History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c24.s6.61

v1.c24.s6.61

A wheel device for drawing water from well is evidenced in the *Ṛgveda*, but its nature cannot be determined precisely. We have to allow margin for regional variations and for improvement and developments, even at a very slow pace. We find several terms, which, in some cases, were not used in their strict sense. *Araghaṭṭa* was the term for the full device. *Ghaṭiyantra* referred to the main part consisting of the wheel and the pitchers. The rotation of the cycle of pitchers is often referred to metaphorically in a number of texts in a philosophical context of the cycle of birth and death (*Kuv.* pp. 227, 277; *Upa. Pr.* pp.16, 418, 723; *Chana. U* comm. II. 15.5; *Br. Su.* II.2.19). The texts mention only those parts of the device which are relevant to their context, hence the negative argument of the absence of reference cannot be carried too far. The functioning of the device is also mentioned in the *Pañcatantra* stories (*Tan*, pp. 142-43; *Pañc.* pp. 231-44), writings of Bāṇa (*Hṣa.* II, p 42; *Kād.* pp. 85, 322), *Mṛcchakaṭikā* (X.59) and *Gathasaptasati* (V. 90). The earliest epigraphic reference to the device is traced in the Mandasore inscription of Yasodharman (A.D. 352). The *Upamitibhavaprapañcakathā* of Siddharṣi (A.D. 906) gives a detailed account of the various parts of the device and its functioning.