The classification of towns is a fundamental aspect of settlement geography, allowing for the systematic study of urban areas based on their size, administrative status, and primary economic activities. In the Indian context, the Census of India provides the most rigorous and frequently cited classification framework.
1. Classification Based on Population Size (Census of India)
The Census of India classifies urban settlements into six distinct categories based on population size.
| Class | Population Range | Designation |
| Class I | 100,000 and above | City |
| Class II | 50,000 – 99,999 | Town |
| Class III | 20,000 – 49,999 | Town |
| Class IV | 10,000 – 19,999 | Town |
| Class V | 5,000 – 9,999 | Town |
| Class VI | Less than 5,000 | Town |
- Metropolitan City: Cities having a population between 1 million and 5 million.
- Mega City: Cities having a population of more than 5 million (though globally, “Megacity” often refers to populations over 10 million).
2. Administrative Classification
In India, towns are also classified by their legal and administrative status, which determines the type of local governance they receive.
Statutory Towns
All places with a municipality, corporation, cantonment board, or notified town area committee. These are “urban” by law, regardless of demographic characteristics.
Census Towns
Places that do not have a statutory urban status but satisfy the following “triple criteria”:
- A minimum population of 5,000.
- At least 75% of the male main working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits.
- A density of population of at least 400 persons per sq. km.
3. Functional Classification
Towns are often classified by the dominant economic activity or “function” they perform for their region. While most modern cities are multi-functional, they are usually identified by their primary role.
Administrative Towns
Focus on government administration and headquarters.
- Examples: New Delhi, Chandigarh, Gandhinagar, Canberra (Australia).
Industrial Towns
Driven by manufacturing, processing, and heavy industry.
- Examples: Jamshedpur (Steel), Bhilai (Steel), Modinagar (Textiles/Sugar).
Transport Towns
Centers of trade and movement, often located at ports or major railway junctions.
- Examples: Kochi, Visakhapatnam, Itarsi, Mughalsarai.
Commercial Towns
Specializing in trade, banking, and commerce.
- Examples: Mumbai, Kolkata, Saharanpur.
Mining Towns
Established specifically for the extraction of minerals.
- Examples: Raniganj, Jharia, Digboi, Kalgoorlie (Australia).
Garrison (Cantonment) Towns
Evolved specifically for military and defense purposes.
- Examples: Ambala, Mhow, Babina, Barrackpore.
Educational Towns
Growth is centered around premier educational and research institutions.
- Examples: Roorkee, Varanasi, Aligarh, Oxford (UK).
Religious and Cultural Towns
Known for historical monuments, temples, or religious significance.
- Examples: Amritsar, Madurai, Tirupati, Jerusalem, Vatican City.
4. Classification Based on Evolution and Age
Geographers often classify towns based on the period of their origin, which dictates their morphology (layout).
- Ancient Towns: Over 2,000 years old, usually evolved as religious or cultural centers (e.g., Varanasi, Prayagraj, Madurai).
- Medieval Towns: Evolved during the medieval period as headquarters of kingdoms (e.g., Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow).
- Modern Towns: Developed by the British or other Europeans (e.g., Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata) or planned post-independence (e.g., Chandigarh, Bhubaneswar).
5. Hierarchy of Urban Settlements
The urban hierarchy represents the ranking of settlements based on their population and the range of services they provide.
- Isolated Dwelling: A single house or farm.
- Hamlet: A tiny cluster of houses (no services).
- Village: Larger than a hamlet; basic services (grocery, primary school).
- Town: Significant services (high school, hospital).
- City: Extensive services and specialized markets.
- Conurbation: A continuous urban area formed by the merging of several cities (e.g., Mumbai-Thane).
- Megalopolis: A massive urban chain (e.g., the “BosWash” corridor in the USA).
UPSC Trivia: Terms to Remember
- Primate City: A city that is at least twice as large as the next city in the country and dominates the national economy (Concept by Mark Jefferson).
- Standard Urban Area (SUA): A concept used by the Census to identify a core town and its adjoining areas having a population of 50,000 or more.
- Urban Agglomeration (UA): A continuous urban spread consisting of a town and its adjoining “Outgrowths” (OGs).