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Question

Difficulty: MediumDemography, Population, and Human Settlements in India

In the study of Indian human settlements and rural morphology, social stratification and spatial segregation sometimes force certain sections of a village community to reside on the outer flanks of a main village cluster. Which of the following rural settlement types in India is primarily characterized by this spatial pattern and is widespread across the Gujarat plains and parts of Rajasthan?

  1. Semi-clustered settlementsAnswer
  2. B
    Hamleted settlements
  3. C
    Clustered settlements
  4. D
    Dispersed settlements

Answer

Semi-clustered settlements
Semi-clustered (or fragmented) settlements result from the tendency of clustering within a restricted area or from the forced segregation of a large compact village. In this pattern, the dominant land-owning community occupies the central core of the main village, while weaker sections and manual laborers settle on the outer flanks. This settlement type is widely observed in the Gujarat plains and parts of Rajasthan.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the spatial and social characteristics described in the question stem.
The scenario describes a spatial pattern arising from social segregation within a compact village, leading to Peripheral settlement of lower strata around a main cluster.
NCERT and standard geographic classification of Indian rural settlements specifically define this morphology as semi-clustered or fragmented settlements.
2
Correlate the settlement type with its geographical distribution in India.
Semi-clustered settlements are predominantly located in the Gujarat plains and parts of Rajasthan.
Social factors combined with water constraints in semi-arid zones favor semi-clustering around a dominant core village.

Key Concept

Classification and Morphology of Rural Settlements in India
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Topics

Demography, Population, and Human Settlements in India

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