The Cipahi Company & Pondicherry Armed Police

The Pondicherry armed police may be described as the continuation of the Cipahi Company of the French days. The Cipahi company, prior to the merger, consists of 283 men of all ranks including technicians such as masons, carpenters, musicians, cobblers, electricians, cooks, etc. The strength of this company gradually dwindled on the account of retirement, death, resignation, etc. The strength came down to 145 in 1960, 117 in 1962 and nil in 1969. It wound up in 1970 by absorbing the remaining strength in Police force.
Soon after the merger, one company of the Malabar Special Police was brought and stationed in the territory to perform the duties of the Cipahi Company. It was decided to organize the Pondicherry armed Police by gradually replacing the Cipahi Company in the territory. According to the first batch of the Pondicherry armed Police consisting of the five jamendars, 145 police constables and four followers was formed in the year 1956 and was trained by the instructors drawn from the Malabar special police. The Malabar special police stationed in the territory was withdrawn with the effect from 31st January 1967 and replaced by the Pondicherry armed police.
The Pondicherry armed police which assisted the local police in maintaining law and order in times of emergency and disturbances, attended to guard duties and special security duties until the Central reserve police took over the functions with the effect from 24th May 1969. So, I am very glad to say you all know about the changes that occurred from the Cipahi Company to Pondicherry armed Police through my blog.

Few Facts About a Historical School: Calve College

I often wonder at the majestic building of the Calve College that is situated at the Mission Street. The higher secondary school has stories for generations together. It has taught children for centuries together. I have heard pleasant memories from my Grandfather and my dad about their days in the school. This prompted me search for the history of this historical landmark. The following words takes you back to the 19th century i.e to the culmination of the school and it tells you about its progress.
College clave was opened in 1875 by Calve Soupraya Chettiar for the education of the Hindus. To begin with, it functioned as a private grant in-aid school from 1875 to 1877. The arête of 2nd May 1877 placed it under the public management. It was managed for some time by the members of the congregation i.e from 1877 to 1880. An English section was opened in1880 to prepare students for the Matriculation examination of the Madras University. In accordance with the terms of an agreement signed on 24th January 1185, the heirs of the Calve Soupraya Chettiar gave away the institution to the government. The school was then upgraded into an upper primary school and thrown open to all people.

The Pondicherry Cultivating Tenants Protection Act of 1970

This act was brought into force on 10th April 1971 and the provisions of this act were made applicable only to Pondicherry, Karaikal and Yanam regions. Relevant rules were framed under the act and they were notified on 17th May 1971. The act provided protection to tenants from the eviction of landlords. This protection was not, however, available to those tenants who were in arrears of rent which occurred after 21st March 1970, to those who were guilty of any negligent or injurious act to the land or crop, to those who had diverted the land to non-agricultural use and to those who denied the title of landlord. Besides laying down the procedure for regulating surrenders and abandonment of tenancy the act also provided for the restoration, on application to the revenue court of the tenant who was actually in possession of land on 1st December 1969 but was not in possession of it at the commencement of this act. The act, nonetheless, protects the right of the landlord to resume to personal cultivation, land not exceeding one half of the land leased out to cultivating tenant, although he cannot do so, if the land he owns exceeds 5 1/3 hectares of wet lands, or when he is assessed to sales tax during 1967-68 or holds land as tenant of wet land exceeding two hectares.

Interesting Facts on an Age-old Social Organization in Puducherry

The Societe Progressiste de l’Inde Francaise was started on 2nd March 1880 for the avowed purpose of popularizing the French Language and culture. It played an important role in educational advancements. It was through the efforts of this Societe that the upper primary education and teacher training courses were introduced in Calve College. It made some monetary contributions to the educational projects sponsored by the administration. A school was also opened in its premises. Scholarships were awarded to the deserving students for pursuing their studies.

In 1904, the school had to be closed down for the want of resources. However it was reopened in 1921, thanks to the donation of Rs.5000 given by T.S.N. Nannaya Bagavathar, a leading merchant of the town. The Societe utilized the income derived from the investment of about 30,000 and the rent from a building owned by it for carrying on its activities. An executive committee managed the accounts of this Societe.

