<–2/”>a >Settlement can be defined as any form of human habitation which ranges from a single dwelling to large city. The word settlement has another connotation as well as this is a process of opening up and settling of a previously uninhabited area by the people. In geography this process is also known as occupancy.
Settlements can broadly be divided into two types – rural and urban. Before discussing about meaning and types of rural and urban settlement in India, we should know some basic differences between rural and urban areas in general. (i) The major difference between rural and urban areas is the function. Rural areas have predominantly primary activities, whereas urban areas have domination of secondary and tertiary activities. (ii) Generally the rural areas have low density of Population than urban.
Types of Rural Settlements:
Geographers have suggested various schemes of Classification. If we group settlements found all over the country, these can broadly be grouped under four categories:
- Compact/clustered/nucleated settlement
- Semi-compact/Semi-clustered/fragmented settlement
- Hemleted settlement
- Dispersed settlement
Compact Settlements:
- As the name suggests, these settlements have closely built up area. Therefore in such settlements all the dwellings are concentrated in one central sites and these inhabited area is distinct and separated from the farms and pastures.
- Maximum settlements of our country comes under this category. They are spread over almost every part of the country.
- These settlements are distributed over the entire northern Indo-Ganga plain (from Punjab in the north-west to West Bengal in the east), Orissa coast, basins of Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh, coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh, cauvery delta of Tamil Nadu, Maidaus of Karnataka, lower Assam and Tripura, in the valleys of Siwaliks etc.
- Sometimes people live in compact settlement for security or defence purpose. The greatest example of this type is in Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
- In Rajasthan also people live in compact settlement because of the scarce availability of cultivable land and water body. Therefore, they want to make maximum use of available natural Resources.
Semi compact Settlement:
As the name suggests, the dwellings or houses are not well-knitted. Such settlements are characterized by a small but compact nuclears around which hamlets are dispersed.
- It covers more area than the compact settlements.
- These settlements are found both in plains and plateaus depending upon the environmental conditions prevailing in that area.
- Such settlements are situated along streams in Manipur Mandla and Balaghat districts of Madhya Pradesh, and Rajgarh district of Chhattisgarh. Different tribal groups inhabit such settlements in the Chhota Nagpur region. In Nagaland, such settlements may be in the form of blushing villages.
Hamleted Settlements:
These type of settlements, are fragmented into several small units. The main settlement does not have much influence on the other units. Very often the original site is not easily distinguishable and these hamlets are often spread over the area with intervening fields. This segregation is often influenced by social and ethnic factors. The hamlets are locally named as faliya, para, dhana, dhani, nanglay etc. These settlements are generally found in West Bengal, eastern Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and coastal plains. Geographically it covers lower Ganga plain, lower valleys of the Himalayas and central plateau or upland region of the country.
Dispersed Settlements:
This is also known as isolated settlements. Here the settlement is characterized by units of small size which may consist of a single house to a small group of houses. It varies from two to seven huts. Therefore, in this type, hamlets are scattered over a vast area and does not have any specific pattern. Such type of settlements are found in tribal areas of central part of India covering Chhota Nagpur plateau, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, etc. Such patterns are also common in the hills of north Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
There are three factors that influence the type of settlements in India. These factors are (i) Physical (ii) Ethnic or cultural and (iii) Historical or defence. Let us discuss these factors one by one.
Physical Factors:
These include relief, altitude, Soil capability, Climate, drainage, ground water level, etc. These factors influence the type and spacing of dwelling or instance, in dry regions of Rajasthan, water is a crucial factor and, therefore, houses are situated along a pond or well which guides the compactness of the settlement.
Ethnic and Cultural Factors:
These include aspects like caste, community, ethnicity and religion. In India it is commonly found that the main land owning caste resides at the centre of the village and the other service providing castes on the periphery. This leads to social segregation and fragmentation of a settlement into several units
Historical or Defence Factors:
In the past, mostly border areas of northwestern plains were conquered or attacked frequently by outsiders. For a long time, apart from attack from outsiders, there had been continuous fight between princely states and kingdom within the country therefore, security concerns favoured the evolution of nucleated settlements.
