Old Town of Pondy

Originally a scattered settlement of fishermen and weavers, the place later developed into a busy trading port having ties with the Roman Empire (and is referred to as ‘Poduke’ by the classical geographers of Rome and Greece). Mentioned as vedapuri (as it was a vedic learning centre in ancient times) the place later flourished as a port town of the Cholas under the name Puducheri (“new town” in Tamil) until it finally became a busy trading centre of the colonial powers. The place was called Pondichery by the French, who established their trading port and constructed a fort (1689) near the location where today the Aye Mandapam stands. Following the expansion of their activities and settlements, the entire town was fortified, including the Indian quarters, and the plan in 1750 was the same as today.

Till now, this orthogonal pattern of streets has been assumed to be modeled on the French, ‘Bastide’ towns. However some resent discoveries point to its root in the master plan made by the Dutch for the development of Pondicherry during their occupation in 1694.

In 1761 Pondicherry was destroyed by the British after their siege and returned to the French in 1765 , following which there was a period of active reconstruction (mostly over the old foundation remains). The Grand Canal was completed around 1788 as a storm water drain marking a clear demarcation between the French and Tamil towns.

The fortified town, planned on a grid pattern in oval shape, encompasses two different parts-Tamil and French, divided by the canal. The Tamil town in turn has an intimate fabric of Hindu, Christian and Muslim quarters.

The French town has structures in the European classical style comparable to the Parisian villas of the “Hotel particular” (urban upper middle class in France) while the buildings in the Tamil have a strong vernacular influence of surrounding Tamil Nadu.

The two contrasting styles, existing side by side, have influenced each other, resulting sometimes in a unique blend of European and Tamil architectural patterns, reflecting the cross-culture impact and giving the built from a certain “Pondicherry-ness.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRE- COLONIAL HISTORY

Pallava Dynasty           325 –  900

Chola Dynasty             900 – 1279

Pandya Dynasty 1279 – 1370

Vijayanagar Empire 1370 – 1614

Sultanate of Bijapur 1614 – 1638

Vijayanagar Empire 1370 – 1614

Sultanate of Bijapur 1614 – 1638

COLONIAL HISTORY OF PONDICHERRY

Portuguese set up a factory      1523

Dutch buy textiles                  1618

Danes set up a factory            1624

First French Settlement 1674 – 1693

Dutch rule                  1693 – 1700

French rule 1700 – 1761

British rule 1761 – 1765

French rule 1765 – 1778

British rule 1778 – 1783

French rule 1783 – 1793

British rule 1793 – 1815

French rule 1815 – 1954

EXPLANATION

Note: The purpose of this website is to educate and create awareness among the people about the architecture & culture of Pondicherry. Doorways has captured the heritage of Pondicherry through its lens and dedicates this visual treat to the entire world. 
We take this opportunity to thank all the house owners & business people of Pondicherry for their Co-operation.

COURTESY THANKS TO:

IFP Pondicherry, EFEO Pondicherry, INTACH Pondicherry, Lycee Francaise Pondicherry, Alliance Francaise Pondicherry, 
TOURISME deparment Pondicherry.