French Settlements in India
Origins of French colonialism in India
The first French venture to India was around the 16th century when expeditions were sent to India for trade purposes. Not all of them were successful. During the reign of Louis XIV, the king’s famous minister Colbert laid the foundation of the Compagnie des Indes Orientales (French East India Company) in 1664, in which the king also took a deep interest.
The first expedition to India, led by Francois Caron (French Governor), reached Surat in 1667 and established the first trading post (Surat) in the subcontinent. Another factory was established in Masulipatam in 1669. In 1673, the township at Chandernagore near Calcutta was established. The same year, the French (Francois Martin) acquired the area of Pondicherry from the Sultan of Bijapur, thus establishing the Pondicherry colony (1674).
Expansion of French colonialism
The first governor of Pondicherry François Martin, established a series of plans to transform the enclave into a major trading town, but some of these plans were put on hold due to intermittent conflict between the Dutch and the English. The Dutch even managed to take Pondicherry in 1693 before handing it back to the French following the Treaty of Ryswick in September 1697.
Until 1741, the French were mainly interested in commercial ventures peacefully acquiring territories such as Yanam, Mahe and Karaikal. The town of Pondicherry began to expand and soon it became a rich trading town under able governors like Pierre Chrisophe Le Noir.
In 1741, Joseph François Dupleix arrived in India as the governor of the French territories. Unlike his predecessors, he had a burning desire to establish a French empire in India despite the indifference of his superiors in Paris.
Colonial intrigues between the British and French
Dupleix saw an opportunity to exploit the political instability and succession disputes among the Indian rulers. He supported Chanda Sahib and Muzaffar Jung against their rivals for the thrones of Carnatic and Hyderabad respectively. He also forged alliances with some Maratha chiefs and other local potentates.
He successfully defeated the British forces at St. Thome (1746), Cuddalore (1746) and Pondicherry (1748). However, he failed to capture Madras from them due to the intervention of a superior naval force. The Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle (1748) ended the First Carnatic War and restored status quo ante bellum.
The Second Carnatic War (1749-1754) broke out when Dupleix resumed his ambitious schemes. He again supported Chanda Sahib and Muzaffar Jung against their rivals. He also tried to undermine the British influence in Bengal by sending Bussy-Castelnau to assist Siraj ud-Daulah.
However, Dupleix faced stiff resistance from Robert Clive and other British commanders who adopted similar tactics of interfering in Indian politics. Clive captured Arcot (1751) and defended it against Chanda Sahib’s forces. He also defeated Dupleix’s ally Raju Sahib at Kaveripakkam (1752) and Arni (1753).
Dupleix was recalled by his superiors who were unhappy with his costly and risky ventures. He was replaced by Charles Godeheu who signed the Treaty of Pondicherry (1754) with Clive that ended the Second Carnatic War and renounced all French claims to Indian territories except for their existing settlements.
The Third Carnatic War (1756-1763) was part of the global Seven Years’ War between Britain and France. The French tried to recover their lost territories and drive the British out of India, but it all resulted in a failure culminating in the Siege of Pondicherry (1760).
Culture and legacy of the French in India
The French presence in India left behind a lasting impact on the culture and society of the regions where they settled. Some of the aspects of this impact are:
Language: The French language was widely used by the elite and educated classes in the French enclaves, especially in Pondicherry. It was also the official language of administration and education until 1962. Even today, there are some schools and institutions that teach French as a second or third language. There are also some newspapers and magazines that publish in French. According to the 2001 census, there were about 10,000 speakers of French in India, mostly concentrated in Pondicherry.
Religion: The French were predominantly Catholic and they promoted their faith among the local population. They built many churches and convents, some of which are still functioning today. They also supported the missions of other Catholic orders, such as the Jesuits, the Capuchins and the Carmelites. Some of the notable churches built by the French are: The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, The Church of Our Lady of Angels, The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Pondicherry; The Church of Our Lady of Good Health in Karaikal; The Church of Our Lady of Assumption in Yanam; The Church of St. Theresa in Mahé; and The Church of Sacred Heart in Chandernagore.
Architecture: The French introduced their own style of architecture in their settlements, which blended with the local traditions and materials. They built elegant mansions, public buildings, fortifications and gardens that reflected their taste and status. Some of the examples of French architecture are: The Raj Nivas (former residence of the governor), The French Institute of Pondicherry, The Pondicherry Museum, The Aayi Mandapam (a monument dedicated to a local courtesan), The French War Memorial and The Promenade (a seaside boulevard) in Pondicherry; The Mahe Walkway (a riverside promenade) and The Government House (former residence of the governor) in Mahé; The Dupleix Statue (a monument to honor Joseph François Dupleix) and The Dupleix House (former residence of Dupleix) in Chandernagore.
Education: The French established several schools and colleges in their territories, which provided quality education to the local population. They also encouraged the development of arts, sciences and humanities. Some of the prominent educational institutions founded by the French are: The Lycée Français de Pondichéry (a French international school), The Pondicherry University (a central university), The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (a medical college and hospital), The Pondicherry Engineering College (an engineering college), The Alliance Française de Pondichéry (a cultural center that promotes French language and culture) and The Institut Français de Pondichéry (a research institute that focuses on Indology, ecology and social sciences).
Politics: The French influenced the political development of India in various ways. They supported some Indian rulers against their rivals or against the British, such as Chanda Sahib, Muzaffar Jung, Siraj ud-Daulah and Hyder Ali. They also participated in some important battles and wars that shaped the history of India, such as the Carnatic Wars, the Battle of Plassey, the Battle of Buxar and the Siege of Seringapatam. They also contributed to the Indian independence movement by allowing some freedom fighters to take refuge or operate from their territories, such as Subhas Chandra Bose, Aurobindo Ghose and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
Heritage: The French legacy in India is preserved and celebrated by various organizations and individuals who are interested in promoting cultural exchange and cooperation between India and France.