Type of urban settlement:
Like rural settlements, urban settlements are classified on various bases. However, classification based on size and function are most common. Let us discuss them one by one
Classification based on Population Size
According to population size, Census Of India classifies urban centres into six classes. Classwise urban settlements and their population
Class Population
Class I 1,00,000 and above
Class II 50,000 – 99,999
Class III 20,000 – 49,999
Class IV 10,000 – 19,999
Class V 5,000 – 9,999
Class VI less than 5,000
There is another classification of urban settlements. The classification is as follows:
Town Places which have less than one lakh population
City Urban centres having population between one lakh to one million.
Metropolitan Cities Cities having population in between one million to five million
Mega cities Cities having more than 5 million population,
India is a land of contrasts, with a wide variety of settlements ranging from bustling metropolitan cities to remote rural villages. The country’s population is over 1.3 billion, making it the second most populous country in the world. India is also one of the world’s fastest growing economies, and its cities are expanding rapidly.
There are many different types of settlements in India, each with its own unique characteristics. Hill stations are popular tourist destinations, located in the foothills of the Himalayas. These towns are known for their cool climate, beautiful scenery, and colonial architecture. Metropolitan cities are the largest and most populous cities in India. They are centers of commerce, Industry, and culture. Megacities are even larger than metropolitan cities, with populations of over 10 million people. Tier-1 cities are the most developed and prosperous cities in India. They are home to major businesses, universities, and cultural institutions. Tier-2 cities are smaller than tier-1 cities, but they are still important centers of commerce and industry. Tier-3 cities are smaller still, but they are growing rapidly. Tier-4 cities are the smallest cities in India, and they are often located in rural areas.
Rural areas make up the majority of India’s land area, but they are home to only a small Percentage of the population. Rural areas are characterized by agriculture, small villages, and a slower pace of life. Urban areas are home to the majority of India’s population. They are characterized by industry, commerce, and a fast-paced lifestyle. Slums are informal settlements that lack basic Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE such as sanitation, water, and electricity. They are often located in urban areas, and they are home to millions of people. Informal settlements are not recognized by the government, and they are often subject to demolition. Resettlement colonies are housing projects that are built by the government to provide housing for people who have been displaced by development projects. New towns are planned communities that are built from scratch. Garden cities are urban areas that are designed to be environmentally friendly. Satellite towns are smaller towns that are located near larger cities. Eco-cities are cities that are designed to be sustainable and environmentally friendly. Smart Cities are cities that use technology to improve the Quality Of Life for their residents. Smart villages are villages that use technology to improve the quality of life for their residents.
India’s diverse population and geography have led to a wide variety of settlements. Each type of settlement has its own unique characteristics and challenges. The government of India is working to improve the quality of life in all types of settlements, but there is still much work to be done.
One of the biggest challenges facing India’s settlements is the lack of adequate infrastructure. Many rural areas lack access to basic Services such as electricity, water, and sanitation. Urban areas are also facing challenges, such as traffic congestion, Air Pollution, and inadequate housing. The government is working to address these challenges, but it is a slow process.
Another challenge facing India’s settlements is the rapid pace of Urbanization. The country’s population is growing rapidly, and many people are moving from rural areas to cities in search of better opportunities. This is putting a strain on urban infrastructure and resources. The government is trying to manage the Growth of cities, but it is a difficult task.
Despite the challenges, India’s settlements are also full of potential. The country has a young and growing population, and its economy is expanding rapidly. This means that there are many opportunities for development in India’s settlements. The government is working to create a more equitable and sustainable future for all Indians, and its efforts are starting to pay off.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the type of settlement of India:
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What are the different types of settlements in India?
There are three main types of settlements in India: rural, urban, and tribal. Rural settlements are small villages with a population of less than 20,000 people. Urban settlements are larger cities with a population of more than 20,000 people. Tribal settlements are small communities of indigenous people who live in remote areas. -
What are the characteristics of each type of settlement?
