Monuments of Pondicherry
A wondrous history of this place is told
by obliging Pondicherrians. As well as the striking grid-like street planning,
buildings and monuments. About the arrival of the European maritime powers
of the 16th century - the Portuguese, the Dutch, the Danes, the English and
importantly, the French, setting foot first in 1670. About the transformation
of a tiny fishing village into a grand port city by the 18th century. About
fierce Anglo-French battles. Ravages. And sieges. About brave generals. Friendly
maharajas. And even, philanthropic courtesans. And about an undisturbed French
rule for 138 years till 1954.
Park Monument (Aayi Mandapam)
The most beautiful public space in town is the green and shaded Government
Park, in the heart of Pondicherry. Standing smack in its centre is Aayi Mandapam.
Built in Greco-Roman architecture, unsinfully white, during the reign of Napoleon
III - Emperor of France.
It bears the name of Aayi - a 16th century courtesan. Who razed down her home
and replaced it with a reservoir. To appease a passing king, angry at having
mistaken her candle-lit residence for a holy place. It was from this lake
that Napoleon's men quenched their thirst, some 300 years later. Napoleon,
charmed by the story, ordered a monument to Aayi.
Arikamedu
A historical site, 4 kms south of Pondicherry, which revealed local trade with
Romans as early as 2nd century B.C. Some even believe Roman settlements existed.
Wine seems to have been a major import as excavated amphora jars suggest. In
return, textiles, precious stones and shell-jewellery left these shores. Moreover,
you'll still find the amazing ruins of an 18th century French Jesuit Mission
House here. It was abandoned in 1783.
Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion
Ananda Ranga Pillai was the celebrated dubash of Dupleix, the governor of Pondicherry
while it flourished under French glory. Pillai's compilation of diaries serve
as a storehouse of information on 18th century French India. His mansion, completed
sometime in 1738, is one of the oldest surviving buildings on the west side
- then known as "natives' quarters." Its architecture represents a
curious mix of French and Indian styles.
The Statue of Dupleix
This is Pondicherry's tribute to Francois Dupeix whose able governorship came
to an end in 1754. However, French recognition came about a century later, when,
in 1870, they paid homage by commissioning two statues - one in France and the
other in Pondicherry.
The 2.88 m tall structure was erected over six carved ornamental granite pillars
at the Place du Republique. It now stands restationed overlooking a children's
park at the southern end of the promenade, now named Goubert Avenue.
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