An Overview of Indian Villages

1. Dr. Vikas Nandal
Assistant Professor
Geeta Institute of Law, Panipat

2. Villages play an important part in Indian life.
From Pre-historic times, the villages has been
enjoying an important place as the unit of
Indian social structure.
India can rightly be called a land of villages.
¾ of the population of India resides in more
then 5.58 lakhs villages.
67% population in India still lives in villages.
 A village community may be defined as a group of
people living in a definite geographical area,
characterised by consciousness of kind, common life
styles and various intensive social interaction.

3. Characteristics of Villages
 Small Size of the village community.
 Intimate Relations- (Face to Face contact)
 Social Homogeneity – Simple life style
 Informal Social Control-
 Local Self Government
 Panchayat System
 Dominance of Joint Family
 Occupation- Dominance of Agriculture associated
with different works.
 Faith in Religion
 Self Sufficiency
 Widespread

4. Changes in Villages
 Caste System
 Jajmani System
 Status of Women's
 Mobility- Changes in Occupation and status
 Family System- Joint to Nuclear
 Marriage System
 Inter-caste marriages are rare
 Selection of Mate
 Expenditure
 Living Standards
 Food
 Dress

5.  Economic System
 Jobs (Govt./ Private)
 New scientific Instruments used in agriculture
 Rural Cooperative Societies for credit to farmers.
 Political System
 Political knowledge due to T.V., Radio, Social Media,
Print Media.
 Fighting Elections