Pondicherry , now known as Puducherry , is the capital and the most-populous city of the Union Territory of Puducherry in India. The city is in the Puducherry district on the southeast coast of India and is surrounded by the state of Tamil Nadu, with which it shares most of its culture, heritage and language.
The original name of the territory, Putucceri derived from the Tamil words putu (“new”) and ceri (“village”). Sometime this town was called Pondicherry and officially the name was changed to Puducherry in 2006. Though very small, Pondicherry was the largest French colony in India. The city has a long and interesting history of trade and war. There is a strong French influence in the city, especially in the old quarters, with Rues and Boulevards lined with Mediterranean-style houses and bakeries, although the city remains very much Indian. French is still understood, and the whole city makes for rather a pleasant mix of East and West.
It is also known as The French Riviera of the East (La Côte d’Azur de l’Est). If you’ve spent some time in Tamil Nadu and approached Pondicherry by land, you’ll very likely experience mild culture shock on discovering French architecture and restaurants serving steak and good wine. Pondicherry is very much a city with a dual personality: crossing from East to West of the central canal reveals two cities with very different characters. Also taken from the French culture is the population’s large belief in Catholicism and Christianity, which is a stark contrast from the heavily Hindu rest of India.
The history of Pondicherry is recorded only after the arrival of Dutch, Portuguese, British and French traders. On 18 March 1954, a number of resolutions were passed by the municipalities in Pondicherry demanding immediate merger with India. Some days later, similar resolutions were passed by the municipalities in Karaikal. The resolutions had the full support of the French Indian Councillors, who are popularly known as Ministers, and the President of the Representative Assembly. These Municipalities represent roughly 90 percent of the population of the French possessions and they called upon the Government of France to take urgent and necessary measures to give effect to the wishes of the people.
The Government of India had made it clear that the cultural and other rights of the people would be fully respected. They were not asking for the immediate transfer of the de jure sovereignty of France. Their suggestion was that a de facto transfer of the administration should take place immediately, while French sovereignty should continue until the constitutional issue had been settled. Both India and France would have to make necessary changes in their respective Constitutions. All this would take time, while the demand of the people was for immediate merger without a referendum. The Government of India was convinced that the suggestion which they made would help to promote a settlement, which they greatly desired. They would gladly enter into negotiations with the Government of France on the basis suggested.
On 18 October 1954 in a general election involving 178 people in Pondicherry Municipal and Commune Panchayat, 170 people were in favour of merger and eight people voted against. The de facto transfer of the French Indian territories from French governance to the Indian union took place on 1 November 1954 and was established as the union territory of Pondicherry. The treaty effecting the transfer was signed in 1956. However, due to opposition in France, the ratification of this treaty by the French National Assembly only took place on 16 August 1962.
One can cover all main points of this historic city of Pondicherry on a day trip (about 8 hours) if you have a private vehicle. Two days are more than enough to cover all spots leisurely. Anything more if you want to take things very slow and enjoy the city.
Top 10 Tourist attractions to see in Pondicherry
- Sri Aurobindo Ashram
- Auroville
- Promenade
- The Basilica of the Sacred Heat of Jesus
- Pondicherry Botanical Garden
- Old Lighthouse
- Jawahar Toy Museum
- French War Memorial
- Pondicherry Museum
- Eglise de Nore Dame des Agnes