Types of Villages in India

Villages form the foundation of India’s socio-economic and cultural structure, representing the primary units of rural life and development. With nearly 65% of the population living in rural areas (Census 2011), villages remain integral to India’s agrarian economy, local governance, and traditional community systems. The classification of villages in India is based on a variety of factors including administrative structure, population size, settlement pattern, economic activity, and geographical features. These classifications help policymakers and planners implement rural development schemes effectively and ensure equitable distribution of resources.

Historical Context

The Indian village has long been regarded as a self-sufficient unit of administration, production, and social organisation. In ancient and medieval periods, villages functioned under local councils (sabhas or panchayats), managing land, water, and community resources collectively. The British colonial administration introduced systematic surveys and revenue records, leading to the formal recognition of village boundaries and administrative classifications.
Post-independence, rural planning and development programmes—such as the Community Development Programme (1952), Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP), and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)—relied on accurate classification of villages for effective implementation.

Classification Based on Administrative Structure

India’s villages are administratively defined and managed under the Panchayati Raj system, established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992). The three-tier structure includes:

1. Gram Panchayat – at the village level.
2. Panchayat Samiti – at the block or intermediate level.
3. Zila Parishad – at the district level.

Types of Villages by Administrative Status

• Revenue Village: The basic administrative unit with defined boundaries, recognised by the state government for land and taxation purposes. A revenue village may comprise one or more small hamlets.
• Panchayat Village: Governed by an elected Gram Panchayat; may include multiple habitations or hamlets under one jurisdiction.
• Census Village: Defined by the Census of India for demographic and statistical purposes; usually corresponds with revenue boundaries but may differ for data convenience.

Classification Based on Population Size

The Census of India categorises villages according to population size, which is a crucial determinant for service delivery, infrastructure development, and eligibility for rural schemes.

Larger villages often display greater infrastructure, markets, and non-farm employment, while smaller ones depend primarily on subsistence agriculture and local resources.

Classification Based on Settlement Pattern

Settlement patterns in villages are influenced by geography, land use, climate, and social organisation. India exhibits a wide variety of rural settlement types.

1. Compact or Nucleated Villages

• Houses are clustered together, often around a central feature like a temple, well, or market.
• Common in the Indo-Gangetic plains, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
• Advantages: social cohesion, security, and efficient use of land.

2. Dispersed or Scattered Villages

• Houses and farms are spread out, often separated by agricultural fields or natural barriers.
• Common in hilly regions (Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), tribal areas (Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), and forest belts.
• Reflects topographical constraints and subsistence farming practices.

3. Linear Villages

• Settlement develops along a road, river, canal, or railway line.
• Found in coastal areas, river valleys, and transport corridors (e.g., Kerala’s backwater settlements).

4. Checkerboard or Rectangular Villages

• Planned settlements with straight streets intersecting at right angles.
• Found in parts of Punjab and Haryana, where villages were restructured during land consolidation.

5. Circular or Radial Villages

• Houses are arranged in a circular pattern around a central open space or water source.
• Seen in Rajasthan and Gujarat, often in semi-arid zones.

Classification Based on Economic Activity

The economic base of a village determines its occupational structure and level of prosperity.

1. Agricultural Villages

• Predominantly dependent on crop cultivation, animal husbandry, and allied activities.
• Most common type across India; examples include villages in the Ganga–Yamuna Doab and Deccan Plateau.

2. Pastoral Villages

• Rely mainly on livestock rearing—sheep, goats, or cattle.
• Found in Rajasthan (Marwar, Bikaner), Gujarat (Kutch), and Himachal Pradesh.

3. Fishing Villages

• Situated along coastal belts or rivers; primary livelihood is fishing and related trades.
• Found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, and Odisha.

4. Mining and Industrial Villages

• Economically centred around mining or small-scale industries.
• Examples: Jharia (Jharkhand) for coal, Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh) for power, and Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh) for brassware.

5. Horticultural and Plantation Villages

• Engage in fruit cultivation, floriculture, or plantation crops.
• Found in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Kerala (tea, rubber), and Assam (tea gardens).

Classification Based on Geographic Location

The physical geography of India gives rise to distinct regional village types:

Classification Based on Development and Infrastructure

The Ministry of Rural Development and the Census of India classify villages according to their access to amenities such as roads, schools, healthcare, electricity, and water supply.

1. Developed Villages:
   • Well-connected, electrified, with schools, markets, and healthcare centres.
   • Often located near urban areas; examples: parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
2. Developing Villages:
   • Possess basic infrastructure but lack higher education, healthcare, or industries.
   • Found in transition zones between rural and semi-urban regions.
3. Backward or Underdeveloped Villages:
   • Limited infrastructure, low literacy, poor connectivity, and reliance on subsistence farming.
   • Concentrated in parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and North-Eastern states.

Classification Based on Social and Cultural Aspects

Villages also reflect diverse social structures and cultural practices:

• Caste-based Villages: Traditional settlement patterns where habitation and occupation often follow caste divisions.
• Tribal Villages: Inhabited by indigenous communities with unique governance and customary laws (e.g., Nagaland, Mizoram).
• Mixed Villages: Represent socio-cultural integration due to migration and regional development.

Emerging Rural Typologies

The process of rural transformation and urbanisation has created new types of villages:

• Rurban Villages: Semi-urbanised rural areas benefiting from the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission, combining rural charm with urban amenities.
• Model Villages: Developed under initiatives like Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY) with focus on holistic development and community participation.
• Smart Villages: Technologically enabled rural settlements promoting e-governance, renewable energy, and digital education.