Patterns of rural-urban migration in India

Based on census data it is a pioneering effort to understand the characteristic patterns of rural to urban migration in three Indian States-Bihar, West Bengal and Kerala-in a cross-cultural perspective. The vast size and striking diversity of the country provide a promising context for a comparative analysis of demographic processes.

Although contrasts in economic conditions are much greater between West Bengal on the one hand and Bihar and Kerala on the other, differences in the patterns of migration selectivity are much sharper between Bihar and West Bengal on the one hand and Kerala on the other. Social and cultural variations, particularly with regard to the age at marriage, marriage practices, level of literacy, status of women and family type between North and South India seem to explain the differing patterns of migratory behaviour more than economic variables.

The author has used large scale census statistics to offer a comparative conspectus of patterns and processes of migration differentials in India in an interdisciplinary perspective. On all accounts this work is unusual in its theme, design, analysis and style of presentation and can be usefully adopted as a model for further investigations into demographic processes of a pluralistic society like that of India.

This book would stimulate deep interest and generate new insight in the analysts of Indian society, especially in the field of demography, sociology, social anthropology and human geography.