Village

Village : Structure and Change

1. Village : Structure and Change 1

2. Definition of Village The term ‘village’ refers to a Small population Follows agriculture , not only as an occupation , but also as a way of life. Generally , a village may be defined as a Group of people living in a definite geographical area Characterised by consciousness of kind Common life styles Intensive social interaction Bogardus :- “Human society has been cradled in the rural group.” Mandelbaum :- “The village is clearly an important and viable social entity to its people who also take part in the larger society and share in the pattern of the civilization.” 2

3. Village Solidarity Village solidarity developed By mutual exchange Various socio-cultural activities Religious gatherings Different ethnic groups depended on other ethnic groups for their livelihood. Socio-economic process plays an important role behind the village solidarity Village solidarity is seen at the time of danger- droughts , floods , epidemics , famine or natural disasters 3

4. Internal Regulations Each village had its own rules and regulations – principles , customs , rituals etc. Dominant ethnic groups sometimes manages the village directly Sometimes through panchayat system There were no villages which were not under the complete control of single ethnic group. There was a conflict between powerful groups. Unity existed for welfare work. Gram panchayat was the means of Village Solidarity. The panchayat had the task of monitoring whether the villagers are following the accepted customs , rules and regulations. In this way through panchayat , people of dominant caste enforced the rules and regulations and maintained order. 4

5. Self-Sufficient Village Community 5 According to many sociologists , the pre-British Indian Village society was a self-sufficient village. There are many controversy based on agriculture and handicrafts Equipped with all sort of facilities within it Does not depend upon the neighbouring villages Consumed food made from the crop grown in village Wear clothes , spun in the local mills Complete absence of any contact with outside world Apart from farmers,cobblers,blacksmiths,potters,carpenters, oilmen,barbers,dhaepas and other artisans lived in the village No existence of private property in land. Existed for centuries. Produced keeping in mind the needs of villagers. No surplus production No profit in it

6. Little Republic According to Charles Metcafe , the village communities are little republics , having nearly everything that they want within themselves and almost independent of any foreign relations. Representation of Geographical Features - Village Panchayat Entire land of village was in the possession of panchayat The Panchayat was the representative of the village society Arranged the distribution of cultivable land 6

7. Characteristics of Village Society Absence of private ownership on land Unification of agriculture and handicrafts Isolation of village society Lack of mobility 7

8. Characteristics of Village Community Community sentiment Contact with nature Thin population Agro-based occupation Face to face relation Self Sufficiency Caste System Conservatism Jajmani System Panchayat Family and kinship Low quality of life 8

9. Change in Village Community Change in community sentiment Decreasing self-sufficiency Increase in Social mobility Disorganisation of joint family system Change in marriage system Change in role of caste system Change in educational system Change in religious system Change in economic system Change in political system 9

10. Evolution of Village Community h as passed through different stages Primitive Village Community The part played by kinship Its collective bias Medieval Village Community Modern Village Community 10

11. Growth of Village Community Factors for the growth :- Topographical facto r Land Water Climate Economic factor Agriculture Rural economy Cottage industries Social factor Peace Security Cooperation 11

12. Thank you For any further queries , my Email ID is [email protected] 12