Types of Rural Settlements

Different types of settlements in India are determined by factors like the size of the built-up area and the distance between houses. While compact villages with clustered houses are common, especially in the northern plains, there are also other forms of rural settlements in various areas.

These settlement types are influenced by factors such as physical features like terrain and climate, cultural factors including social structure and religion, and security considerations like defence against theft and robbery.

Rural settlements in India can be categorized into four types:

1. Clustered or nucleated settlements
2. Semi-clustered or fragmented settlements
3. Hamleted settlement
4. Dispersed or isolated settlements

1. Clustered, agglomerated, or nucleated: In clustered rural settlements, houses are closely packed together in a compact area. These villages have a clear separation between the living area and the surrounding farms and pastures.

The layout of the houses and streets often follows recognizable patterns like rectangular, radial, or linear shapes. This type of settlement is commonly found in fertile alluvial plains and the northeastern states of India.

2. Semi-clustered or fragmented: Semi-clustered or fragmented settlements may arise when houses cluster in a restricted part of a dispersed settlement. Sometimes, this pattern occurs due to the segregation or fragmentation of a large compact village into smaller units.

3. Hamleted: Hamleted settlements occur when a village is divided into several physically separated units, each with names like panna, para, or angle.

This division is often influenced by social and ethnic factors. Hamlets are frequently found in the middle and lower Ganga Plain, Chhattisgarh, and the lower valleys of the Himalayas.

4. Dispersed or isolated: Dispersed or isolated settlements in India consist of isolated huts or small hamlets scattered across remote jungles or hillsides. This pattern arises due to the fragmented nature of the terrain and land resources.

Class 12 Geography Notes: Types of Rural Settlements is an important topic in CBSE Class 12 Geography. These notes are made by subject experts and cover all the different kinds of rural settlements found in India.

From clustered and semi-clustered settlements to hamleted and dispersed ones, you’ll learn about each type and what makes them different. These notes make it easy to understand with clear explanations and examples. They’re a great resource for students who want to do well in their geography exams.