Urbanisation in India is primarily concentrated in regions with prosperous agriculture like Western, Southern, and North-Western India. Over time, specific towns have been developed for unique purposes, such as the towns for Pakistani refugees post-1947 and hill stations for the British. Urban evolution in India can be traced back to the ancient civilizations, with varied development phases including ancient, medieval, and modern towns.
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the evolution of urbanisation in India.
- Identify different classifications of towns and cities.
- Recognize the key criteria used in defining urban areas.
- Comprehend the consequences of urbanisation in India.
India’s towns have flourished since prehistoric times. The urbanisation process has undergone changes with various influences, from ancient civilizations to colonial impacts.
1. Ancient Towns: Over 45 towns have historical backgrounds exceeding 2000 years. Most evolved as religious and cultural hubs. Examples include Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayag, Pataliputra, Mathura, and Madurai.
2. Medieval Towns: Approximately 100 towns trace their origins to the medieval period, often developing as principalities and kingdoms. Examples include Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Agra, and Nagpur.
3. Modern Towns: European powers, especially the British, reshaped the urban landscape starting in the 18th century. Key coastal trading ports like Surat, Daman, and Goa emerged. The British later consolidated their hold through Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. Post-independence, towns developed as administrative and industrial hubs (e.g., Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar), while some evolved into satellite towns around metropolitan areas (e.g., Ghaziabad, Gurgaon).
Defining urban areas in India relies on criteria like demographics, economics, morphology, and function. These criteria have evolved with each census, particularly in the early 20th century.
1. 1901 Census: Included every municipality, civil line, cantonment, and collections of houses with at least 5000 inhabitants.
2. 1911 Census: Added princely state capitals, irrespective of urban characteristics.
3. 1961 Census Onwards: Adopted a stricter definition applied uniformly, excluding economic activities like fishing and livestock. This has been followed in subsequent censuses.
4. Urban Classifications (2001 Census):
Important Note: Census towns can be recognized for having distinct urban characteristics, even if they do not meet all criteria strictly.
The Census of India classifies urban settlements based on population size and other factors, identifying larger agglomerations and types of towns.
1. Urban Agglomerations (UA): May consist of:
2. Outgrowths (OGs): Villages or blocks outside statutory town limits but contiguous with urban infrastructure like roads, electricity, and services. Examples include Central Railway Colony (OG).
3. Population Classifications:
India has witnessed a significant increase in urban population due to migration and the establishment of new urban centers.
1. Urban Population (2011 Census): Over 377 million, accounting for 31.16% of the total population, a sharp rise from 25.85 million in 1901.
2. Urban Frame: 7935 towns as per the 2011 census. Statutory towns increased to 4041, and census towns to 3894.
3. Class I Towns: 468 towns in 2011, hosting 70% of the total urban population.
4. Million-Plus Cities: 53 cities have populations exceeding 1 million, with Greater Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata identified as mega cities.
5. Demographic Details:
Key Concept: Urbanisation involves enlargement of existing cities and emergence of new towns. Urban growth in India often leads to challenges like housing shortages, slum formation, and environmental strain.
The structure of urban settlements in India is diverse, including cities, towns, urban agglomerations, and outgrowths.
1. Towns: Functionally distinct from villages, towns engage in manufacturing, trade, and professional services.
2. Urban Agglomerations: Often a combination of contiguous towns forming a large urban spread.
3. Outgrowths (OGs): Independent units like railway colonies or university campuses contiguous with towns.
Rapid urbanisation in India has led to issues like slum formation, congestion, and uneven distribution of resources.
1. Slums: Residential areas unfit for habitation due to overcrowding, poor design, and lack of facilities.
Important Note: As of 2011, around 1.37 crore households or 17.4% of urban Indian households lived in slums.
India’s urban development policies aim to promote economic growth, provide basic services, and manage the distribution of the urban population.
1. Urban Policies:
2. Smart Cities Mission: An innovative initiative promoting sustainable development and technology-driven growth. It follows three area-based models: Retrofitting, Redevelopment, and Greenfield. A total of 100 Smart Cities have been designated based on population and statutory town count.
| Criteria | Statutory Towns | Census Towns |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Status | Notified under state law | Identified based on census data |
| Population Criteria | No specific demographic requirement | Minimum 5000, 75% male non-agrarian |
The demographic composition of cities and towns reveals varied aspects of growth and distribution.
1. Sex Ratio: Urban areas have a sex ratio of 926 females per 1000 males. Kannur UA has the highest, while Surat UA has the lowest.
2. Literacy Rate: Increased across urban areas, with Greater Mumbai UA showcasing a 90.78% literacy rate.
3. Child Population: Urban areas witnessed an increase, while rural areas saw a decline. The highest proportion is in Malappuram UA.
MCQ:
What is the main criteria for classifying a Census Town?
- Presence of a municipal corporation.
- Population exceeding 10,000.
- Minimum population of 5000 with 75% male workers in non-agricultural activities.
- Located near a metropolitan area.
Correct Answer: 3. Minimum population of 5000 with 75% male workers in non-agricultural activities.