| Pondicherry History |
The enchanting Indian Union Territory of Pondicherry--earlier known as Poduke and Podukay--has a rich and chequered history dating thousands of years. Believed to be the land of the famous sage Agastya, Pondicherry, also called Pondy, was earlier also known as Vedpuri.
Since long, the place has attracted people from far off places, many of whom came to Pondicherry for trade purposes. The existence of the port town of Arikamedu at Pondicherry proves the place had close trade links with the Romans and Greeks in the distant past; in fact, about 2000 years ago. The Romans had actually also settled at Pondicherry.
Later, it was ruled by the Pallavas, the Pandyas, the Cholas and the many Muslim rulers--such as the Sultan of Bijapur--who controlled the territory for many years before it passed to some of the western powers led by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the English, and finally, the French.
Among the many western powers, France controlled the territory for the longest period. France had arrived on the scene in 1673 on an invitation of the then ruler of the territory who wanted to use the French power to drive out the Danes from Pondicherry. France drove out the Danes only to later occupy Pondicherry themselves.
In 1699, with "traite de tyswick", they became powerful in Pondicherry over which--barring a few years when they were challenged by the British--they ruled it till 1954. Actually, France remained the most dominant power in Pondicherry for about 300 years—mainly between 1814 and 1954.
Joseph Francois Dupleix-- the famous Governor General of the French establishment in India--was the chief architect of the French ascendancy at Pondicherry. He was very ambitious and kept the English guessing and on tenterhooks for long, waging fierce wars (Anglo-French Wars) against them to control the union territory.
Even though Dupleix severely depleted the meager resources of the French establishment in India, due to the many costly battles that he waged against the English, he also ensured that Pondicherry firmly remained under the French suzerainty for long.
Since long, the place has attracted people from far off places, many of whom came to Pondicherry for trade purposes. The existence of the port town of Arikamedu at Pondicherry proves the place had close trade links with the Romans and Greeks in the distant past; in fact, about 2000 years ago. The Romans had actually also settled at Pondicherry.
Later, it was ruled by the Pallavas, the Pandyas, the Cholas and the many Muslim rulers--such as the Sultan of Bijapur--who controlled the territory for many years before it passed to some of the western powers led by the Portuguese, the Dutch, the English, and finally, the French.
Among the many western powers, France controlled the territory for the longest period. France had arrived on the scene in 1673 on an invitation of the then ruler of the territory who wanted to use the French power to drive out the Danes from Pondicherry. France drove out the Danes only to later occupy Pondicherry themselves.
In 1699, with "traite de tyswick", they became powerful in Pondicherry over which--barring a few years when they were challenged by the British--they ruled it till 1954. Actually, France remained the most dominant power in Pondicherry for about 300 years—mainly between 1814 and 1954.
Joseph Francois Dupleix-- the famous Governor General of the French establishment in India--was the chief architect of the French ascendancy at Pondicherry. He was very ambitious and kept the English guessing and on tenterhooks for long, waging fierce wars (Anglo-French Wars) against them to control the union territory.
Even though Dupleix severely depleted the meager resources of the French establishment in India, due to the many costly battles that he waged against the English, he also ensured that Pondicherry firmly remained under the French suzerainty for long.
