Functional Classification of Towns by Ashok Mitra

Functional classification of towns is a system that classifies towns and cities based on their economic and social functions. This classification system helps to understand the different roles that towns and cities play within a region or country. Ashok Mitra, a former Register General of the Census of India, attempted a detailed classification of all urban places in India. He classified the functions of any city into nine groups. 

 

(I) Cultivation

(II) Agriculture Labour

(III) Mining and quarrying, livestock, forestry, fishing

(IV) Household Industry

(V) Manufacturing

(VI) Construction

(VII) Trade and Commerce

(VIII) Transport and Communication

(IX) Services

 

He ignored the first two primary activities as they are mainly related to village settlement. He grouped the rest of the seven industrial categories of workers into three broad groups to derive three major functional types:

Ashok Mitra classified urban places in India 

into three major functional types:

 

Manufacturing Towns: These towns have a large percentage of workers employed in manufacturing industries.

• Mining and quarrying, livestock, forestry, fishing or plantation town
• Artisan town
• Manufacturing town
• Construction town

The percentage of workers in III, IV, V, and VI put together is greater than the percentage in VII+VIII or in IX. 

Ex: (III+IV+V+VI) > (VII+VIII) or IX

 

Trade and Transport Towns: These towns have a large percentage of workers employed in trade and transport activities.

• Trade town
• Transport town

The percentage of workers in VII and VIII is greater than the percentage in IX or III, IV, V, and VI together. 

Ex: (VII+VIII) > IX or (III+IV+V+VII)

 

Service Towns: These towns have a large percentage of workers employed in service industries.

• Administrative town
• Educational town
• Medical town
• Tourist town
• Religious town

The percentage of workers in IX is greater than the percentage in VII and VIII or III, IV, V, and VI together. 

Ex: IX > (III+IV+V+VI) or (VII+VIII)

 

The degree of specialization in each of the basic groups (a, b, and c) was identified by Triangular Method on a graph. The three sides of an equilateral triangle represent the groups of 100 values.

FIGURE: Classification of Indian Cities through Triangular Method

The values of all the tree groups were then plotted and a point for each town within the Triangle’s perpendiculars was located. Three circles from the in-center point (33, 1/3) are drawn proportionately to represent 40, 45, and 50 values respectively. These show an increasing tendency or specializations.

1. The points within the first circle so highly diversified functions (HDF)
2. The points between the first and second circle are moderately diversified functions (MDF)
3. The points between the second and third represent the specialized predominant function (SPF)
4. The points outside the outer hard circle so highly specialized predominant functions (HSPF) 

 

A functional classification of 2528 towns found that 736 towns were primarily focused on agriculture, with more workers employed in agriculture than in non-agricultural sectors. Out of the 1792 non-agricultural towns, 655 were classified as manufacturing towns, 708 as trade and transport towns, and 429 as service towns. 

Mitra’s classification system effectively highlights the primary area of specialization among cities by dividing them into three main functional categories: manufacturing, trading, and service (administration). However, it is important to note that the majority of cities do not have a clear specialization in a single economic activity, but rather have diversified economic bases.

 

This functional classification of towns is a useful tool for understanding the economic and social structure of urban areas in India. It can be used to identify towns that are specialized in particular economic activities, as well as towns that are more diversified. This information can be used to develop policies and programs that promote the growth and development of urban areas in India.

 

Here are some additional points about the functional classification of towns by Ashok Mitra:

1. The classification is based on the industrial categories of workers.
2. The classification is hierarchical, with four levels of specialization.
3. The classification is dynamic, as towns can move from one level of specialization to another over time.
4. The classification is useful for understanding the economic and social structure of urban areas.
5. I hope this is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

It is important to note that no single functional classification system is perfect. Different classifications may be more or less appropriate for different purposes. Ultimately, the best functional classification system for a particular application is the one that best meets the needs of the user.

 

Here are some of the benefits of the functional classification of towns:

 

1. It can help to understand the economic and social structure of a region or country.
2. It can help to identify towns that are experiencing economic growth or decline.
3. It can help to target development interventions for specific types of towns.
4. It can help to track the changing functions of towns over time.

 

Functional classification of towns is a valuable tool for understanding the role of towns and cities in the world. It can be used to inform planning decisions, allocate resources, and track development progress.

 

 CONCLUSION 

 

In conclusion, the functional classification of towns and cities is essential for understanding their roles in various fields, such as occupation, industry, economy, religion, society, and politics. Several classification methods have been proposed, including those based on age, stage of development, population size, and functional specialization. While these methods have some challenges and limitations, they offer valuable insights into the complex nature of urban centers and help researchers to study their diverse functions and specializations. By classifying cities based on their primary functions, we can better understand their roles in religion, the nation, and the world.