Economic interdependence between the village and the wider society is a fundamental feature of social and economic organisation in India. Villages, though often perceived as self-sufficient units, are in reality deeply connected with urban centres, markets, industries and state institutions. This interdependence is characterised by the continuous exchange of goods, services, labour, capital and information, creating a network that sustains both rural and urban life. At the economic level, villages primarily function as producers of agricultural goods, which form the backbone of the national economy. Crops such as rice, wheat, pulses, fruits and vegetables are supplied to towns and cities, ensuring food security for the wider population. In return, villages depend on urban areas for manufactured goods such as machinery, fertilizers, pesticides, clothing, medicines and consumer products. For example, a farmer relies on tractors, seeds and irrigation equipment produced in industrial centres, while urban populations rely on the farmer’s produce for daily consumption. This mutual dependence highlights the complementary roles played by rural and urban sectors. Labour mobility is another important aspect of this interdependence. Many