Correct Option (B)
The 'Araghata' was an ancient irrigation device primarily used in India. It consisted of a large wheel to which multiple earthen pots were attached around its circumference. As the wheel rotated, these pots would dip into a water source, such as a well or river, fill with water, and then be lifted to a higher level. The water would then empty into channels or troughs, directing it towards agricultural fields for irrigation. The term 'Araghata' is derived from Sanskrit, where 'ara' refers to spokes and 'ghatta' to pots, accurately describing its construction and function.
Incorrect Options
Option 1 describes a water-lifting mechanism often associated with a variant of the Persian wheel (Rahat) or a 'charas', where a large leather bag is pulled by animals over a pulley system. This is distinct from the Araghata's wheel-and-pot design.
Option 3 refers to a method involving a single large earthen pot, which might be lifted manually or with animal assistance, but it lacks the characteristic spoked wheel and multiple pots that define the Araghata.
Option 4 describes a basic manual water-lifting technique using a bucket and rope. While effective for small-scale water drawing, it does not involve the mechanical advantage or continuous operation provided by the wheel-and-pot system of the Araghata.