Evolution of Heritage Town, Pondicherry

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.

Timeline of Pondicherrry

ruling periond

•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

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 region’s 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 precious stones left for Roman shores. 4th CE : Pallava 10th to 13th CE : Cholas 13th CE: Pandya 14th CE to 1618: Vijayanagar empire

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 of 40,000 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 gained control 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.

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 rule 1778 to 1783: British rule 1783 to 1793: French rule 1793 to 1815: British rule 1815 to 1954: French 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 important port 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

•In 1761 britishers took over the the new town concept and tried a new way of planning of the settlement and destructed the fort buit by Francois Martin. •By the time they have started the construction of settlment in 1763 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 1820 wich 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.