Q13 · UPSC Prelims 2025 · Set A · History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

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The irrigation device called 'Araghatta' was

A a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley
B a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes
C a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks
D a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

Correct answer: (b) a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

Explanation

  1. A

    a water bag made of leather pulled over a pulley

    A leather bag over a pulley. That is the mot / charsa neighbourhood, not araghatta as keyed.

  2. B

    a large wheel with earthen pots tied to the outer ends of its spokes

    A large wheel with earthen pots on the outer ends of its spokes. That is the official identification of araghatta (the Persian-wheel type noria).

  3. C

    a larger earthen pot driven by bullocks

    A large earthen pot driven by bullocks. Not the wheel-and-pots machine.

  4. D

    a large water bucket pulled up by rope directly by hand

    A bucket pulled up by hand. The coaching trap if you read araghatta as a simple well-bucket.

Summary. Official Set A key is (b). Araghatta in the Indian irrigation record is the pot-garland wheel: a large wheel, pots on the rim, turned to lift water — the Persian-wheel picture. A leather bag on a pulley, a bullock-pot, or a hand bucket are neighbouring lift devices, not the official letter here.

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