With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to
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- Abonded labour
- Bland grant made to military officers
- Cwaterwheel used in the irrigation of land
- Dwasteland converted to cultivated land
Show answer
Answer: (C) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
Answer: (c) Waterwheel used in the irrigation of land
'Araghatta' (also 'Ara-ghatta') was a Persian wheel or water-lifting device used for irrigation in medieval India.
Breaking down the word:
'Ara' = spoke (of a wheel),
'Ghatta' = pot.
So Araghatta = a wheel with pots attached.
This device lifted water from open wells using a chain of pots that scooped water as the wheel turned, powered by bullocks.
Why not the others?
(a) Bonded labour - No connection to the term.
(b) Land grant to military officers - Military land grants had different names (like 'iqta' in Delhi Sultanate).
(d) Wasteland to cultivated land - Different terms used for this process.
Source: R.S. Sharma's 'Early Medieval Indian Society.' A difficult question, but the word 'ghatta' (pot) could hint at a water-related device.
The Araghatta was a Persian wheel irrigation system that used bullock power to lift water from wells through a chain of pots, enabling agriculture in areas without natural water flow.
UPSC tests obscure technical terms from medieval economic history to check depth of preparation beyond mainstream political events and dynasties.
Araghatta (Persian Wheel)
Ancient And Medieval History Araghatta
Araghatta: Medieval India's Water-Lifting Technology
Araghatta = Persian wheel or water-lifting device used for irrigation in medieval India
Etymology: Ara (spoke of wheel) + Ghatta (pot) = wheel with pots attached
Powered by bullocks, lifted water from open wells using chain of pots
What is Araghatta?
The Araghatta was a crucial irrigation technology in medieval India, essentially a Persian wheel that mechanized water lifting from wells. The name itself reveals its design: Ara means the spoke of a wheel, while Ghatta refers to a pot or vessel.
How Araghatta Works
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Bullock Power**
**Bullocks** or oxen rotate the horizontal wheel`"]
s2["`**Gear System**
Horizontal wheel drives a **vertical wheel** through wooden gears`"]
s3["`**Chain of Pots**
Vertical wheel has **earthen pots** attached in a continuous chain`"]
s4["`**Water Lifting**
Pots **scoop water** from well as they go down, empty at top`"]
s5["`**Irrigation**
Water flows into **irrigation channels** to fields`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Persian Wheel Mechanism
Source: LotusArise — UPSC Prelims Research: Medieval Indian History 2025 » LotusArise IAS · lotusarise.com
Question Context
This question tests knowledge of specific medieval economic terminology. The word Ghatta (pot) provides a crucial hint that this device is water-related, not connected to land grants or labor systems.
Don't confuse Araghatta with Iqta (land grants to military officers in Delhi Sultanate)
Ghatta = pot is the key etymological hint - connects to water, not land or labor
Persian wheel and Araghatta are the same device - don't treat as different technologies
Medieval Irrigation Technologies
Ancient And Medieval History
Water-Lifting & Irrigation Systems in Medieval India
Medieval India used multiple water-lifting technologies for irrigation beyond Araghatta
Wells, tanks, canals formed the backbone of medieval irrigation infrastructure
Different regions developed region-specific technologies based on water availability
Medieval Water-Lifting Devices
Device | Power Source | Mechanism | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|
Araghatta (Persian Wheel) | Bullocks/Oxen | Wheel with chain of pots | Deep open wells |
Charkhis | Human/Animal | Pulley system with leather bags | Moderate depth wells |
Dhenkli | Human power | Lever-based water lift | Shallow wells, temporary use |
Rehat | Bullocks | Horizontal wheel with buckets | Open wells in North India |
Medieval Irrigation Infrastructure
# Medieval Irrigation
## Water Sources
- Wells (kupa)
- Tanks (talab)
- Rivers
- Monsoon harvest
## Lifting Technology
- Araghatta
- Charkhis
