Course Name- B.A.L.L.B.

IVth sem
Subject- Sociology
Teacher- Dr. Niru Jain
Topic- Village
 Village
Meaning

A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than

a hamlet but smaller than a town (although the word is often used to describe
both hamlets and smaller towns), with a population ranging from a few
hundred to a few thousand. Though villages are often located in rural areas,
the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighborhoods. Villages
are normally permanent, with fixed dwellings; however, transient villages can
occur. Further, the dwellings of a village are fairly close to one another, not
scattered broadly over the landscape, as a dispersed settlement.
In the past, villages were a usual form of community for societies that
practice subsistence agriculture, and also for some non-agricultural societies.
In Great Britain, a hamlet earned the right to be called a village when it built a
church.[1] In many cultures, towns and cities were few, with only a small
proportion of the population living in them. The Industrial Revolution attracted
people in larger numbers to work in mills and factories; the concentration of
people caused many villages to grow into towns and cities. This also enabled
specialization of labor and crafts, and development of many trades. The trend
of urbanization continues, though not always in connection with
industrialization.
Although many patterns of village life have existed, the typical village is often
small, consisting of perhaps 5 to 30 families. Historically homes were situated
together for sociability and defence, and land surrounding the living quarters
was farmed. Traditional fishing villages were based on artisan fishing and
located adjacent to fishing grounds.
Classification of villages.

I. On the Basis of Structure

The Nucleated Village:

This is a common pattern of settlement mostly discernible in paddy growing

areas. In this type of village, homes of farmers and artisans are clustered
together.
Their land is located outside the village at varying distance. Their livestock
are often housed along with them or nearby them.
This type of villages are characterised by residential proximity,
neighbourhood, community feeling etc.

The Linear Village:

In this type of village, houses are built on parallel rows. Each house is
surrounded by small gardens. The paddy fields are at a distance from the
house. This pattern of settlement unites the social advantage of residential
closeness and economic advantages of living on one’s land.

3. Dispersed Village:

The village in which the dwelling places of the village lay scattered or
diffused is called a dispersed village. These villages have no definite
structure or shape. This type of village is found in hilly areas.

The Mixed Village:

It is the mixer of nucleated and dispersed pattern of settlement. In this type

of village settlement, there is a larger compact settlement of houses which
is surrounded by a few small hamlets at a distance. This type of settlement
can be seen both in plain as well as hilly areas.
II. On the Basis of Residence:

1. Migratory Village:

Here, people live for few months or for as season. They collect their rood
from natural resources. But when the food supply from that place is
lessened, then they shift to another I place where they can find adequate
amount of food. For example, J we find this type of village among the tribal
society i.e. shifting cultivation.

2. Semi-permanent Agricultural Village:

In semi- permanent agricultural villages, people reside for few years at a

particular” place and migrate to another place due to the exhaustion of the
productivity of land. The duration of residence is more as compared to
migratory type of villages.
In this type of village, people keep animals like cow and goat but do not
cultivate the land for agriculture. They burn down the small trees and
bushes and sow seed over the earth which gives them some crop after
rainfall. When the people find that land is not yielding required amount of
food grains, they leave the place’ for another new settlement.

3. Permanent Agricultural Village:

In permanent agricultural village, people live permanently for generation to

generation. They develop village organisations and social relations within
their own village. Generally, they do not change their living place and place
of cultivation. Here, in this villages, permanent households are created.
III. On the Basis of Organisation:

1. Co-operative Villages:

In this type of village, land is owned individually and people pull their
resources together for common cultivation and farming. Generally, co-
operative houses are organised to supply them their necessary
commodities. Co-operative villages are also seen in India.

2. Semi-Collective Village:

In such villages, land belong to the collective body. All means of production
and resources are owned collectively. The people work together for
production of food grains and other essential goods. For their consumption,
they get their monthly or annual dues fixed according to the income of the
village.
The income of villagers is not associated with the number of hours worked
by members of a particular family. The families received their quota
according to the numerical strength of the family.
3. Collective Villages:
In this type of village, the villagers live in a communal settlement where all
property is collectively owned and all the arrangements are done on a
collective basis. Members of the village only render their labour to the
common pool and get all the necessaries of life like food, clothing, housing,
education etc.
There is common dining hall, common store and Communal Kinder Garden
in the village. The Old and disabled persons are also maintained from the
common fund. As a whole, such type of village gives full security for the
whole life of a person, his children and dependents.

IV. On the Basis of Land Ownership:

1. Land-Lord Villages:

In such villages, land is owned by individual family or a few number of

families known as land-lords. The landlords possess all the rights over the
land but give the land to the tenants. The land-lords also impose rent on the
land which tenants usually pay.
Land lords give certain percentage of rent to the king or government and
keep a good percentage for themselves. Such type of villages existed in India
before the abolition of intermediaries in agricultural sector.

