Periodic markets and rural development in India

The study is placed within the growing field of interest in traditional market exchange systems and their significance for rural development and planning. The study looks at the periodic markets from two different points in time and describes their locations in the contexts of physio graphy, transport facilities and settlement systems.

The study views periodic markets, and periodic marketing as a part of a system of distribution of goods. and services in rural India. The salient features of periodic markets as a part of the bigger system are also noted. Based on the empirical evidence from the study area an attempt is made to suggest improve ments in the existing methods for the distribution of goods and services in rural India.

It is surprising to note that the current literature on periodic markets, and periodic marketing, does not analyse their significance for rural development and planning. The present study attempts to fill this gap at both descriptive and prescrip tive levels. It is hoped that the experience from south Bihar will be of interest to other States in India and, indeed, to many other countries of the Third World.