:: Hallo Chandannagar ::

Though small in extent, Chandannagar is articulate in its tradition. Chandannagar had been under the foreign yoke long before India came under English rule. The history of Chandannagar on its own is a separate, colorful self fulfilling chapter.

Chandannagar, the turning point of Indian History

1673, the French first stepped into Chandannagar. Francois Martin, the first representative of French East India Company stopped at Pondicherry to build a business centre in 1674. In 1688 he came to Chandannagar and made the first Commercial Centre on 21st November in the village named Boro. Most of the European representatives were seriously roaming behind Aurangzeb in search of the business permit. Aurangzeb gave permission to the French to make business centre in Chandannagar. 1691. the French Business centre was formed. Chandannaagar, the name given by the French. On 21 November, Martin, Deslande and Pelewrote a letter to the Director of French east India Company, “Chandannagar” first quoted in that letter. 1691, Mr. Aumomier and Dutchetz first started constructing buildings, godowns, and the wall surrounding the city. Chandannagar came under the administration of Pondicherry in 1701. Pondicherry was the main Administrative Centre, while Chandannagar became the main Commercial Centre. The French realized that politically it was a turbulent period for India and the existence of other European Centres surrounding Chandannagar forced them to protect Chandannagar. Fort d’Orieans was constructed in 1696-97. The Nawab of Bengal Siraj-Ou-Doulla, captured Fort William from the British. The French supported Nawab. The British called Robert Clive from the South of India. The soldiers of Nawab were defeated in Kolkata. Robert Clive took the charge of Fort William. The British captured Chandannagar in 1757 before Plassi battle to take revenge against the French. Chandannagar became the turning point of Indian History.

Chandannagar, the place for Revolutionary Pilgrimage against British Raj

When the entire Bengal, nay India, was under the British Rule, in spite of being under the French Administration, Chandannagar created a distinct tradition. The city was an alien land to the Bengalis from a administrative or political point of view. It had a deep connection with rest of Bengal and also with other parts of India in the fields of arts, literature, culture and commerce. Chandannagar ‘s contribution had found a dignified place of pride in the independent struggle of India. Chandannagar was marked as a successful place of worship in the holy rights of Freedom Struggle. Chandannagar showed the path to the idealistic, visionary, sleepless, active and intrepid patriots devoted to the country in the inaccessible way of penance for freedom. Chandannagar was literally a place for revolutionary pilgrimage.

The British Rule Ended in India in the year 1947. Chandannagar was still under the French Administration. The inhabitants of Chandannagar demanded the political and economic rights from the French rulers in the year month of July 1947. The administration, took this public opinion seriously and were forced to declare Chandannagar a “Free City”. It was decided, after the referendum in June, 1949, that the Chandannagar was in favor of merger with Indian union. 99% of the people of Chandannagar gave a mandate in favor of her merger with India. So Chandannagar was effectively transferred to the Govt. of India on May 2 1950. It was ‘de facto transfer’ as per the Government Charter. Chandannagar took the role of a guide in the liberation movement of the country. Chandannagar grasped the signal of the rise of the nation. Chandannagar returned to the lap of Mother India radiating effulgence.