In recent times, the demographic character of most independence era cantonments has changed, as they are no longer primarily "garrison" areas, and include significant civilian populations and private businesses. Based on the strength of civil population, the cantonments have been divided into three classes. Class I Cantonments, in which the civil population is one hundred thousand or more; Class II Cantonments, in which the civil population is fifty thousands or more but less than one hundred thousand; and Class III Cantonments, in which the civil population is less than fifty thousand.