The
end of french enclaves
1940: At the request of the British, the French
India was one of the first colonies to support the
General de Gaulle and to join to the movement of the
France Libre.
1940: Right after the war, the Indian movement of
liberation developed.
1949: After a great unrest, and at the end of a
referendum, chandernagor was separated from France
and merged with the State of Bengal.
31.10.1954: For the last time at 6 o'clock, as the
sun set, the French flag was lifted off the mast of
the pavilion.
1.11.1954: After several months of trouble and an
economic recess, after Dien Bien Phu, France agreed
to let its last 4 territories to India. M. R. K
Nehru, General Secretary of foreign affairs, came
specially from Delhi, hoisted the Indian flag in the
State of Pondicherry. Mr. Kewal Singh was appointed
the first High Commissioner of the new state. He was
received at the Government Hotel by Mr. Pierre Landy,
special diplomatic representative of the French
Republic Government and was accompanied to the
Governor's ceremony transfer of power. During the
exchange of signatures of the two statesmen, the
Indian flag was hoisted at the top of the
Government, with 21 gun shots.
28.05.1956: The "treaty of transfer" was signed in
Delhi, 8 years after the transfer "de facto".
01.1963: Several thousands of Pondicherry people opt
for the French nationality.
01.07.1963: Creation of the "Territory of
Pondicherry" which includes Pondicherry, Karikal,
Yanam and Mahé.
Today, nearly 20 000 Pondicherry people live in
France and nearly 10 000 French citizens live in the
Territory of Pondicherry.
Continual bonds with France and Pondicherry make
these districts of the Tamilnadu Union a unique
Indian town. A pleasant beach, buildings in good
condition, decorated temples, worldwide known Ashram
of Aurobindo, community projects, and its experience
of life in community has made it famous. Auroville
is at a distance of only 10 km from Pondicherry.
In 1742, Joseph François Dupleix, became Governor of
the French India. At the same period, war broke out
between France and England. The situation in Europe,
and the ambitions of Dupleix stirred up the Anglo
French conflict in India.
During the next 70 years, Pondicherry survived in
continuous conflicts of power by the French and the
British.
Pondicherry finally came back to France in 1814 till
1954 date at which it joined the rest of the
Independent India. During these years the
contribution of French Indians at the Belle France
and its colonies was significant and even today,
many descending are living in France and overseas.
Previous page. |