State of India - Pondicherry

Area: 492 sq km

Population: 8,07,785

Capital Of City: Pondicherry

Languages: Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, English and French

How You Know: Pondicherry still has a large number of Tamil residents with French passports. These are people whose ancestors were in French Governmental service and who chose to remain French at the time of Independence.

History: The Union Territory of Pondicherry includes the former French establishments of Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam in South India (near the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala). Pondicherry, the capital of the territory was once the original headquarters of the French in India. History The origin of Pondicherry is buried in legends. According to one view, the town was once called Vedapuri and was a seat of Vedic culture. It was also the abode of Sage Agastya. The Pallavas ruled it in the 4th centry A.D., the Chola's ruled in the 10th century and the Pandayas in the 13th century. Later the Vijayanagar Empire took control of the area. Their rule lasted till 1638, when the Sultan of Bijapur took control of the area. In 1497 the Portuguese discovered the route to India and began to expand their influence by occupying coastal areas and building harbour towns. After that the Danes and the Dutch set up an establishment. Fundu Fact During the British rule in India, Pondicherry used to be a hide-out for freedom fighters who wanted to escape the the British authorities. Many freedom fighters like Aurobindo Ghosh, Subramania Bharathi, V.V.Subramania Iyer and Subramania Siva took refuge in Pondicherry. In 1673, February 4th, Bellanger, a French officer, took up residence in the Danish Lodge in Pondicherry and the French Period of Pondicherry began. In 1674 Francois Martin, the first Governor, started to build Pondicherry and transformed it from a small fishing village into a flourishing port-town. Dupleix (1742-1754) was one of the most ambitious French governors. He managed to expand French control in India and dreamed of an all India French empire. His dreams were shattered by Robert Clive, a dare-devil English officer, who defeated Dupleix and ended the French hopes of have a colonial empire in India. On November 1, 1954, the French possessions in India were de facto transferred to the Indian Union and Pondicherry became a Union Territory ending 280 years of French rule in the region. But Pondicherry became officially a part of India as late as 1963 after the French Parliament in Paris ratified the Treaty with India. Having once served as the capital of the French India, Pondicherry still retains some of the original French flavour. Colonial architecture including old churches and public buildings speak of the French heritage in India. The Hotel de Ville, the War Memorial, the 4.25 m-tall Gandhi statue, the 27 m (old) lighthouse and the Dupleix statue are the notable attractions along the 1.5 km-long promenade. The Botanical Garden in the town is a memorial left behind by the French. The Auroville ashram attracts a large number of Indians and foreigners. Also known as the Centre of Integral Yoga, this ashram was founded in 1920 by the famous thinker and freedom fighter Sri Aurobindo. The Chunnambar Water Sports Centre Chunnambar about 8 kilometers from Pondicherry town, has ideal facilities for boating, sailing and kayaking. Festivals Pongal, the grandest festival of Tamils, is celebrated with great fanfare and enthusiasm. The three-day celebration is the mark of harvest end and thanks giving. During this time people used to exchange 'Pongal'- the sweet rice item (a must), sweets and greetings. Masimagam Festival around mid-March is the time when the deities of sixty four temples from in and around Pondicherry are brought in the 'Temple car' to the beach for sea bath rituals after which they are taken back to their temples. Fete De Pondicherry is a cutural festival organised every year between August 15 and 17 to mark the Independence Day of Pondicherry.