127

CHAPTER IV
DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES

4.1 Introduction
4.2 Growth of Population
4.3 Population Distribution
4.4 Land Population Ratio
4.5 Density of Population of Latur City
4.6 Sectorwise Sex Ratio of Latur city
4.7 Occupational Pattern of People in Latur City
4.8 Age Groups of Latur City
4.9 Religious Groups of Latur City
4.10 Languages of Latur city
References
 128

CHAPTER IV
DEMOGRAPHIC FEATURES

4.1: Introduction:-
In the previous chapter, morphological characteristics of Latur city
have been studied on micro-level. This includes Sectorwise landuse
patterns of the study region. The present chapter deals with demographic
characteristics of Latur city. It is useful to understand the socio-economic
conditions of the study region.
Guillard in 1855 used firstly the term demography. John Graunt
also made contribution to introduce the term demography. He defined
techniques of demographic analysis, which is known as ‘analysis
approach’. In contrast to it Thomas Robert Malthus presented a
‘Problem-approach in demography’ (Agarwal, 1972).
Presently, demography is studied as a separate branch of
knowledge. Earlier, demography was concerned only with the
enumeration of population. Today it studies the size, the composition and
distribution of population. Demography studies the birth, mortality,
migration and mobility, quantitatively (Sharma, 1997). Demography term
is derived from two Greek words Demos and graphy means the people to
draw. According to Donald J. Bogue, demography is the mathematical
study of size, composition and spatial distribution of human populations
and of changes overtime in these aspects through the operation of the five
processes of fertility, mortality, marraiage, migration and social mobility.
Spengler considered demography as an elaborate study of population.
According to Frank Lorimer modern demography is closely related to
 129

geography, economics, sociology, psychology, anthropology, mathemat-

ics, genetics and ecology.
According to Agrawal, demography deals with population
statistics and population studies deal with analytical interpretation of
population dynamics and composition which covers a wider area.
According to Trewartha (1969) numbers, densities and qualities of
population provide the essential background for Geography.
Demographic growth is an expression commonly used to signify the
quantitative as well as qualitative changes in the population. The growth
of population refers not only to numerical increase in the population but
also to the changes in the population structure. Davis, Riemer, Houser,
Schnore and Sjoberg all alike take the population factor as one of the
chief determinants in the growth of urban structure (Ackerman, 1961).
From the above discussion, it is clear that the demographic
characteristics of any city has got due importance from the point of view
of the socio-economic conditions. Hence, in the present chapter an
attempt has been made to study the growth of population, density,
distribution, sex-ratio, age and sex structure, religion and language
structure of Latur city.
A city essentially distinguishes itself from a rural habitat by its
population density characteristic and many other population attributes,
which vary considerably from a village to a city. Almost all urban
problems have their root in population problem, for they are essentially
the problems of the people and created by the people. Lack of
accommodation, congestion in the city, existence of slums inadequacy of
public utility services and unemployment all are necessarily linked with
the population problem.
 130

The city planner can use population study as an index of the

cumulative effect of many factors in the growth of the city. The rising
tempo of industrial and commercial activities is marked by a concurrent
increase of working force and a general addition to the population.
Change in population is no doubt the result, but could be also a cause
affecting city life (Sawant, 1994).
The study of the population of Latur city is very important because
it promotes our understanding of the growth of the city. It also brings into
focus the rapidly growing socio economic problems that have appeared
in the wake of the unprecedented rise in the city’s population during the
last 50 years.
The objectives of the study are to study and focus attention on the
manifold demographical problems of small city like Latur which are
often overlooked because of their unimpressive sizes, compared to cities
and metropolises. But in essence, the degree of the problems remains
acute to a great extent ever in these small towns like Latur. Urban
problems are acute because of lack of resources available with the
municipal authorities, and the dimensions of the urban problems are
precariously big. Urban densities are quite high as the horizontal spread
is the rule in the absence of the vertical climb. The paradox of urban
congestion is that they exist in an acute form although there is ample
scope for urban spread. Congestion, coupled with bad housing facilities,
has made the problem further worse. In this chapter various aspects of
urban population have been studied with the background of the region as
a whole.
 131

