Spinner's wheel (Charkha)

The Spinner's wheel, or charkha, is a device used to spin natural fibers like cotton into thread or yarn. It consists of a wheel mounted on a spindle; as you turn the wheel, it rotates the spindle, twisting fibers together into a continuous thread. This manual process enables individuals to produce their own yarn for weaving textiles, promoting self-sufficiency. The charkha historically symbolizes Indian independence and craftsmanship, but technically, it is a simple yet effective tool that harnesses mechanical advantage to transform raw fibers into usable yarn efficiently.