Can one imagine the presence of only one-function town? Why do the cities become multi-functional?
It is difficult to imagine the presence of a purely one-function town in reality. While towns and cities are classified on the basis of their dominant or specialised functions, the context clearly states that each town performs a number of functions. For example, Varanasi is known as both a religious town and an educational town.
Cities become multi-functional due to their dynamic nature. The functions of cities are not static and they change over time. As towns develop, they naturally diversify their activities beyond their original specialisation.
When specialised cities grow into metropolises, they inevitably become multi-functional. Functions such as industry, business, administration, and transport become important alongside the original specialised function. For instance, a mining town may develop administrative offices and transport facilities as it expands.
Over time, these various functions become so intertwined that the city cannot be categorised in any particular functional class. The enlargement of urban centres and the emergence of new towns further contribute to this transformation, making multi-functional cities the norm in urban development.
Explanation
The answer draws directly from the textbook's discussion on Functional Classification of Towns. The key points are: (1) towns are classified based on dominant/specialised functions, but each performs multiple functions; (2) cities are dynamic and not static in their functions; (3) specialised cities become multi-functional as they grow into metropolises; (4) functions become intertwined over time. Examples like Varanasi (both religious and educational) support the argument that single-function towns are rare.