4.2: The Growth of Population:-

Population is an important aspect of demographic study through
which an impact of other resources can be realized which have been
either deterrent or incentive to population growth. Whatever may be the
form of development, Sectoral or spatial, the development impulses, find
their expression in human settlement systems and population living
therein (Mishra, 1980). Thus, growth of population is pivotal to the
regions demography dynamism.
There are different methods to determine the growth of urban
population. The growth of population of a region may be measured as a)
absolute growth b) relative growth c) rate of growth and so on (Ghose,
1985). The absolute growth of urban population shows the amount of net
increase in a particular period. It shows the magnitude of problems
arising out of the extra number of people in towns. The growth rate of
urban centre provides a good index for comparative studies and at the
same time examines the speed at which this process of urbanization is
taking place (Bhende and Kanitkar, 2001).
The growth rate of Latur city has been calculated with the help of
Gibbs method (1966).
Formula

r= , x 100

Where
r = Annual growth rate of population in percent
P1 = The population of initial period of time
P2 = The population of Later period
tl = The time interval between P2 and P1
 132

Here an attempt is made to analyze the growth of population after

independence i.e. from 1951 to 2011. From 1951 to 1961 the population
figures of Latur city shows slow and gradual increase in population. This
is due to high death rate and low birth rate. Population increased very
rapidly from 1971 to 1981. This was due to educational and commercial
development, formation of industries like cooperative oil industry,
Weaning industrial units, dal mills and establishment of MIDC in Latur.
Then from 1981 to 2001 the population of Latur increased rapidly. Latur
became a district head quarter in the year 1982. After the changes of its
administrative states its population increased rapidly. The population of
Latur started increasing rapidly due to establishment of different general
colleges, engineering college, medical college and progress in industrial
development as well as due to extension of municipal limit.
Table No. 4.1
Growth Rate of Population of Latur City
(1951 to 2011)
Year Persons Decade variation Growth
Rate in %
Numbers %
Per Year

1951 35354 - - -

1961 43218 7864 22.24 2.00

1971 73545 30327 70.17 5.19

1981 119795 46250 62.88 4.78

1991 197408 77613 64.78 4.89

2001 299985 102577 51.96 4.12

2011 382754 82769 27.59 2.42

 133

*2021 486146 103392 27.01 2.37

*2031 615060 128914 26.51 2.34

Source: Census Handbook of Latur District from 1951 to 2011

*Projected population

Growth Rate of Population of Latur City

8
7
6
Percentage

5
4
3
2
1
0
1951 1961 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021 2031

Year

Fig. No. 4.1

Table No. 4.1 and Fig. No. 4.1 reveal
revealss that in the year 1951 the
total population of Latur was 35354. D
During
uring first decade after
independence the growth rate was 22.24% or annual growth rate of
2.00%. During the decade 61 to 71 the growth was 70.17.. The
T growth
rate of population during this de
decade
cade was highest due to the industrial,
commercial and educational development. In the decade 1971 to 1981
growth rate of population was 62.88% and it was lower than earlier
decade.. During the decade 1981 to 1991 the growth rate of total
population was 64.178%
4.178%. In
n nineties the decennial growth rate was
51.96% and the annual growth rate was 4.12%.
 134