Know the Facts on the Fire Service of Puducherry

The Cipahi company was in charge of fire fighting from the year 1933. Proposals for starting fire service stations in Pondicherry and Karaikal took concrete shape only during 1956. To begin with, two station officers were recruited locally and sent for training at the National Fire Service college, Rampur. At present the fire service functions as a branch of the Inspector General of Police, with the IGP as the director of the fire services. The Assistant Divisional Fire officer is directly in charge of the fire services.
Proposals for the opening of the new fire station with a pump escape at Dhanvantrinagar and for providing one large fire engine as reserve and one ambulance for Pondicherry and one small fire engine for Karaikal fire station were approved in 1966. The same year, the Pondicherry fire station was shifted from Mangir Barracks to Godowns No.8 and 9 in the South Boulevard taken on rent. Static tanks required for the pupose was built on five places viz. near Government distillery, Botanical garden, Orlayanpet, North Boulevard and Railway station in Pondicherry town. Major equipments such as trailer pump, mobile tanks etc. were added next year.

Mile Stones of French Architecture

We all are familiar with the fact that our home town is popularly known as “Mini France”. It is because of the architectural design of our town. So it made me curious to search for the reasons that are behind this fact. So here are some interesting facts that make our city unique in the architectural design.
Pondicherry town in its earlier stage of development is said to have followed the pattern of bastide towns (Medival towns of South west France, bulit according to a geometrical plan) in France with a wall around the town and main gates (Madras Gate, Valudavur Gate) leading to the market. The rest of the area was divided into rectangular blocks on the same pattern of Montpazier in Southern France.

Another notable feature of Pondicherry is the “Quai” which is found in many french towns. Most of the french “Quais” are bulit along the rivers flowing through the town. In Pondicherrry, this has been achieved through the town. In Pondicherry, this has been achieved through the formation of two promenades called “Quai de Gingy” and “Quai de Ambour” on the either side of the grand canal both of which were once lined with shady trees.
The Place du Gouvernement in Pondicherry is a brilliant example of french planning squares. Although it cannot be compared to any of the squares in its scale, it still epitomises the basic principles of the classical French squares. Another important characteristic is that all the main public buliding are lined along this square. Thus, these are few of the notable architectural designs of our city and it make the city on par with France.

The Cultural Fresco of 20th Century Puducherry

Our territory is known for its literary values and the famous people who nurtured it. The city also excels itself in the fine arts. Many organizations dedicated themselves for the promotions of fine arts in the territory. This article gives information about some of the organizations that developed fine arts in the city.

The 20th century stands out as the period that gave birth to several associations devoted to the promotion of fine arts in the territory. Mention may be made of Societe Philharmonique de Pondicherry (1920), Vasoudevagana Sabai (1912), Krishna Gana Sabha (1940) and Mangala Gana Sabha (1943). The institutions were very often the progenies of one or more connoisseurs of art. Only some of these associations had a long lease of life. Most of them flourished for a few years and then they went defunct after sometime either due to the lack of resources or decline in the enthusiasm of their progenitors.

The Thiaga Bramha Saba started in 1946 was in receipt of financial assistance from the administration for several years to celebrate the Thyaga Bramha Aradhana in honor of Saint Thiagaraja. The opening of the radio Station in 1966 and the opening of the organization somewhat brightened the cultural atmosphere of the territory.

Great Works Of Subramania Bharathi In Pondicherry

Subramania Bharathi has given his great works when he was in Pondicherry. His “Vedarishigal Kavidai” and “Patanjali Yoga Soothiram” were attempts at ves libres, a poetry form which probably Bharathi learnt through his acquaintance with the French literature. His frequent early morning visits to Thiagarajapillai madu provided him the inspiration to write the “Thirupalli Ezuchi” and “Kalai Pozhudu”. He also published the “Bharathi Arupatharu”. The Muttiyalupettai mango grove that belonged to the Krishnasamy Chettiar provided him the scenario for his “Kuyil pattu”. The cyclone of 22nd November 1916 prompted him to write the “Thikkukal Ettum Cithari” and the “Kattradikuthu Kadal Kumuruthu”.

The first part of “Panchali Sabatham” appeared in 1912. His “Puthia Athichoodi” appeared in 1914 and “Pappa Padal appeared in February 1915 issue of “Gnana Bhanu”. In November 1916, appeared the third volume of his poems.

On 20th November 1918, while he was on his way to Villiyanur, he fell into the hands of the British who were all along maintaining a close watch over him. He was detained at the Cuddalore sub-jail where he remained till 14 December (for 24 days). After his release, he went to Kadayam near Tenkasi. All his subsequent attempts to have his work published did not meet with adequate public response.

In 1920 he returned to Madras to work in “Sudesamithran”. Once on a visit to the Thirivellikeni temple, he was attacked by the temple elephant, as a result of which he died on 12th September 1921 when he was only 39. It is significant that although his stay in Pondicherry lasted only a little more than 10 years, this period turned out to be the most creative in his life-time, thus linking inseparably his name and Poetic accomplishments with Pondicherry.

The Lighthouse Of Pondicherry

In the early days, the red hills about three kilometers north of the town and more than 30 meters above the sea-level, served as a guide to the sea farers approaching to the port of Pondicherry.

The lighthouse situated on the edge of the sea near “Place de Gouvernement” was lighted for the first time on 1st July 1836. The light was placed upon a masonry tower of 21 meters height, being 29 meters above the sea level. The light was visible to a distance of 29 kilometer. On 12th September 1931, the fixed light was replaced by revolving light of 1,000 watts. This light which turns full circle in 36 seconds could be seen form a distance on 28 miles marine.

The lighthouse started giving trouble and went out of order frequently causing a lot of inconvenience to ships and sea traffic. In an attempt to remedy the situation, the Government of India was requested to declare the Pondicherry Lighthouse as a general lighthouse. The administration also came forward to hand over the lighthouse administration to the Department of Lighthouses and Lightships. About the same time, the Government of India was also convinced of the need to replace the old light with a new one.

In 1970, the Department of Lighthouses and Lightships came forward to construct a new lighthouse at an estimated cost of Rs.14.41 lakhs. A site measuring 39 Ares was acquired for the purpose in the Kirapalaiyam village, a little south of the new post office. The Department of Lighthouses and Lightships also agreed to install an MF radio beacon at Pondicherry as an aid to navigate the site adjacent to the land acquired for the construction of the lighthouse. A site measuring 1 Ha was selected for the purpose and acquisition proceedings were initiated.

According to the Madras Almanac and Compendium of Intelligence, vessels which touched Pondicherry during the north-east monsoon were required to anchor in 10 to 11 fathoms of water, keeping the light fromW/1/4N.W.N.W. (The French fathom is equivalent to 5 feet 5 inches). During the SW monsoon vessels were required to anchor in 6 to 8 fathoms with the light house bearing 282 (T) distance 800 to 1,200 meters in 5 to 6 fathoms of water.

A red signal light was first installed on top of a mast at the terminus of the old pier on 22 May 1881 in order to help sea-farers to locate the anchorage and landing spots. A green signal was put up on the same mast. On 28 May 1915 the red light was replaced by an electric bulb which could be seen from a distance of 2.5 kilometer. Whenever the sea was rough, landing operation used to be suspended. The new pier is also provided with a red signal light.

Museums of Pondicherry

Pondicherry has got so much of historical treasures in it. Are you people interested in knowing it? Then this stuff is your cup of tea. Get into this article to know the various museums that are situated at our home town.

The Historical and Archaeological Museum, Pondicherry:
Many excavations were carried out at Arikamedu by Jouveau Dubreuie and Brother Faucheux between 1936 and 1940. Some of their interesting findings like shreds of pottery, baked clay, intaglio, etc. came to be preserved. The historical and archaeological museum as such came to be formed only by the virtue of the governor’s decision of 16th December 1942. This museum was placed under the care of Conservateur de la Bibliotheque. The order for the acceptance of donations and exchange of articles was also passed.


All the matters regarding the transfer and the inclusion of the new items were taken in consultation with Brother Faucheux. To this collection were added some of the findings of R.F.M. Wheeler, the then Director General of Archaeology in India, who carried out further excavations in Arikamedu between April and June 1945. The findings of the Suttukeni were handed over to the administration by 31st march 1958. A 13 member advisory committee was also appointed by February 1976.

Geological Museum, Tattanchavadi:
According to the decision of Government of India, the Geological museum was set up by 28th February 1972 at Tattanchavadi. The museum encloses over 500 specimens which consists of 250 minerals, 200 rocks 10 fossils and 50 industrial products.

