Human Settlement

Human settlement refers to the cluster of dwellings of any type or size where people live. Settlements vary in size and type, ranging from small villages to large metropolitan cities. The nature of settlements changes with size, economic activities, social structure, ecology, and technology.

Types of Rural Settlement

Rural settlements are generally small and sparsely spaced, primarily engaged in agriculture and related activities. The types of rural settlements in India are determined by the extent of built-up area and the distance between houses. The main types include:

• Clustered Settlement: Houses are built close together forming a compact area. This pattern is common in the Northern Plains and is often for security reasons, such as in Bundelkhand and Nagaland.
• Semi-Clustered or Fragmented Settlement: These settlements are partially grouped and may be fragmented into several units physically separated but bearing a common name. Examples include villages in Gujarat plains, Rajasthan, middle and lower Ganga plains, Chhattisgarh, and Himalayan valleys.
• Hamleted Settlement: Small groups of houses with separate identities but related socially or economically.
• Dispersed Settlement: Houses are spread far apart, often found in remote jungles or hilly areas such as Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Kerala.

Factors Governing Types of Rural Settlements:

• Physical features: Terrain, altitude, climate, and water availability.
• Cultural and ethnic factors: Social structure, caste, and religion.
• Security factors: Protection against theft and robbery.

Exam Questions

Q1: What are the main types of rural settlements in India?

Answer: The main types are clustered, semi-clustered (fragmented), hamleted, and dispersed settlements.

Q2: Name three factors that influence the type of rural settlement.

Answer: Physical features, cultural and ethnic factors, and security considerations.

Evolution of Towns in India

Towns in India have evolved since prehistoric times and can be classified based on their historical periods:

• Ancient Towns: Towns like Harappa and Mohenjodaro from the Indus Valley Civilization, and others such as Varanasi, which have religious and cultural significance.
• Medieval Towns: Developed as administrative, military, and trade centers, often fort towns built on ancient town ruins. Examples include Delhi and other princely state headquarters.
• Modern Towns: Developed during British and European rule, primarily as trading ports and administrative centers, such as Mumbai, Surat, Daman, Goa, and Puducherry.

Exam Questions

Q1: What distinguishes ancient towns from medieval towns in India?

Answer: Ancient towns have roots in prehistoric and early historic periods with cultural and religious importance, while medieval towns developed as administrative and military centers, often as forts.

Q2: Give examples of modern towns developed during British rule.

Answer: Mumbai, Surat, Daman, Goa, and Puducherry.

Urbanisation in India

Urbanisation refers to the increasing proportion of people living in urban areas. In India, the level of urbanisation was 31.16% in 2011, which is low compared to developed countries. Urban growth is driven by the enlargement of existing urban centers and the emergence of new towns.

Urban centres are classified based on population size:

• Town: Population less than 100,000.
• City or Class I Town: Population between 100,000 and 1 million.
• Metropolitan City: Population between 1 million and 5 million.
• Mega City: Population over 5 million.

Urban agglomerations are extended city areas comprising a central place and its suburbs linked by continuous urban development. India has 53 metropolitan cities, including six mega cities where over 21% of the urban population resides.

Exam Questions

Q1: What is the level of urbanisation in India as per the 2011 census?

Answer: 31.16% of the population lives in urban areas.

Q2: Define urban agglomeration.

Answer: An urban agglomeration is an extended city area comprising the built-up area of a central place and its suburbs linked by continuous urban development.

Functional Classification of Towns

Towns and cities in India perform various specialised functions apart from being central places. The main functional types include:

• Administrative Towns: Headquarters of administrative units, e.g., Chandigarh, New Delhi.
• Industrial Towns: Centers of industrial activity, e.g., Mumbai.
• Transport Cities: Ports and transport hubs engaged in import-export, e.g., Kandla, Kozhikode.
• Commercial Towns: Specialised in trade and commerce.
• Mining Towns: Located in mineral-rich areas, e.g., Raniganj.
• Garrison or Cantonment Towns: Military towns where troops are stationed, e.g., Ambala.
• Educational Towns: Centers of education that have grown into major campus towns, e.g., Roorkee.
• Religious and Cultural Towns: Known for religious or cultural significance, e.g., Varanasi, Mathura, Amritsar, Puri.
• Tourist Towns: Popular tourist destinations, e.g., Nainital, Shimla, Ooty.

Functions of towns can change over time due to their dynamic nature.

Exam Questions

Q1: Name three types of functional towns in India.

Answer: Administrative towns, industrial towns, and religious towns.

Q2: What is a garrison town?

Answer: A garrison town is a military area where troops are stationed, such as Ambala.

Solved Examples

Example 1: Explain why clustered settlements are common in the Northern Plains of India.

Solution: Clustered settlements are common in the Northern Plains due to fertile land, availability of water, and the need for security. The compact nature helps in defense against theft and robbery.

Example 2: Differentiate between a town and a city based on population size.

Solution: A town has a population of less than 100,000, whereas a city has a population between 100,000 and 1 million.

Practice Set

Easy

• Define human settlement.
• What is a dispersed rural settlement?

Moderate

• List the factors influencing types of rural settlements in India.
• Explain the difference between ancient and medieval towns.

Challenging

• Discuss the functional classification of towns with examples.
• Describe the process and impact of urbanisation in India.

Answer Key

Easy

• Human settlement is a cluster of dwellings where people live.
• Dispersed rural settlement is a pattern where houses are spread far apart, often in remote or hilly areas.

Moderate

• Factors include physical features, cultural and ethnic factors, and security considerations.
• Ancient towns have cultural and religious roots; medieval towns developed as administrative and military centers.

Challenging

• Towns are classified as administrative, industrial, transport, commercial, mining, garrison, educational, religious, and tourist towns. Examples: Chandigarh (administrative), Mumbai (industrial), Kandla (transport).
• Urbanisation is the growth of urban population due to migration and expansion of towns, leading to economic growth but also challenges like congestion.

Quick Reference

• Human Settlement: Cluster of dwellings where people live.
• Rural Settlements: Clustered, semi-clustered, hamleted, dispersed.
• Urban Settlements: Towns and cities with non-agricultural activities.
• Urbanisation: Increase in urban population percentage.
• Functional Towns: Administrative, industrial, transport, commercial, mining, garrison, educational, religious, tourist.

Glossary

• Human Settlement: A place where people live, ranging from small villages to large cities.
• Clustered Settlement: Houses built close together forming a compact area.
• Semi-Clustered Settlement: Partially grouped houses, sometimes fragmented into units.
• Dispersed Settlement: Houses spread far apart, often in remote areas.
• Urban Agglomeration: Extended city area including suburbs linked by continuous urban development.
• Garrison: Military area where troops are stationed.
• Urbanisation: Growth in the proportion of people living in urban areas.

Time Period / Year	Event / Change	Importance
3000 BCE	Development of early cities in Indus Valley, Mesopotamia, Egypt	First well-developed urban settlements
Ancient Period	Existence of towns like Varanasi	Religious and cultural centers
Medieval Period	Development of fort towns and administrative centers	Political and military importance
18th Century onwards	Growth of modern towns under British rule	Trade and administrative hubs
2011	Urbanisation level at 31.16%	Indicates growth of urban population