The growth of population of Latur city shows ups and downs. Very
lowest growth rate was found during 1951 to 1961 and highest growth
rate was found during 1961 to 1971 (Fig. No. 4.1). This table also shows
the arithmetic progression population of Latur city for the year 2021 and
2031. According to the arithmetic progression the estimated population
of the Latur City would be 486146 and 615060 persons for the year 2021
and 2031 decades respectively.
4.3: Population Distribution of Latur City
The areal population distribution of Latur is not uniform
throughout the city. In general the concentration of population is heavy in
the CBD region and thins out to the peripheries from the core, which
itself is a very common phenomenon observed in case of all the urban
communities of the country. Same trend is found in case of Latur.
In the year 1991, out of the total 197408 persons 54474 persons
were concentrated in Sector No. I. This is maximum in Latur city. More
than 1/4th population of Latur city was concentrated in Sector No. I.
Remaining 3/4th population was distributed in remaining 10 Sectors.
Lowest concentration of population was observed in Sector No. VI. Only
1878 persons were concentrated in this Sector.
Table No. 4.2
Sectorwise Population of Latur City
Sr. Sector 1991 2011
No.
Population Percentage Population Percentage

1. Sector -I 52474 26.58 105151 27.47

2. Sector -II 16820 8.52 33652 08.79

3. Sector -III 25862 13.10 56782 14.0

 135

4. Sector -VI 21075 10.68 40370 10.77

5. Sector -V 3432 1.74 4543 01.10

6. Sector -VI 1878 0.95 3682 00.90

7. Sector -VII 17708 8.97 37158 09.70

8. Sector -VIII 16615 8.42 32637 08.5

9. Sector -IX 11752 5.95 22825 06.97

10. Sector -X 17105 8.66 32628 08.55

11 Sector -XI 12687 6.43 13326 03.48

Total 197408 100 382754 100.00

Source: Town Planning Dept. of Latur
In the year 1991, more than 50% of the population of Latur city
concentrated in three Sectors i.e. Sector No. I, Sector No. III and Sector
No. IV. Remaining 50% population was concentrated in eight Sectors.
This shows the uneven distribution of population in Latur city.
In the year 2011, the pattern of Sectorwise concentration of
population is observed similar to the pattern of population concentration
of the year 1991. In the year 2011, maximum population of the city more
than one lack is found concentrated in Sector No. I. This is oldest part of
the city. Minimum concentration of population less than 5% is found in
Sector No. V, VI and XI. Sectorwise population of Latur city is presented
in Table No. 4.2.
4.4: Land Population Ratio
The land population ratio (L/P Ratio) will present a comprehensive
account of the population distribution at Latur. It will eliminate the error
of varied sizes of different Sectors which either inflates or deflates
 136

population figures. Therefore, land population ratio has been employed

as a tool to measure degree of population concentration in different
Sectors of the Latur city.
As per this technique, the area of different Sectors has been
calculated in percentages of the total area of the city. The Sector wise
population figures are also similarly represented in percentages of the
total population of the city.
This has been done to bring out the area as well as population
figures to a common denominator and to calculate the land population
ratio of each Sector. Theoretically, it has been conceived that the
optimum population distribution in any urban community should be
uniform throughout the city and 1% of land should accommodate 1% of
population is 1:1. It shows the optimum condition of distribution of
population. If the L/P ratio disturbed is either low or high population
concentration in the Sector will be in question.
Table No.4.3
Land Population Ratio of Latur
Sector % area 1991 2011
No. to the
% Population L/P % Population L/P
total
to the total ratio to the total ratio
area
Population Population