- Dhenkli
- Rehat
## Distribution
- Canals (nahr)
- Field channels
- Bunds
- Sluices
## Management
- Village panchayats
- Royal officials
- Community cooperation
- Water sharing rulesRegional Variations
North India: Persian wheels and canals dominated, especially in Punjab and Haryana
South India: Tank irrigation systems were more common, with elaborate temple tank networks
Deccan: Combination of wells and seasonal tanks due to black soil and irregular rainfall
Gujarat: Advanced well-digging techniques with step-wells (baolis) for water storage
Medieval Land Grant Systems
Ancient And Medieval History land grant made to military officers
Land Grants to Military Officers in Medieval India
Iqta was the main system of land grants to military officers in Delhi Sultanate
Jagir system continued this practice under Mughals with modifications
These were revenue assignments, not ownership of land
Medieval Land Grant Systems
System | Period | Given To | Nature | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Iqta | Delhi Sultanate | Military officers (Muqtis) | Revenue assignment | Non-hereditary, transferable |
Jagir | Mughal Empire | Mansabdars | Revenue collection right | Based on rank (zat & sawar) |
Khalisa | Both periods | Direct royal control | Crown lands | Revenue goes to royal treasury |
Inam | Various periods | Scholars, nobles | Tax-free grants | For services or charity |
Iqta System Working
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Sultan assigns Iqta**
**Sultan** grants revenue rights of a territory to a military officer`"]
s2["`**Muqti collects revenue**
**Muqti** (iqta holder) collects land revenue from assigned area`"]
s3["`**Military obligations**
Muqti maintains **fixed number of soldiers** from this revenue`"]
s4["`**Surplus to Sultan**
After military expenses, **surplus revenue** goes to Sultan's treasury`"]
s5["`**Transfer system**
Sultan regularly **transfers** muqtis to prevent local power concentration`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Iqta ≠ land ownership - it was only revenue collection rights, not property ownership
Don't confuse Jagir (Mughal) with Iqta (Sultanate) - similar concept, different periods
Muqti = Iqta holder, Jagirdar = Jagir holder - match the terminology to the period
Medieval Agricultural Terms
Ancient And Medieval History bonded labour wasteland converted to cultivated land
Key Agricultural Terms in Medieval India
Medieval texts used specific Sanskrit/Persian terms for different types of land and labor
Land classification determined tax rates and cultivation methods
Labor categories ranged from free peasants to various forms of bonded service
Land Classification Terms
Term | Meaning | Tax Status | Usage Period |
|---|---|---|---|
Polaj | Annually cultivated fertile land | Highest tax rate | Mughal administration |
Parauti | Land left fallow cyclically | Reduced tax rate | Mughal administration |
Chachar | Land lying fallow 3-4 years | Lower tax rate | Mughal administration |
Banjar | Wasteland/uncultivated for 5+ years | Lowest/no tax | Mughal administration |
Kharab | Land damaged by natural calamities | Tax exemption | Various periods |
Labor System Terms
Term | Type of Labor | Characteristics | Regional Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
Vetti | Forced labor | Unpaid work for state/landlords | South India |
Begari | Compulsory labor | Unpaid public works | North India |
Kamiya | Bonded labor | Debt-based servitude | Eastern India |
Kisan/Raiyat | Free peasant | Cultivator with land rights | All regions |
Land Reclamation Process
Wasteland conversion involved clearing forests, building irrigation, and settling peasants
Tax incentives given for bringing banjar (wasteland) under cultivation
Pioneer peasants often received temporary tax exemptions for land reclamation efforts
State support included advances for seeds, tools, and bullocks to new cultivators
Banjar specifically means wasteland - don't confuse with other land types like parauti (cyclical fallow)
Vetti and begari both mean forced labor but are regional terms - vetti in South, begari in North
Polaj = best land with highest tax, Banjar = worst land with lowest tax - remember the spectrum