Rural settlements are typically characterized by small, close-knit communities. People in rural areas often work in agriculture or other manual labor jobs. Urban settlements are characterized by large populations, high levels of industrialization, and a diverse range of jobs. Tribal settlements are characterized by their isolation from mainstream Society and their unique cultures and traditions. -
What are the challenges facing each type of settlement?
Rural settlements face a number of challenges, including POVERTY, lack of access to Education and healthcare, and poor infrastructure. Urban settlements face challenges such as pollution, crime, and traffic congestion. Tribal settlements face challenges such as discrimination, lack of access to resources, and threats to their traditional way of life. -
What are the opportunities for each type of settlement?
Rural settlements have the opportunity to develop their economies through agriculture, tourism, and other industries. Urban settlements have the opportunity to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and reduce pollution. Tribal settlements have the opportunity to preserve their culture and traditions, and to develop their economies through Sustainable Development. -
What is the future of each type of settlement?
The future of rural settlements depends on their ability to develop their economies and improve their infrastructure. The future of urban settlements depends on their ability to reduce pollution and improve their quality of life. The future of tribal settlements depends on their ability to preserve their culture and traditions, and to develop their economies through sustainable development.
Question 1
The first humans to settle in India were:
(A) The Aryans
(B) The Dravidians
(C) The Indus Valley Civilization
(D) The Mughals
Answer
(B) The Dravidians
The Dravidians were the first humans to settle in India. They are believed to have arrived in India around 10,000 years ago. The Dravidians were a group of people who spoke a language called Dravidian. They were skilled farmers and traders. They built many cities and towns. The Dravidians were eventually conquered by the Aryans, but their culture and language have survived to this day.
Question 2
The Aryans were a group of people who:
(A) Settled in India around 10,000 years ago
(B) Spoke a language called Dravidian
(C) Built many cities and towns
(D) Conquered the Dravidians
Answer
(D) Conquered the Dravidians
The Aryans were a group of people who settled in India around 1500 BC. They spoke a language called Sanskrit. The Aryans were skilled warriors and farmers. They conquered the Dravidians and established their own kingdom in India. The Aryans brought their culture and language to India, which had a profound impact on the development of Indian Society.
Question 3
The Indus Valley Civilization was:
(A) A civilization that flourished in India around 3000 BC
(B) A civilization that was built by the Aryans
(C) A civilization that was built by the Dravidians
(D) A civilization that was destroyed by the Aryans
Answer
(A) A civilization that flourished in India around 3000 BC
The Indus Valley Civilization was a civilization that flourished in India around 3000 BC. It was one of the earliest civilizations in the world. The Indus Valley Civilization was located in the Indus River Valley, which is now part of Pakistan and India. The Indus Valley Civilization was a very advanced civilization. They had a complex system of writing, they built large cities, and they had a sophisticated system of agriculture. The Indus Valley Civilization declined around 1900 BC. The cause of its decline is not known.
Question 4
The Mughals were a group of people who:
(A) Settled in India around 10,000 years ago
(B) Spoke a language called Dravidian
(C) Built many cities and towns
(D) Conquered India in the 16th century
Answer
(D) Conquered India in the 16th century
The Mughals were a group of people who conquered India in the 16th century. They were a Muslim dynasty that ruled over India for over 300 years. The Mughals were a very powerful dynasty. They built many beautiful buildings, including the Taj Mahal. The Mughals were also patrons of the arts and sciences. They promoted education and scholarship. The Mughal Empire declined in the 18th century. The cause of its decline is not known.
Question 5
India is a country that is:
(A) Located in South Asia
(B) A member of the Commonwealth of Nations
(C) The world’s largest Democracy
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above
India is a country that is located in South Asia. It is the world’s second most populous country, after China. India is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. India is also the world’s largest democracy. India is a diverse country with a rich history and culture.