I 10.89 26.58 1:2.44 27.47 2.522

II 5.85 8.85 1:1.51 8.79 1.502

III 7.65 13.10 1:1.71 14.0 1.83

IV 5.63 10.68 1:1.89 10.77 1.900

V 9.75 1.74 1:0.17 1.10 0.112

 137

VI 6.09 0.95 1:0.1 0.90 0.147

VII 6.52 8.97 1:1.37 9.70 1.487

VIII 11.65 8.42 1:0.72 8.5 1.303

IX 8.49 5.95 1:0.70 6.97 1.428

X 21.95 8.66 1:0.39 8.55 0.804

XI 5.57 6.43 1:1.15 3.48 1.329

Source: Census of India, 1991

Table No. 4.3 reveals that the land population ratio is not even. In
the year 1991, highest population in percent has been observed in Sector
No. I with 26.58% whereas lowest i.e. 0.95% in Sector No. VI. Highest
that is 1:2.44 L/P ratio has been observed in Sector one whereas lowest
i.e. 1:0.1 was found in Sector sixth. In Sector No. II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII,
IX, X and XI population in percent has been observed as 8.85, 13.10,
10.68, 1.74, 0.95, 8.97, 8.42, 5.95 8.66 and 6.43% respectively. In Sector
No. II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX, X and XI L/P ratio has been observed as
1:1.51, 1:1.71 1:1.89, 1:1.17, 1:1.01, 1:1.37, 1.072, 1.070, 1.039 and
1.115 respectively.
In the year 2011, highest population in percent has been observed
again in Sector No. I with 27.47% population and lowest percent
population in Sector No. VI with 0.90 percent population. Less than 5
percent population of Latur is again found in Sector No. V, VI and XI.
In the year 2011, the highest land-population ratio is
observed in Sector No. I. The land population ratio is recorded as
1:2.522. On the other hand land population ratio is recorded lowest that is
1:012 in Sector No. V.
 138

4.5: Density of Population of Latur City

The density of population, usually calculated very crudely by
following the P/A ratio, often leads to wrong conclusions. The density of
population indicates the man-land ratio. The distribution of population in
terms of number degree of concentration, size and spacing of settlements
are the fundamentals aspects of the settlement Geography. It includes the
analysis of concentration of population. It also provides a base for the
analysis of other attributes of population (Spate and Learmonth, 1967).
The pattern of density distribution is useful for urban planning.
Latur, with a total municipal area of 3255.95 hectare has got a total
population of 197408 in 1991 and thus per hectare density works out
60.62 persons. In the year 2011, the density of population increased to
117.55 persons per hectare.
When the density of population (Table No. 4.4) is being calculated
for the 798.51 hectares of urbanized area it works out to be 60.62 persons
per hectare in the year 1991 and 117.55 persons in 2011. This figure is
also misleading as per hectare density of urbanized area which ranges
from as low as 9.46 persons in Sector No. VI to highest as 148.53
persons in Sector No. I, in the year 1991 and in the year 2011 as low as
12.23 persons in Sector No. V and maximum to 297.65 persons in Sector
No. I. The destiny of population was observed lower than the average of
the city in Sector No.V, VI, VIII, IX, X and XI (Table No. 4.4.)
 139

Table No. 4.4

Variation in Population Density of Latur City
Sector Density Per Hectare
No.
1991 2011

I 148.53 297.65

II 88.37 176.81

III 103.83 227.98

IV 114.88 220.07

V 10.81 12.230

VI 9.46 18.55

VII 83.41 175.02

VIII 43.79 86.024

IX 42.52 85.59

X 23.92 45.64

XI 69.95 73.47

Total 60.62 117.55

Source: Census of India, 1991 and 2011

Thus there is very high sectorwise variation in density of

population than the average urbanized density figures of Latur. In the
year 1991 and also in the year 2011 the density of population is found
highest in Sector No. I. It is oldest part of city. In the year 1991 lowest
density was observed in Sector No. VI, in 2011 lowest density is
recorded in Sector No. V. The density of population was observed lower
than the average of the city in Sector No. V, VI, VIII, IX and X in the
 140

year 1991 and in the year 2011 it is found in Sector No. V, VI, VIII, IX,
X and XI. Sector No. I to IV are found densely populated in the year
1991 and in 2011.
4.6: Sectorwise Sex Ratio of Latur City
The sex ratio is useful to know the socio-economic characteristics
of the town. It is also useful to understand the reproductive performance,
mortality, occupational structure and the migratory character of the
population. Areas that have a well balanced sex composition are likely to
have a faster growth of population as a result of the process of natural
increase than the areas that have an unbalanced sex composition.
Table No. 4.5
Sex Ratio of Latur City
No. of females per
Males Females 1000 males

