A Persian-wheel system for raising water

Watercolour of a Persian-wheel from 'Views by Seeta Ram from Mohumdy to Gheen Vol. V' produced for Lord Moira, afterwards the Marquess of Hastings, by Sita Ram between 1814-15. Marquess of Hastings, the Governor-General of Bengal and the Commander-in-Chief (r. 1813-23), was accompanied by artist Sita Ram (flourished c.1810-22) to illustrate his journey from Calcutta to Delhi between 1814-15.

Illustration of a Persian-wheel system for raising water, being driven by a pair of oxen, with the cantonments of Saharanpur and Lord Moira's encampment in the distance. A Persian wheel is a system of a chain of buckets slung round a vertical wheel, which is turned by a system of cogs and interlocking wheels powered here by a pair of oxen driven in a circle. The Persian wheel system or 'harat' was common in the western part of Saharanpur district. Inscribed below: 'Saharanpore with a Persian wheel for raising water.'