Types Of Settlement In India

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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:

1. Compact/clustered/nucleated settlement

2. Semi-compact/Semi-clustered/fragmented settlement

3. Hemleted settlement

4. 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 country with a rich and diverse history, and its settlements reflect that. There are many different types of settlements in India, each with its own unique characteristics.

Urban settlements are the most common type of settlement in India. They are characterized by high population density, a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial areas, and a relatively high standard of living. The largest urban settlements in India are the megacities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Rural settlements are located in the countryside and are characterized by low population density, a focus on agriculture, and a relatively low standard of living. Rural settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northern and central parts of the country.
Tribal settlements are located in remote areas and are inhabited by indigenous peoples. Tribal settlements are characterized by their traditional way of life, which is often based on hunting, gathering, and subsistence farming. Tribal settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northeastern and central parts of the country.
Nomadic settlements are inhabited by people who move from place to place, often following seasonal patterns of Migration. Nomadic settlements are characterized by their temporary nature and their lack of permanent Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE. Nomadic settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northwestern and western parts of the country.
Slum settlements are informal settlements that are characterized by poor housing, inadequate sanitation, and lack of access to basic Services. Slum settlements are often located in urban areas and are home to millions of people.
Refugee settlements are temporary settlements that are established to house people who have been displaced from their homes due to war, natural disaster, or other factors. Refugee settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northeastern and eastern parts of the country.
Industrial settlements are located near industrial areas and are characterized by a high concentration of factories and other industrial facilities. Industrial settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northern and western parts of the country.
Commercial settlements are located near commercial areas and are characterized by a high concentration of shops, businesses, and other commercial establishments. Commercial settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the major cities.
Religious settlements are located near religious sites and are characterized by a high concentration of temples, mosques, churches, and other religious buildings. Religious settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northern and western parts of the country.
Military settlements are located near military bases and are characterized by a high concentration of soldiers and other military personnel. Military settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the northern and western parts of the country.
Educational settlements are located near educational institutions and are characterized by a high concentration of schools, colleges, and universities. Educational settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the major cities.
Health settlements are located near hospitals and other healthcare facilities and are characterized by a high concentration of doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Health settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the major cities.
Tourist settlements are located near tourist attractions and are characterized by a high concentration of hotels, restaurants, and other tourist facilities. Tourist settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the major tourist destinations.
Retirement settlements are located near retirement communities and are characterized by a high concentration of retirees. Retirement settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the major cities.
Eco-settlements are sustainable settlements that are designed to minimize their impact on the Environment. Eco-settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the rural areas.
Prison settlements are located near prisons and are characterized by a high concentration of prisoners. Prison settlements can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the major cities.
Ghost towns are abandoned settlements that are no longer inhabited. Ghost towns can be found in all parts of India, but they are most common in the western and northwestern parts of the country.

The types of settlements in India are as diverse as the country itself. Each type of settlement has its own unique characteristics and history.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about types of settlement in India:

What are the different types of settlements in India?

There are four main types of settlements in India: rural, urban, tribal, and peri-urban.

What are the characteristics of rural settlements?

Rural settlements are typically small, with a population of less than 10,000 people. They are often located in agricultural areas and have a strong focus on agriculture.

What are the characteristics of urban settlements?

Urban settlements are typically large, with a population of more than 10,000 people. They are often located in industrial or commercial areas and have a strong focus on non-agricultural activities.

What are the characteristics of tribal settlements?

Tribal settlements are typically small, with a population of less than 10,000 people. They are often located in remote areas and have a strong focus on traditional customs and practices.

What are the characteristics of peri-urban settlements?

Peri-urban settlements are typically located on the outskirts of cities and have a mix of rural and urban characteristics. They are often growing rapidly due to migration from rural areas.

What are the challenges facing settlements in India?

Some of the challenges facing settlements in India include:

Rapid Urbanization: India is one of the most rapidly urbanizing countries in the world, and this is putting a strain on infrastructure and resources.
POVERTY: A large proportion of the population in India lives in poverty, and this can lead to poor housing and sanitation conditions.
Environmental Degradation: Deforestation, pollution, and Climate Change are all having a negative impact on settlements in India.
Conflict: There are a number of conflicts taking place in India, and this can lead to displacement and the destruction of settlements.
What are some of the initiatives that are being taken to address the challenges facing settlements in India?

Some of the initiatives that are being taken to address the challenges facing settlements in India include:

The Swachh Bharat Mission (Clean India Mission): This is a national campaign to improve sanitation and hygiene in India.
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme): This is a scheme to provide affordable housing to the poor in India.
The National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM): This is a scheme to provide EMPLOYMENT and livelihood opportunities to the urban poor in India.
The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM): This is a scheme to provide employment and livelihood opportunities to the rural poor in India.
What are the future prospects for settlements in India?

The future prospects for settlements in India are mixed. On the one hand, there is the potential for rapid economic Growth and development, which could lead to improved living conditions for many people. On the other hand, there are a number of challenges that need to be addressed, such as poverty, environmental degradation, and conflict. It is important to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably and that the challenges are addressed in a sustainable way.

Which of the following is not a type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the most common type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the least common type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the most populous type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the least populous type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the most developed type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the least developed type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the most traditional type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the least traditional type of settlement in India?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement
Which of the following is the most common type of settlement in the world?
(A) Urban settlement
(B) Rural settlement
(C) Tribal settlement
(D) Industrial settlement