Sector No. 1991 2011 1991 2011 1991 2011

I 26827 54031 25647 51120 956 946

II 8617 17327 8203 16325 952 942

III 13283 29282 12579 27500 947 939

IV 10931 20993 10144 19377 928 923

V 1256 2349 1176 2194 936 934

VI 981 1925 897 1757 914 912

VII 9180 19269 8528 17889 929 928

 141

VIII 8649 16944 7966 15693 921 926

IX 6077 11815 5675 11010 934 931

X 8799 16812 8306 15816 944 941

XI 3898 6897 3645 6429 935 932

Total 98498 197644 92766 185110 936 932

Source: Census of India, 1991 and 2011

Although the number of two sexes are not widely different, their
disparities is of interest of geographers. Because the nature of sex ratio
affects on the different aspects of population (Chandana, 1992). It affects
marriage, birth rate, death rate, labour supply and population growth. In
India it is generally expressed as the ratio of females per thousand males.
A study of the sex ratio of Latur city shows that it has been changing
unevenly from decade to decade. In the year 1991 the sex ratio was 936
females per 1000 males. Whereas it decreases to 932 in the year 2011.
During the decade the spread of education was more rapid among the
males than in female. Hence there was a preponderance of male students
coming to the city from the rural areas. The increase can be partly
explained on the ground that the limits of Latur city were extended far
and wide to include large rural areas in the neighborhood of the city.
The addition of rural population to that of the city might have been
responsible to some degree. For this increase it may be noted that this
rise was during the period when the industries were flourishing. The sex
ratio for the year 2011 for Latur is 932 which does not call for any
special explanation.
 142

A comparison with the other cities of that Latur and Pune have
comparatively less number of females per 1000 males than the remaining
cities. It can be explained on the grou
ground
nd that Latur is fast developing as
an important industrial and commercial centre and as such, the influx of
the males as workers is growing. The second feature is that Latur and to
some extent Pune, have less number of females per 1000 males among
total workers. Nasik and Solaplur stand out clearly in the female workers.
However, in case of the total male workers and male non workers the
variation is not so remarkable. A high proportion of male and female non
workers at Latur, Pune, Aurangabad and Nasik ar
aree because of the
equable climate at these places.

Sex Ratio of Latur City

960

950

940

930

920

910

900 1991
2011
890

Fig No. 4.2

A Sector wise study of the sex ratio for the year 2011
reveals that the numbers of females per 1000 males are below the
 143

average for the city in case of IV, VI, VII VIII and IX Sector, while those
for I, II, III, V and X Sector have higher than the average (Table No. 4.5
and Fig No. 4.2). The presence of a large number of industrial and
commercial establishments in the VII and VIII Sector and also a large
number of hostels for male students in the VI and VII Sector, is
responsible for a comparatively low sex ratio in these Sector, Sector VI
has the lowest number of females per 1000 males, for the reasons
mentioned above. Sector No. III, V and X includes such suburbs as
agricultural in character, and therefore a higher sex ratio is expected in
these suburbs. The actual sex ratio for the industrial areas of MIDC, India
Nagar, Sugar mills and their neighborhood have lower sex ratio.

The number of females per thousand males is fairly high at Gandhi

nagar areas which is mainly residential. In Labour colony which is the
residential area of the working class, a comparatively higher sex ratio is
observed compared to the area around the Shivaji Chowk in the V Sector,
which is mainly commercial in character.
4.7: Occupational Pattern of People in Latur City
Occupation is the name of function which a person performs by
engaging himself in some gainful activity. It indicates the degree of
employment or unemployment. It is useful to know the social and
economic characteristics of the city. In the census year 1991 in Latur city
the cultivators were only 3.63 percent, agricultural labourers were 6.76
percent and mining and quarrying group only 1.18 percent workers were
occupied. The percentage of working population in these activity group
decreased in the year 2011 (Refer Table No. 4.6 and Fig. No. 4.3)
 144

