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Read this article to learn about the definition, evolution and growth of village community.
Definition of Village Community:
Generally, 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.
The term ‘village’ refers to a small area with small population which follows agriculture not only as an occupation but also as a way of life.
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It is very difficult to form a precise definition of the term “village”. It is the oldest permanent community of man.
“We do not know one single human race or one single nation which has not had its period of village communities.”
—Kropotkin
“Human society has been cradled in the rural group.”
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—Bogardus
“To a villager, his village is more than just a collection of houses, lanes and fields : it is a prime social reality.”
—Mandelbaum
He observes, “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.”
Evolution of Village Community:
The village community has passed through different stages:
1. Primitive Village Community
2. Medieval Village Community
3. Modern Village Community
1. Primitive Village Community:
There are two peculiar features of the primitive village community:
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(a) The part played by kinship.
(b) Its collectivist basis.
The primitive village community was very small in size of ten or twenty families. They were very close to each other. Due to lack of means of communication and transport, the members of the village community were separated from other- communities by a great distance, considerable inbreeding occurred, so that a large part of the members were related by kinship.
The primitive village community was organised on a collectivist basis, so far as land was concerned. Land was the common property. All the members jointly tilled it. The bond of kinship and close ties of the inhabitants with the land developed a high sense of community feeling in the primitive village community.
2. Medieval Village Community:
In their community, neither kinship any longer played a prominent part in binding the people nor did the land belong to the group as a whole. Feudal system came into existence. The land belonged to a Lord of some sort, to the king, to the member of the nobility. It was tilled by the tenants, they were serfs and Feudal Lords were their master.
3. Modern Village Community:
With the emergence of Industrialization in modern times, urbanisation came to the forefront. The Urban group began to dominate civilization. In spite of the dominance of urbanism, in India, a large proportion of population lives in villages.
The modern village community stands in sharp contrast to the primitive village community. Due to the increased size of population, the kinship ties has broken. The land no longer collectively cultivated. There becomes a contrast between the rural-urban communities. Yet there is continuity between these two.
Growth of Village Community:
There are various factors for the growth of village community.
They are:
1. Topographical Factor:
Topographical factors include land, water and climate. Land is one of the important factors which significantly contributed in permanent settlement of village community. The villages settled on fertile lands are more developed and prosperous. The facility of water and climate also contributes to the growth and prosperity of villages. A temperate climate is most favourable for the growth of village community.
2. Economic Factor:
We include condition of agriculture, rural economy and cottage industries under the economic factor. The growth of village community depends upon the condition of agriculture. If farming yields a good crop, the economic condition of the village people will be better. The village economy also is an important factor in the growth of village community. It is closely linked with agriculture.
The villagers should have purchasing capacity. They should have facilities to market their products. Cottage industry is also another factor. Due to the growth of cottage industries, the village people are provided some work to do. They get an additional source of income. Therefore, the areas where the cottage industries could develop were preferred for village community.
3. Social Factors:
From among the social factors, peace is Significant. People always prefer to settle In a place where peace prevails. They ensured that their crops would not be damaged by the outsiders and they could safely carryout their work of cultivation. After peace comes security. People need security for their own life and property. They always prefer secure places for their settlement.
Co-operation is another social factor for the growth of village community. Agriculture needs co-operation in each and every sphere. Social factors have played and continue to play an important role in the permanent settlement of village community.