Towns (urban settlements) have flourished in India since pre-historic times, evolving in different ways and stages. They can be classified into ancient, medieval and modern towns. Under British rule, old manufacturing towns declined while new port cities, cantonments, hill stations and railway towns grew – and Madras, Bombay and Calcutta became the leading cities of India.
1. Towns in India – Three Types
| Type | How they developed | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient towns | Around residential places of kings, with easy access to sea and rivers for trade; administrative, religious and cultural centres | Harappa, Mohenjadaro, Varanasi, Allahabad, Madurai |
| Medieval towns | Headquarters of principalities and kingdoms; functioned as either a fort city or a port city | Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Agra, Nagpur |
| Modern towns | Developed after the arrival of the Europeans; first some coastal towns, then the British cities | Coastal: Surat, Daman, Goa, Pondicherry; British: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata |