The Indian National Institute for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) wants to propose adding Puducherry to the provisional list of UNESCO World Heritage Cities.
The regional government has taken steps such as creating heritage regulations, forming a state-level heritage conservation committee, and sharing a list of potential heritage buildings for public consultation until August 31, 2023.
Some information about the destination
Puducherry, formerly known as Pondicherry, gained its importance after the advent of French colonization in India.
The precolonial period begins with the reign of the Pallavas, who ruled the empire from 325 to 900, followed by the Chola dynasty, from 900 to 1279, and the Pandya dynasty, from 1279 to 1370. During the 14th century, the city was under the rule of Naikship of Gingee of the Vijayanagara Empire, from 1370 to 1614, when it was conquered by the Sultan of Bijapur, who ruled it from 1614 to 1638. It was during this period that Portuguese and Danish merchants used it as a shopping center.
The colonial period began with the Portuguese …
…first Europeans to trade in textiles, in 1521, then with the Dutch and Danes in the 17th century.
The prosperous trade of Pondicherry attracted the French and the predominant aspect of the city was laid down by the French pioneer François Martin as a French colony, in 1674. In 1693, Pondicherry was taken by the Dutch and then restored in 1699. with the Treaty of Ryswick.
The French acquired Mahé in 1720, Yanam in 1731 and Karaikal in 1738. The British captured the city from the French but returned it following the Treaty of Paris in 1763. This Anglo-French war continued until 1814, when France regained control of the colonies of Pondicherry, Mahé, Yanam, Karaikal and Chandernagore, even during the British period, until 1954.
It was a reign of 138 years under the French…
…who on October 31, 1954 left the Indian coast following a de facto transfer of power.
Nearby places such as Arikamedu, Ariyankuppam, Kakayanthoppe, Villianur and Bahour, which were colonized by the French East India Company for some time and later became the Union Territory of Puducherry, have recorded histories predating the colonial period.
On March 18, 1954, several resolutions were passed by the municipalities of Pondicherry, demanding immediate merger with India. A few days later, similar resolutions were passed by the municipalities of Karaikal. The resolutions enjoyed the full support of the French Indian advisors, commonly called ministers, and the president of the representative assembly.
