History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c32.s2.t9.2

v1.c32.s2.t9.2

To make an enquiry into their evolution, it would be difficult, because different devices ranging from the simple basket to the water-wheel had no doubt been used in olden days side by side and remained in practice up to the present day. The first known mechanical aid practised in ancient India was the bucket-wheel or the water-wheel. The earliest evidence of the existence of water- lifting devices is furnished by the antiquities unearthed from the Mohenjo-daro and Harappa excavations. Sir John Marshall who studied the pottery evidences from Mohenjo-daro expresses his opinion about the possible use of pottery for water-wheels (Marshall, 1931, I, p. 318). His view amply finds corroboration in the remarks advanced by Ernest Mackay who says that, “though there is no direct evidence that the water-wheel was known to the people of the Indus Valley the shape and make of these jars certainly suggest that why such a number were made and broken” (Mackay, 1948, p. 120). It is thus quite discernible that some technically advanced devices were put into practical use during that period.