Foundation Day of Puducherry

• 02 Jul 2024

For Prelims: Puducherry, Council of Ministers, Chola, Vijayanagar Empire, Third Carnatic War, Union Territory, Statehood

For Mains: Modern Indian History, Post-independence Consolidation of India and the demand of statehood by UTs.

Why in News?

Every year, the 1^st July is marked as the foundation day of Puducherry as on this day the Government of Union Territories Act 1963 providing Puducherry with Legislative Assemblies and Council of Ministers came into force.

What are Key Facts about Puducherry?

• About: 
  • The present UT of Puducherry was formed in 1962 out of the four former colonies of French (Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam) India.
  • The Puducherry and Karaikal regions are surrounded by the state of Tamilnadu while Mahe is surrounded by the state of Kerala and Yanam by the state of Andra Pradesh.
  • To accommodate the diverse culture, due to its multi-state location, Puducherry has been  recognized as a Union Territory.

• History of Pondicherry:

  • Ancient History:

    • Puducherry has a flourishing maritime history and excavations at Arikamedu show that Romans came here to trade in the 1st Century AD.
    • In around the fourth century A.D. Puducherry area was part of the Pallava Kingdom of Kanchipuram after which Chola took over it.
    • After short rule of  Muslim rulers of the North, the Vijayanagar Empire took control of almost all the South of India which lasted till 1638, after which Sultan of Bijapur took control.
  • Colonial History:
    • The foundation of modern Puducherry was laid in the year 1673 after the French East India Company successfully obtained firman (a permit) from the Qiladar of Valikondapurarm under the Sultan of Bijapur.
    • Puducherry was captured by the Dutch in 1693 but was returned to the French company by the Treaty of Ryswick in 1699.
    • In 1674, Francois Martin was appointed as the first Governor by the French East India Company which undertook the ambitious project to transform Pondicherry from a small fishing village into a flourishing port town.
      • Joseph Francis Dupleix got a high post at Pondicherry in 1720.
    • After becoming Governor in 1674, Francois Martin developed it as a place of importance and as the stronghold of the French in India.
    • The Battle of Wandiwash (1760) which was the decisive battle of the Third Carnatic War was won by the English and Treaty of Peace of Paris (1763), that followed the war, restored to the French their factories in India (including Puducherry).
    • Under Treaty of Peace of Paris (1763) Puducherry and Chandannagar were returned to France but they could only have trading activities in them.
  • Post Independence:
    • On 1st November 1954, Puducherry became a Union Territory after the French possessions in India were transferred to the Indian Union and 280 years of French rule came to an end.
    • However, Puducherry became officially an integral part of India after the French Parliament in Paris ratified the Treaty with India in 1963. 
• Political Status of Pondicherry:
  • In accordance with Article 239 of the Constitution of India and the Government of Union Territories Act 1963, the President of India has framed the Business of the Government of Puducherry (Allocation) Rules 1963.
  • Puducherry has elected legislatures with the  Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry being guided by the Government of Union Territories Act 1963.
  • The Puducherry Assembly can legislate on any issue under the Concurrent and State Lists. 
  • The name of Pondicherry was changed to Puducherry by The Pondicherry (Alteration of Name) Act 2006.
  • Puducherry has long demanded statehood to gain greater powers for attracting industries, creating employment opportunities, and enhancing infrastructure for tourism.
• Culture: 

  • Sri Aurobindo Ashram (a well planned town with Franco Tamil architecture)  and Auroville (an experimental township) was an attempt to implement Sri Aurobindo's vision of new forms of individual and collective life, preparing the way towards a brighter future for the whole earth.

  • Puducherry is an Indian Union Territory that offers a taste of France in India (due to its colonel history).

Read more: Statehood Demand by Puducherry, Bills for Women’s Quota in J&K and Puducherry

Drishti Mains Question:

Q. The political and administrative reorganization of states and territories has been a continuous ongoing process. Discuss this in the context of the statehood demand of Puducherry.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q1. With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements: (2010)

1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry  were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry  were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (a)