Detailed Summary
Hamleted settlements refer to a type of rural dwelling where communities are fragmented into smaller, physically distinguished units. Each of these smaller units can carry names like panna, para, or palli, depending on the region in India. Unlike clustered settlements, hamleted settlements can be spread across a larger area, often motivated by social, ethnic, and even security factors.
The chapter explains how hamleted communities generally arise due to the need for security or socio-economic segmentation, with dominant social groups often occupying the primary village while lower social strata might find themselves at the fringes. The types of rural settlements in India consist of: 1) Clustered or agglomerated, 2) Semi-clustered or fragmented, 3) Hamleted, and 4) Dispersed or isolated.
These types illustrate a diversity in spatial organization, affected by environmental conditions such as topography, climate, and water availability. Furthermore, hamleted settlements are reflective of the socio-economic dynamics that influence rural life, demonstrating the complex interrelations with urban areas, showcasing how urban settlements serve economic and service needs even to outlying hamlets.