The census of 1991 records the workers and non workers,

separately. In the year 2011 out of the total workers, only 0.94 percent
were engaged in the household industry and about 16.4% were engaged
in manufacturing other than household industry. About 26.35% of the
total workers were engaged in trade and commerce. In the year 1991 the
share of the workers engaged in the household industry and in
manufacturing remains almost the same as during the preceding census
year.
In the year 1991 and 2011 other service group has recorded highest
working population that is 28.76 percent and 29.21 percent respectively
followed by trade and commerce activity group with 26.51 percent and
26.35 percent respectively.
Table No. 4.6
Occupational Pattern of People in Latur City
Sr. Livelihood class Population Percentage to
No. engaged in the total workers
occupation

1991 2011 1991 2011

1 Cultivaters 1920 3520 3.63 3.27

2 Agricultural labourer 3568 6958 6.76 6.47

3 Mining, quarrying, 625 988 1.18 0.91

livestock, forestry,
fishing, hunting and
plantation, orchards and
allied activities

4 Household industry 491 1012 0.93 0.94

5 Manufacturing other 8671 17621 16.43 16.4

 145

than household industry

6 Construction 4303 9454 8.14 8.79

7 Trade and commerce 13997 28304 26.51 26.35

8 Transport, storage and 4045 8214 7.66 7.65

communications

9 Other services 15191 31370 28.76 29.21

Total 52811 107441 100 100

Source: Census of India, 1991 and 2011.

Though, no rigid spatial distribution of population by occupation is

decipherable in the city, certain broad features may be noticed, as
mentioned below. The trading communities are concentrated in the centre
of the city. They are also found in Ambajogai road, Ausa road and
Barshi road. The sarafs and key lenders are concentrated in Ganjgolai as
noted before. In other words, they are found in the main business areas of
the city. The preponderance of workers is found in the areas that area
near the industrial and commercial zones of the city.
 146

Occupational Pattern of People in Latur City

30
Percentages 25
20
15
10
5
0 1991
2011

Fig. No., 4.3

The workers residing in the distant suburbs are mainly agricultural.
It can be easily noted that these distant suburbs are also located near the
agricultural belt. The workers are found mostly in the Labour colony,
Gandhi nagar, Bauddha nagar, Indra nagar, Ganjgolai area, Shahu
chowk, Vivekanand chowk, Babhalgaon road, Nanded road, Barshi road
and around Manjra sugar factory.
4.8: Age Groups of Latur C
City
Age structure of the populati
population
on is one of the most important
variables in population study because it determines almost every aspect
of social and economic life. Fertility; mortality and migration are affected
by age structure. The distribution of the population of Latur city by age
groups
roups is discussed below. The percentage of persons in the age groups
of <15 to that of the city’s total population was about 37.56% that of 15
to 30 it wass about 29.95 and the age groups 30 to 45 account for about
 147

19.00 percent (Table No. 4.7 and Fig No. 4.4). It means that the vigorous
age groups from <15 to 45 account for about 86.51 percent of the city’s
total population. Latur is educational centre and there are several hostels
in the city for the outside students. Migration of students in the city from
rural areas is more. Moreover, there are young working population is also
more in industrial areas. Therefore, population below 45 age group was
recorded high.
This vigorous age group expected to be present in the workers
areas of labour colony, Gandhi nagar, Bauddha nagar, Indra nagar,
Ganjgolai area, Shahu chowk, vivekanand chowk, Babhalgaon road,
Nanded road, Barshi road etc. The student’s population is concentrated in
the various hostels in the Sector No. IV,V, VI and X mainly.
Table No. 4.7
Age Groups of Latur City
Sr. Age groups Absolute figure Percentage
No.

