Explore PONDICHERRY
PUDUCHERRY – THE FRENCH RIVIERA OF THE EAST
The Union Territory of Pudhucherry (earlier Pondicherry)
comprises of the four unconnected, erstwhile French settlements of
Pudhucherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. While Karaikal lies 150 km south
of Pudhucherry on the east coast, Mahe is on the Malabar Coast and
Yanam in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. As you travel
down the scenic East Coast road you hit Pudhucherry about 160 kms
south of Chennai on the Coromandel Coast. It is bound on the east by the
Bay of Bengal and by South Arcot District of Tamil Nadu on the other
three sides. Pudhucherry traces its origin to Sage Agasthya. Its
shores have also been home to different cultures, from the Romans to the
French, who ruled for 300 years. Today, it exudes a charming picture
Geography
Puducherry consists of four unconnected districts: Puducherry,
Karaikal, and Yanam on the Bay of Bengal and Mahé on the Arabian Sea.
Puducherry and Karaikal are by far the larger ones, and are both
enclaves of Tamil Nadu. Yanam and Mahé are enclaves of Andhra Pradesh
and Kerala, respectively. The territory has a total area of 492 km²:
Puducherry (city) 293 km2 (113 sq mi), Karaikal 160 km2 (62 sq mi),
Mahé 9 km2 (3.5 sq mi) and Yanam 30 km2 (12 sq mi).
FRENCH INFLUENCE
Puducherry still retains much evidence of its history as a French
colony. The design of the city was based on the French. The entire
town is divided into two sections, the French Quarter ('Ville Blanche'
or 'White town') and the Indian quarter ('Ville Noire' or 'Black
Town'). The history of French India is led by Joseph Francois Dupleix,
governor general of the French establishment in India, and rival of
Robert Clive. Dupleix was primarily responsible for the Carnatic Wars.
At first Dupleix was successful in resisting the attacks of the
English East India Company, but he lost in the later battles.
There is also French influence in the layout of the city. The
numbering of the houses is unique compared to other cities in Tamil
Nadu, in that all with the even numbers are on one side and the odd
number are on the opposite side of the road.
History
According to mythologies and legends, Pondicherry was once the
dwelling place for the great Hindu sage Agastya. It was a major Vedic
centre and was called as Vedapuri. Excavations at Arikamedu have
revealed that there was a possibility that this could have been a
port town and there might be a Roman rule and settlement here before
2000 years. It had trade links with Rome and Greece that continued
till the period of the Cholas during the 10th and the 11th century. The
Pallavas, the Pandiyas, the Muslim rulers also invaded and ruled
over this place for quite some time.
Historical uniqueness
In the early 16th century the Portuguese established their supremacy
in Pondicherry. They ruled for a while. Then the Dutch and the French
people entered this place for trade reasons and then started ruling
this territory. In 1673 the French started ruling the territory.
During the rule of the French in Pondicherry there were several minor
conflicts and battles fought between the French and the Britishers to
capture Pondicherry. After several conflicts finally both the countries
came to a conclusion and an agreement was signed where Pondicherry
was given back to the French by the Britishers. In the year 1954,
Pondicherry was retained back to India by the French.
