UPSC Prelims 2016 GS Paper I · Q88 of 100 History medium

With reference to the economic history of medieval India, the term 'Araghatta' refers to

  1. (a) bonded labour
  2. (b) land grants made to military officers
  3. (c) waterwheel used in the irrigation of land ✓ UPSC's answer
  4. (d) wasteland converted to cultivated land

Why the answer is (c)

• Araghatta (Persian wheel / rahat) was a wheel with pots on a chain, turned by animals, used to lift water from wells for irrigation; it spread widely in medieval north India and boosted agriculture — option (c).

• Bonded labour (a) was vishti/begar; military land grants (b) were iqta/jagir; reclaimed wasteland (d) has other terms.

• Hence option (c).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) bonded labour
Bonded labour was called vishti or begar.
(b) land grants made to military officers
Military land grants were iqta or jagir.
(d) wasteland converted to cultivated land
Araghatta is a device, not a land category.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2016, held on 7 August 2016. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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