Aquarium cum Museum:
The directories of fisheries maintained for some years a fresh water aquarium cum museum within the campus of the Botanical garden. In 1972, the aquarium was transferred to the control of Directorate of Education. It now forms an adjunct of Jawahar Bal Bavan. It will be of interest to note that there are three regional aquarium cum museums attached to the offices of the inspectors of fisheries at Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam.

Important Memorial Homes of Patriots and Writers of Pondicherry

Puducherry is as historic as it has given the shelter for so many patriots and writers. Now let us know about the memorial homes of Shree Subramaniya Bharathi, Bharathidasan and Ananda Rangapillai.

Subramanya Bharathi, the Tamil poet-revolutionary whose pen was an important weapon during India's freedom struggle, sought refuge in this French enclave when the British made life impossible for him elsewhere in South India. At No. 20, Easwaran Koil Street, where he lived in Pondicherry, Bharathi composed some of his finest patriotic songs and such immortal works of Tamil literature as the Panchali Sabadham, Kannan Pattu and Kuyil Pattu.

Bharatidasan @ KanagaSuburathinam, another great poet, was inspired by Subramanya Bharathi, whom he regarded as his guru. He won the Sahitya Akademi award for his play "Pisirandayar". He lived at No.95, Perumal Koil Street. The houses of both Bharathi and Bharathidasan are now maintained as memorials and are places of pilgrimage for Tamil-lovers.

Ananda Rangapillai lived at No. 69-C, Rue Rangapillai (Maison Ananda Rangapillai). His palatial house is an excellent piece of 18th century architecture, a unique blend of French and Eastern styles. Ananda Rangapillai is the famous diarist of Dupleix's time. The records he maintained of the events between 1736 and 1760 are an invaluable source of information on the history of Pondicherry and the French India that age.

Way Back to the History of Mudaliarpettai : Metamorphosis of Puducherry

Our sweet home town, Pondicherry, is the best as it has all the comforts and the best infrastructure. Do you people know about its metamorphosis? Time has never failed to lay its hand on Puducherry too and changes are always unavoidable. Different administration changes that merged various villages to town have turned out to be Puducherry. Let us travel back to the 1960’s…

The 1961 census counted 388 villages, spread over in all four regions of the territory, apart from the four towns of Pondy, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. However, for the purpose of revenue administration the division into 96 villages took place.

In the course of ten years starting from 1961 to 1971 almost the entire rural complex of Mudaliarpettai commune covering 18 villages except Kuppam and Pappanchavadi had developed urban characteristics so that the whole commune came to be treated as a town.

Similarly 16 out of 49 villages in ozukarai commune had developed urban characteristics to give shape to the new town of Ozukarai. Thus the new towns of ozukarai and Mudaliarpettai (also known Mudaliarpet) emerged only after the 1971 census.

During the same period, all the 20 villages of Pondicherry commune had developed urban characteristics to merge with the Pondicherry town and correspondingly the number of census villages in the territory declined from 388 to 334.

In another important development, the whole of Mudaliarpettai commune was merged with Pondicherry commune for the purposes of municipal administration. Hence, the demarcated towns were merged for the purposes of municipal administration. Thus, the changes make our home town more beautiful and comfortable.

Will Nov. 1 be a Liberation Day of Puducherry? Oh We Miss the Past!

Until or unless I had read a news, I would have not known what is what in the history of Puducherry. Recently I came to November 1st is our liberation day of Puducherry. I promise I know not this ever before.

The Federation of People of Puducherry Origin has insisted that the government should announce November 1 as a public holiday each year to emphasize the 'historic event' of joining Puducherry with the Indian Union in 1954. Actually it was in this year that Puducherry became free from French rule.
The second annual convention of the Federation took certain worthy to notice resolutions like November 1 as public holiday (liberation or merger day of Puducherry), priority in education and employment opportunities for people of Puducherry origin, House site pattas to ex-servicemen & freedom fighters.

Apart from all these resolutions, they demanded the most valuable and timely plea: Inclusion of the history of Puducherry in the school syllabus. None of the Puducherrians will object if I say none of us either knew the complete history of Puducherry or the sociological (or) cultural background of Puducherry.

We are familiar with beach and park but (generously) no matter if we forget about the history. Neither my school nor my family taught me the history or said a story of freedom of Puducherry. My dad didn’t say a word about the history of Pondicherry since his teachers didn’t say a word. Lets first start with the school!