Question

Text Material:
Agricultural practices often involve some technique of irrigation. Wholly or partly irrigated crops were raised thanks to canals, smaller channels or reservoirs such as village tanks. Reservoirs also served the purpose of water harvesting to cope with the dry seasons or prolonged droughts. The simplest form of irrigation consisted in having a pair of bullocks pull a leather bag out of a well; the bag would tilt over the edge of the well and empty its content into a small channel.
(i) Based on the text extract given above – Comment on the irrigation methods practiced in ancient and contemporary India.

Hint:

Ancient irrigation methods were rooted in sustainability—modern systems must learn to conserve while they deliver.

Answer 1

Irrigation has been a crucial aspect of Indian agriculture for centuries, and both ancient and modern methods reflect the ingenuity and adaptability of Indian farmers to diverse climatic conditions. Irrigation in Ancient India:

Farmers developed techniques suited to local geography—such as canals from rivers, small field channels, step wells, and tanks (village reservoirs).
In arid areas, water harvesting structures like khadins, ahars, and eris collected and conserved rainwater for later use.
The leather bag mechanism mentioned in the text—moat or rahat system—used animal power to draw water from wells, showing early forms of mechanized lifting.
Such systems were sustainable, decentralized, and community-managed, ensuring equitable water distribution.
Irrigation in Contemporary India:

Modern India employs large-scale irrigation through dams, canals, tube wells, and pumps (electric or diesel).
Technological innovations have introduced drip irrigation and sprinkler systems to reduce water usage and improve efficiency, especially in water-scarce regions.
Government initiatives like PM-KUSUM and More Crop Per Drop aim to modernize irrigation and promote water conservation.
Comparison:

Ancient methods were low-cost, eco-friendly, and labor-intensive; modern systems are high-cost, technology-driven, and scalable.
Contemporary methods offer better control and wider reach but can lead to over-extraction of groundwater and ecological imbalances.
A combination of traditional wisdom and modern innovation is now being promoted for sustainable agriculture.
Thus, the evolution of irrigation in India reflects a blend of tradition and technology—each playing a key role in supporting the country’s agrarian economy.