1 <15 143762 37.56

3 15-30 114635 29.95

4 30-45 72723 19.00

5 45-60 33759 8.82

6 60> 17875 4.67

7 Total 382754 100.00

Sources: Census of India, 2011

 148

The
he male population is considerably higher than the female
population in Latur city in all Sectors. In fact, the gap in the male and
female component of population increases after 15 and remains so till 45
when it starts tending to be normal. An imbalance of sex ratio in fact is to
be ascribed
bed to preponderance of male population in the age group of 15-
45. This is the working population age group useful for development.
The
he numerical inequality of sexes has posed certain social problems. The
imbalanced sex ratio has also affected birth rate.

Age Groups of Latur City

4.67
8.82
37.56
19 <15
15-30
30-45
45-60
29.95 60>

Fig. No. 4.4

The non working population of the city in the age group below 15
and above 60 years is free from all disturbing effects of large scale
migration and is representative of the sex ratio of the permanent settlers
of Latur, as the persons wi
with
th their interest only in service move to their
 149

villages in their old age and population contains only the permanent
settlers with normal sex ratio.
The decline in population in the age group above 35 years, though
distressing is quite in conformity with the low average expectancy of
Indian. This is associated with migration of people to the villages in old
age. This works toward reducing the old age population in the city. Latur
is fortunate in having a moderately low percentage of old persons and
high percentage of working population.

4.9: Religious Groups of Latur City

About 62 percent of the population of Latur consists of Hindus

followed by Muslims 13 percent and Buddhists 12.98 percent (Table No.
4.8 and Fig. No. 4.5 ). The population of Latur is primarily Hindu and the
city is a typical Hindu city. There are numerous Hindu temples all over
the city. This is because of the fact that the hinterland of Latur consisting
mainly the region populated by people mostly believing in Hinduism.
Table No.4.8
Religious Groups of Latur City
Sr. Religion group Absolute figure Percentage
No.

1 Hindu 237307 62.00

2 Muslim 49758 13.00

3 Jain 26793 07.00

4 Buddhist 49688 12.98

5 Christian 15380 04.02

6 Others 3828 01.00

 150

382754 100.00

Sources: Census of Indi

India, 2011
Latur was under political domination of Muslims right from the 16th
century upto the 20th century, and this explains the existence of a fairly
sizeable population of Muslims in Latur. During the Muslim rule large
number of Muslim families came and settled in Latur while during the
same period a sizeable number of Hindu families were converted. A
fairly sizeable population of Christians in Latur is the influence of
missionary activities during the British rule when large number of
Hindus were converted
nverted to Christianity. After the independence, the

Religious Groups of Latur City (%)

4.02 1
12.98

7 Hindu
Muslim
Jain
13 62
Buddhist
Christian
Others

Fig. No. 4.5

backward class Hindus or Harijans, following the late Dr. Babasaheb
Ambedkar, followed to Buddhism which accounts for sizeable
population. More than the linguistic groups, the religi
religious,
ous, particularly the
 151

Christians and Muslims show the tendency of nucleation. Christians are

concentrated in western Latur. The Muslims show a concentration in the
eastern half of the old core. These concentrations have their influence not
so much on the building structures as on the general aspect of the area
particularly during the day time marked by a change in the dress and
dialogue of the people, the nature, and arrangement of shops. A mosque
in a central place or a church on one side may further complete the visual
aspect of small religious enclaves in the city.
4.10: Languages of Latur City
The language spoken as mother tongue by majority of the people
in Latur is Marathi, the language of the region. Marathi is mother tongue
of more than two third of the people in the city. Next important linguistic
group is Urdu followed in successive order by Kannad, Hindi and
Telugu.
In the spatial distribution of language groups it is found that the
Urdu speaking people are mostly Muslims, who are congregated in the
Osmanpura, Labur colony etc. The Hindi and Kannad speaking people,
who are mostly traders, are to be found in all over part of the city. The
Marwadi speaking people are located in marwadi galli area. The vadars
or stone dressers of Vaddawadi speak a dialect of telugu language. The
Hindi language is spoken all over part of city.
The analysis of functional areas of Latur city will reveal common
functions of the city. Site, situation and history of the city and its
surroundings are some of the factors which affect on functions of the
city.