Question

1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.

2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry was the French.

3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 only

The correct answer is 1 only.

•  History of Pondicherry (now Puducherry):
  • Portuguese were the first European power to set up a factory in the Pondicherry region during the 16th century. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • After the Portuguese, the second European power to capture Pondicherry was the Dutch. Hence, statement 2 is Not correct.
  • The French East India Company set up a trading center at Pondicherry in the year 1674, and this later became the most prominent French settlement in India.
  • But the French continuously faced opposition from the Dutch and the English.
  • In the year 1693, Pondicherry was again captured by the Dutch as the French Governor Francois Martin surrendered to the Dutch Governor.
  • Later, in the year 1699, the French regained Pondicherry from the Dutch.
  • In the year 1761, the British captured Pondicherry from the French but later had to return it back to the French under the Treaty of Paris (1763). Hence, statement 3 is Not correct.
  • Pondicherry was occupied several times by the British, but it was ultimately the French who ruled the territory.
  • The de facto transfer of Pondicherry from the French government to the Indian union took place in 1954. But the treaty affecting the de jure transfer of Pondicherry got finally ratified in the year 1962.

• After Independence incorporation of Pondicherry into the Union of India was done by the 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962.
• The 70th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991 Includes the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Pondicherry in the Electoral College for the Presidential election.