2. Ryotwari Villages:

In ryotwari villages, farmers are the owners of the land and they cultivate it.
They directly pay the rent to the government without any intermediary.
Such villages are known as ryotwari villages where land is owned by Ryots or
Cultivators.

Difference between Urban and Rural

Based on the density of population, development, amenities, employment

opportunities, education, etc. human settlement is majorly divided into two
categories i.e. Urban and Rural. Urban refers to a human settlement where the
rate of urbanisation and industrialisation is high. On the other hand, in a rural
settlement, is one where the rate of urbanisation is quite slow.
Another important difference between the two human settlements is that
while urban areas are highly populated, rural areas have comparatively less
population than the urban ones.

Definition of Urban

The term urban simply refers to the region or area which is densely populated
and possess the characteristics of the man-made surroundings. The people
residing in such area, are engaged in trade, commerce or services. In this
settlement, there is high scale industrialisation that results in better
employment opportunities. The Urban settlement is not confined to the cities
only, but towns and suburbs (suburban areas) are also included in it.
There are many advantages of life in urban areas like easy access to various
amenities, better transportation facilities, entertainment and education
options, health facilities. Although it suffers certain drawbacks like pollution,
caused due to large scale industrialisation and means of transportation like
buses, trains, cars and so on, leading to increasing in health problems in the
people living in that area.
Definition of Rural

We define the term ‘rural’ as a region located on the outskirts. It refers to a

small settlement, which is outside the boundaries of a city, commercial or
industrial area. It may include, countryside areas, villages or hamlets, where
there are natural vegetation and open spaces. There is a low density of
population in such area. The primary source of income of the residents is
agriculture and animal husbandry. Cottage Industries also form a chief source
of income here.
In India, a town whose population is below 15000 is considered as rural, as per
the planning commission. Gram Panchayat is responsible for looking after such
areas. Further, there is no municipal board, in the villages and maximum
percentage of the male population are engaged in agriculture and related
activities.

Key Differences between Urban and Rural

The fundamental differences between urban and rural are discussed in the
following points:
1. A settlement where the population is very high and has the features of a
built environment (an environment that provides basic facilities for
human activity), is known as urban. Rural is the geographical region
located in the outer parts of the cities or towns.

2. The life in urban areas is fast and complicated, whereas rural life is
simple and relaxed.

3. The Urban settlement includes cities and towns. On the other hand, the
rural settlement includes villages and hamlets.

4. There is greater isolation from nature in urban areas, due to the

existence of the built environment. Conversely, rural areas are in direct
contact with nature, as natural elements influence them.
 5. Urban people are engaged in non-agricultural work, i.e. trade,
commerce or service industry. In contrast, the primary occupation of
rural people is agriculture and animal husbandry.

6. Population wise, urban areas are densely populated, which is based on

the urbanisation, i.e. the higher the urbanisation, the higher is the
population. On the contrary, the rural population is sparse, which has an
inverse relationship with agriculturism.

7. Urban areas are developed in a planned and systematic way, according

to the process of urbanisation and industrialisation. Development in
rural areas is seldom, based on the availability of natural vegetation and
fauna in the region.

8. When it comes to social mobilisation, urban people are highly intensive

as they change their occupation or residence frequently in search of
better opportunities. However, in rural areas occupational or territorial
mobility of the people is relatively less intensive.

9. Division of labour and specialisation is always present in the urban

settlement at the time of job allotment. As opposed to rural areas, there
is no division of labour.

Conclusion

So, with the given discussion, it is easily understood that these two human
settlements are very different, regarding the density of human structures and
the residents of that area. The standard of living in urban areas is higher in
comparison to the rural areas. At present, the maximum part of the total
population resides in urban areas, as well as the total land area occupied by
the urban region is greater than the rural areas.
Jajmani System
Meaning of Jajmani System:

Jajmani system is considered as the backbone of rural economy and social

order.
It is a system of traditional occupational obligations. In rural India Jajmani
system is very much linked with caste system.
It has become a part and parcel of social and economic system.
Etymologically, the term Jajman has been derived from the Sanskrit word
Yajman, which means a person who performs a yajna. Thus if some yajna is to
be performed for that the services of some Brahmins are essentially needed. It
was gradually that its use was made common to everyone who hired services
or to whom the services were given.

