Chapter 2: 

Human Settlements


 EXERCISES

1. Choose the right answers of the following from the given options.

(i) Which one of the following towns is NOT located on a river bank?

(a) Agra (c) Patna

(b) Bhopal (d) Kolkata

Answer: (b) Bhopal. 

Rationalised 2023-24

20 India : People and Economy

(ii) Which one of the following is NOT the part of the definition of a town as

per the census of India?

(a) Population density of 400 persons per sq km.

(b) Presence of municipality, corporation, etc.

(c) More than 75% of the population engaged in primary sector.

(d) Population size of more than 5,000 persons.

Answer: (c) More than 75% of the population engaged in primary sector.

(iii) In which one of the following environments does one expect the presence

of dispersed rural settlements?

(a) Alluvial plains of Ganga

(b) Arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan

(c) Lower valleys of Himalayas

(d) Forests and hills in north-east

Answer: (b) Arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan.

2. Answer the following questions in about 30 words.

(i) What are garrisson towns? What is their function?

Answer: Garrison towns:

Fortified settlements housing troops (army, military base).

Function:

*Defense: Protect strategic locations, borders, or internal security.

*Support: Provide logistical base for deployed troops.

*Economic impact: Stimulate local economy through military spending and services.

    They act as military hubs, offering security and sometimes contributing to the local economy.

(ii) What are the main factors for the location of villages in desert regions?

Answer: In deserts, village locations hinge on two crucial factors:

1. Water availability: Villages cluster around reliable water sources like oases, springs, or groundwater reserves, vital for survival in arid environments.

2. Accessibility and resources: Settlements often arise near transportation routes or areas with fertile pockets for farming or grazing, maximizing resource utilization in the challenging desert landscape.

    These factors dictate where life can flourish in the harsh embrace of the desert.

3. Answer the following questions in about 150 words.

(i) Discuss the features of different types of rural settlements. What are the factors responsible for the settlement patterns in different physical environments?

Answer: Rural settlements, like vibrant threads in a rich tapestry, showcase a fascinating diversity in their types and patterns. Understanding these variations demands an appreciation for their unique features and the environmental forces weaving them together.

Types of Rural Settlements:

*Compact: Densely packed houses, often found in fertile plains, offering defense and fostering community.

*Semi-compact: Clusters of houses with some spacing, often along transport routes, transitioning between compactness and dispersion.

*Hamleted: Small groups of houses amidst agricultural land, sharing resources like wells, common in challenging environments.

*Dispersed: Individual houses or farmsteads spread out, maximizing resource utilization in areas with limited water or arable land.

Environmental Factors Shaping Settlement Patterns:

*Topography: Flat plains favor compact settlements, while mountains encourage hamlets or dispersed settlements due to terrain constraints.

*Water Availability: Settlements cluster around reliable water sources like rivers, springs, or oases, crucial for survival in arid regions.

*Climate: Extreme climates often lead to dispersion due to limited resources and harsh living conditions.

*Soil Fertility: Fertile land attracts compact settlements for concentrated agriculture, while less fertile areas might see hamleted or dispersed settlements with diversified livelihoods.

*Natural Resources: The presence of resources like minerals, forests, or fishing grounds can influence the formation and location of settlements dependent on these resources.

    By understanding these intricate relationships, we appreciate how humans adapt and thrive in diverse landscapes. This knowledge informs strategies for sustainable development and resource management in rural areas, ensuring these vibrant threads continue to weave their tapestry through generations.

(ii) Can one imagine the presence of only one-function town? Why do the cities become multi-functional?

Answer: Imagine a town solely dedicated to mining – imagine the deserted streets after work hours, the lack of variety in shops and services, the dependence on external sources for all non-mining needs. Such a single-function town is difficult to picture in reality, and for good reason. Cities tend to become multi-functional due to several driving forces:

1. Interdependence: Different segments of society, from miners to teachers to doctors, require varied services and goods. This creates a natural demand for diverse functions beyond the initial reason for the town's existence.

2. Economic Diversification: Relying solely on one function makes the town vulnerable to fluctuations in that specific industry. Diversification into other sectors, like tourism or manufacturing, strengthens the economy and provides additional employment opportunities.

3. Growth and Infrastructure: As a town grows, it attracts services like hospitals, schools, and transportation networks. These developments cater to both the initial function and the growing needs of the diversifying population, further propelling multi-functionality.

4. Human Factors: People seek vibrant communities with amenities, social interactions, and cultural options. A single-function town often lacks these, leading residents to migrate or seek services elsewhere. This incentivizes the development of new functions to retain and attract residents.

    Therefore, the very nature of human society and economic dynamics makes single-function towns unsustainable. Instead, cities evolve into multifunctional hubs, adapting and diversifying to cater to the complex needs of their inhabitants and thrive in the ever-changing world.


Answer By: Himashree Bora.