Evolution of Heritage Town, Pondicherry

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EVOLUTION OF FORM

History of pondicherry has a major

influence on evolution of form , hence

the factors such as climate , nature of

the landscape , geographical feature

and colonial planning conclude to the

grid iron planning.

To understand the evolution of form

study of flourishing history of

pondicherry is important.

The history of pondicherry can be

distinguished into main three parts:1.Pre colonial period

2.Colonial period

3.After independence.

history

ruling periond

Timeline of Pondicherrry

1.Pre-colonial period:Early history of Pondicherry prior to its settlement by foreigners -

though the influence of the major South Indian kingdoms of the

Cholas, Pandavas and Vijayanagar is self evident in the architecture

of that period. The regions long history of interaction with

foreigners began with the Roman Empire. The cornerstone of trade

with the Romans lay in the port city of Arekmedu - from where

galleys laden with silk, spices, birds, animals, silver and preciousstones left for Roman shores.

4thCE : Pallava

10thto 13thCE : Cholas

13thCE: Pandya

14thCE to 1618: Vijayanagar empire


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2.Colonial period:

The Portuguese were the first to arrive in Pondicherry in the 16th century followed

soon after by the Danes and the French. The arrival of the French in 1673 started

the transformation of Pondicherry from a small fishing village to the bastion of

French rule in India and the epicentre of Indo- French trade. Though the Dutch

captured Pondicherry from the French in 1693, the French regained control of the

region under the Treaty of Ryswick in 1699. In 1706 Pondicherry had a population of40,000 while the English town of Calcutta had barely 22,000.

By the first decade of the 18th century, Pondicherry had grown into a thriving city

with a population of 40,000. The French East India Company suffered financial losses

and was forced to abandon its settlements in Surat, Masulipatnam and Bantum. As

such, Pondicherry became the nerve centre for the French who concentrated on

giving it a rich French character.

The British in India took advantage of the decline of the French power and gainedcontrol of Pondicherry in the 1760s - they destroyed the fort and most of the French

Quarter but were forced to cede the territory back to France. But by early 19th

century, the British were firmly in control of most of the Indian subcontinent and

little French enclaves like Pondicherry became inconsequential to the bigger

picture.

Planning a settlement by french rulers

in 1693.


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1618: Dutch people buy a textile from ramraja of Gingee in the same period arrival of

portugals.

1624: Danes set up a factory

1674 to 1693: French rule

1693 to 1700: Dutch rule

1700 to 1761: French rule (Evolution of colonies with fortification in 1750)

1761 to 1763: British rule (Destruction of fort)

1763 to 1778: French rule1778 to 1783: British rule


1793 to 1815: British rule


In 1673,french people won the battle of erode wanted to show power,hence built the fort with planning of a new

town.

Under Governors such as Francois Martin and Dupleix, it grew into a prominent fortified town and an importantport of call. In 1746 the British lost Fort St. George in Madras to Dupleix, and retaliated by capturing Pondicherry

in 1761 and razing the town to the ground, sparing only a few structures. However the Treaty of Paris returned

Pondicherry to the French


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In 1761 britishers took over the the new town

concept and tried a new way of planning of thesettlement and destructed the fort buit by Francois

Martin.

By the time they have started the construction of

settlment in1763 again french emperors took over the

land.

This battle in between two lasted in 1815 with

establishment of french rulers.

Hence under assistance of francois plan of new town

was sanctioned in 1820wich also had additions i.e.

Grand canal and Pati canal.

As fort was never built again the vacant ground was

used as parade ground afterwards got converted into

park.


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Evolution of Heritage Town, Pondicherry

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