It could be said that the Jajmani system is a system of distribution whereby

high caste land owning families are provided services and products of various
lower castes such as Khati (Carpenter), Nai (Barber), Kumhars (Potters), Lobars
(Blacksmiths), Dhobi (Washer man), Sweeper (Chuhra) etc.
The servicing castes are called Kamins while the castes served are called
Jajmans. For services rendered the servicing castes are paid in cash or in kind
(grains, fodder, clothes, animal products like milk, butter etc.) Kamin means
who works for some body or services him.
In villages, durable relations obtain mainly between food-producing families
and the families that supply them with goods and services. William H. Wiser’s
study of a village in uttar Pradesh reveals that these relations are called
Jajmani in Hindi. In Maharashtra, they are known as “Balutdarl”.
In Jajmani system, at the centre is the family of agriculturists, the zamindars.
They receive services from the families of occupational castes. One who
receives services is known as Jajman, the patron. The families that provide
services are known as Kamin, Kam Karney waley or Kamgars (workers). In other
parts of India, terms such as Parjan, Pardhan, Balutedar etc. are also used for
the providers of goods and services.
All these words literally refer to the same people, i.e. those who ‘work’ for
others and one may call them clients. The castes, which happen to provide
services to the agriculturists, vary from one village to another. Every caste in
the village does not happen to be a part of Jajmani system. So Jajmani system
can be defined as a patron-client relationship.
Yogendra Singh describes Jajmani system as a system governed by relationship
based on reciprocity in inter-caste relations in villages. Ishwaran has said, that
it is a system in which each caste has a role to play in a community life as a
whole. This role consists of economic, social and moral functions.

Definition of Jajmani System::

The Jajmani system is a peculiarity of Indian villages.

“A person by whom a Brahmin is hired to perform religious services, hence a
patron, a client”. —Webster’s Dictionary
“The service relations which are governed by a hereditary tenure are called
Jajman-Praja relations”. —N.S. Reddy
Kamins are also known as Praja.
Under this system each caste group within a village is expected to
give certain standardised services to the families of other castes.
Each one works for certain family or group of families with whom he is
hereditary linked.” —Oscar Lewis

Advantages of Jajmani System:

1. Security of Occupation:

Security of occupation is guaranteed in case of jajmani system. Since this

system is hereditary, the kamin is assured of his occupation. He knows that if
he breaks his family occupation he shall not be able to earn his livelihood.

2. Economic Security:
It provides economic security to kamins as the jajman looks after all of their
needs. The kamins are assured of their economic security. In every monetary
crisis the jajman helps the kamins. They extend all possible help to the kamins.
So there is economic security in the jasmine system.

3. Close and Intimate Relationship:

There is close and intimate relationship between the jajman and kamin. This
relationship is not purely economical but it is sentimental and internal. A spirit
of fellow feeling and brotherhood develops under this system. Both jajman and
kamin know full well each other’s limitations as well as plus points.
So, they try to adjust each other. Jajmani system is hereditary and permanent,
that is why both jajman and kamin sympathies for each other. This system
creates an atmosphere conducive to peaceful living and co-operation.
4. Peaceful Living:
The cut-throat-competition for work or employment is almost absent in
jajmani system. No jajman goes without service nor any kamin goes without
food. So this system creates an atmosphere of peaceful living by creating the
spirit of fellow-feeling and co-operation.

Disadvantages of Jajmani System:

1. Source of Exploitation:
Jajmani system is exploitative. The agricultural castes, which are invariably
upper castes, seek the services of the occupational castes, which Eire generally
lower castes. The exploitation of lower castes continues under the garb of
paternal ties.
Like the caste system, this system has become a source of suppression,
exploitation and discrimination. Oscar Lewis has pointed out in his study of
Jajmani system in Rampur village, whereas in the past it was based on personal
relationship, it has now become an instrument of exploitation of kamins by
jajmans.

2. Feeling of Superiority and Inferiority:

In this system, the kamins are considered low whereas the jajmems are placed
high. This has resulted in social inequality and feeling of superiority and
inferiority in the minds of both Jajman and kamin. Because this system is based
on heredity, the kamin cannot take other Job or occupation and the advantage
of latest scientific developments to improve his economic condition.
This system has resulted in lowering the economic standard of the kamins.
They are treated as inferior. They are sometimes exploited and abused by the
JaJmans. They become helpless before the money power of their Jajmans. This
is a system which is based on the sense of high and low.

3. Impediment to Occupational and Social Mobility:

Jajmani system has stood on the way of occupational mobility and resulted in
lowering economic standard of the kamins. This system is hereditary, so there
is no possibility of changing the occupation. In this way the system has checked
social mobility. The conditions of the kamins remain miserable because of their
economic weaknesses.
4. Supported by Caste System:
Caste system is the basis of jajmani system. So this system suffers from all the
evils of caste system. Dr. Majumdar found in his study that the conditions of
kamins are miserable and the upper castes subject them to great harassment
and trouble.
They are ill-treated by the Jajmans. This system leads to widespread
discrimination. There is exploitation and coercion. Dumont has pointed out
that this system has to satisfy all those who enter into jajmani relationships.

5. Effect of Transport and Communication:

Due to rapid expansion of transport and communication, the system is in a
decline. Because it has made easy for the kamins to seek job or other
occupation outside their village. Now the kamins are no longer compelled to
do the Job of Jajmans.

6. Impact of Social Reform Movement:

Due to the impact of social reform movements, the suppressed castes get
benefits. They try to rise up in the social ladder. Various religious reform
movements, like Arya Samaj have produced one of the greatest setback to
the Jajmani system.