Synopsis It is often said that India is a nation of villages. There are approximately 500, 000 villages in India. Most if India’s people live in villages. Most villagers are farmers who work in nearby fields. Most villages are small; nearly 80 percent have fewer than 1,000 inhabitants, according to the 1991 census. Most are nucleated settlements, while others are more dispersed. While the urban population has dramatically increased over the last couple of decades, the rural economy and life is central to India’s existence and identity. Agriculture –India’s most basic business –taking place in rural areas. Many of India’s valued cultural forms are flourished in rural land. Most villagers own few possessions. These belongings typically include brass pots for cooking and clay pots for carrying water and storing grain. A council of elected elders, called a panchayat, governs most villages. The panchayat has the power to hear complaints and administer punishments. This book provides a comprehensive picture of Indian rural life. It has been prepared keeping in mind that Indian planners and administrators will be greatly helped by this kind of work.