Puducherry, also known as Pondicherry, is a Union Territory in India with a rich history shaped by its colonial heritage and unique cultural identity. For over three centuries, this territory was under French rule, which profoundly influenced its evolution. Initially established as a French trading post, Puducherry has transformed into a vibrant Union Territory, reflecting a fascinating and complex journey through time. The interplay of colonial influences and local traditions continues to define its character, making Puducherry a distinctive destination in India.
The history of Puducherry dates back to 1674, when the French East India Company established a trading post in the area. The strategic location of Puducherry along the southeastern coast of India made it an attractive site for trade, particularly in spices and textiles. Over the years, the French fortified their hold on the territory, developing it into a thriving center of commerce.
Pondicherry served as the capital of French India between 1761 to 1954. It existed as a safe haven for many revolutionaries including Subramania Bharati, C Rajagopalachari, Lala Lajpat Rai and Aurobindo Ghosh, who confided in the intellectually and culturally vibrant environment that was characteristic of Pondicherry.
Puducherry's significance extended beyond trade; it also became a cultural hub. The French influence is evident in the architecture, cuisine, and lifestyle of the region. The blend of Indian and French cultures created a unique identity for Puducherry, setting it apart from other regions in India. French colonial policies, education, and governance played a pivotal role in shaping the socio-political landscape of Puducherry.
The French maintained control over Puducherry and its surrounding territories, including Karaikal, Yanam, Mahé, and Chandernagore, until the mid-20th century. Despite the growing tide of nationalism and independence across India, Puducherry remained a French colony. It wasn’t until India gained independence in 1947 that the question of Puducherry’s future came to the forefront.
When India gained independence, five tiny French enclaves existed, divided across the Arabian Sea and the Lakshadweep Islands. These were:
Pondicherry: about 150 km south of Madras (now Chennai);
Karaikal: on the eastern coast, about 130 km further south of Pondicherry;
Yanam: on the eastern coast, over 800 km north of Pondicherry;
Chandernagore: on the outskirts of Calcutta, nearly 2000 km north of Pondicherry;
Mahé: on the western coast, over 600 km west of Pondicherry.
At its Jaipur session in December 1948, the Indian National Congress passed a resolution declaring that “the continued existence of any foreign possessions in India becomes anomalous and opposed to the conception of India’s unity and freedom.” Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru further emphasized in February 1949 that it was natural and proper to unite all foreign possessions within the country with the Union of India and that this would be done “through friendly discussions with the powers concerned.”
Even though India and France issued a joint declaration to resolve the matter amicably, France was deeply concerned about the possible repercussions that decisions regarding its Indian territories might have on the future of its colonial holdings around the world. France, under the leadership of Paul Ramadier, therefore attempted to prolong negotiations and postpone actual decolonization for as long as it could.
In June 1948, the French and Indian governments agreed to hold separate referendums in each of the five territories to allow the local population to determine their future. In March 1949, the municipal councils of the four territories of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahé decided that the referendums would be held on December 11 of that year. However, the municipal assembly of Chandernagore declared a referendum unnecessary and attempted to merge with India.
The French rejected this decision and attempted to postpone the referendum to December. Eventually, the referendum was held on June 19, 1949. The people of Chandernagore voted almost unanimously to merge with India. France transferred the administration of Chandernagore to India on May 2, 1950, and legally ceded the territory by signing a treaty on February 2, 1951. In 1954, Chandernagore was merged into the state of West Bengal.
France attempted to frame the issue as a purely domestic matter and offered Pondicherry the status of an associated state, providing free autonomy within the French Union. In response, India enforced restrictions around French India, including customs duties and requiring residents to possess passports to travel through Indian territory. Eventually, these restrictions were relaxed, but the dilemma of merging with India continued to dominate the minds of many, including some pro-French members.
After suffering heavy defeats in battles in Southeast Asia, France signed the Geneva Accords on July 20, 1954, agreeing to remove all its troops from Vietnam. Suddenly, France had no use for its Indian territories, which had served as a transit point and supply line to Southeast Asia. As a result, when India and France met in New Delhi in September 1954 for what would be the final round of talks, France agreed to drop the idea of a referendum. It was decided that the elected representatives of French India would determine the fate of the territories.
On October 8, 1954, the elected representatives of French India met at Kizhoor and voted almost unanimously in favor of merging with India. France signed an agreement to the same effect less than two weeks later, and the formal transfer of power from France to India occurred on November 1, 1954. Puducherry (which also included Karaikal, Yanam, and Mahé) was brought under central administration.
After France ratified the treaty in 1962, the collective territory of Puducherry was designated as a Union Territory. The year after the French ratification, the Indian Parliament passed the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963, which established legislative assemblies and councils of ministers in five Union Territories, including Puducherry. Édouard Goubert became the first Chief Minister of Puducherry as a member of the Indian National Congress.
Pondicherry was a Westernized adaptation of the original Tamil name, Puducherry, meaning ‘new village’. On September 13, 2006, the Pondicherry (Alteration of Name) Act was passed, restoring the territory's original Tamil name of Puducherry.
For the longest time, the four French territories merged with India in 1954 existed as separate districts under the Union Territory of Puducherry. Recently, Mahé and Yanam have been merged under Puducherry district as outlying administrative units, while Karaikal continues to be a district under the UT.
Sources:
Administrative Atlas of India (2011)
Origin Story of India’s States (2020) Venkata Raghavns
We the People of the States of Bharat (2022) Chopra Sanjeev
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