ABSTRACT
Neither the state nor society is a unified or homogeneous entity. They have several dimensions that vary with time and space. One dimension that has so varied relates to the size of the population living in urban and rural areas. In terms of official approaches there are clear distinctions between villages, towns and cities, and each has its own form of government. Villages have panchayats, towns have municipalities, and cities have corporations, all elected bodies, to manage their affairs. The society in rural areas continues to be divided and spatially located in terms of caste. The living areas are different and follow the traditions. Historically, villages had their own form of self-government even when territories were ruled by kings and maharajas. The rulers were interested in the income received, mostly in the form of land revenue from the villages. Many governments at the state level have started to issue development reports in recent years more.
