Rural settlements refer to the places where people live in villages and engage primarily in agriculture, animal husbandry, or other primary activities. In India, rural settlements are shaped by various physical, economic, cultural, and historical factors, resulting in a wide diversity of types, patterns, and morphological features.
Table of Contents
1. Types of Rural Settlements
Based on location, distribution of dwellings, and population, rural settlements in India are classified into the following types:
- Clustered or Nucleated Settlements
- Houses are grouped together in a compact area.
- Common in fertile plains and river valleys such as the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
- Examples: Villages in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab.
- Semi-clustered or Fragmented Settlements
- Settlements are partially grouped, often due to social divisions like caste.
- Found in areas undergoing transition from clustered to dispersed patterns.
- Common in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
- Dispersed Settlements
- Houses are scattered over a large area.
- Common in hilly, tribal, or forested regions.
- Seen in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.
- Linear Settlements
- Houses are aligned along a road, river, or railway line.
- Found in coastal areas, riverbanks, and transport corridors.
- Examples: Villages along Konkan Coast, Ganga River.
2. Patterns of Rural Settlements
Settlement patterns are shaped by topography, water sources, and land use.
- Rectangular Pattern
- Roads and streets intersect at right angles.
- Common in plains and planned settlements, such as in parts of Punjab.
- Circular Pattern
- Houses are built around a central feature like a pond, temple, or market.
- Seen in arid regions or areas with a common water source.
- Linear Pattern
- Settlement follows the shape of valleys, roads, or coastlines.
- Observed in mountainous and coastal regions.
- Radial Pattern
- Houses spread outward from a central point like a road intersection or market.
- Less common, but seen in expanding villages.
- Irregular Pattern
- Unplanned, evolved settlements with no definite shape.
- Found in tribal areas or old rural regions.
3. Morphology of Rural Settlements
Morphology refers to the physical layout and structure of a village, including its shape, street pattern, and building types.
- Village Site: Determined by physical features like rivers, forests, and elevation.
- Examples: Wet point villages near water, dry point villages on higher ground.
- House Types: Reflect climatic conditions, materials available, and cultural practices.
- In Rajasthan, houses are built with thick walls and flat roofs.
- In Kerala, sloped roofs with tiles protect from heavy rainfall.
- Street Pattern: May be straight, curved, or random.
- In planned settlements, grid-like patterns are visible.
- In older villages, narrow and winding lanes are common.
- Community Spaces: Include wells, temples, panchayat buildings, ponds, and markets, often located centrally.
Conclusion
Rural settlements in India are a reflection of the country’s geographical diversity, cultural heritage, and historical evolution. The types, patterns, and morphological features of these settlements vary significantly across regions. Understanding these aspects is essential for rural development planning, infrastructure provisioning, and socio-economic upliftment.