Causes of the merger of the territories of French India with India

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Many interrelated political, cultural, socio-economic and geographical factors contributed to the merger of the French Establishments in India with the Republic of India.

Contents

French establishments in India French India 1815.gif
French establishments in India

End of French control in former possessions

Pondichéry

Karikal

Mahé

Yanaon

Chandernagore

Geographical and cultural divergence

Geographical and cultural divergence in the French India made the French weak in keeping their hold on these colonies.

Decolonization phenomenon

Decolonization was a global phenomenon which was predominant in the colonial world between 1940 and the 1960s. Many colonies sought independence from the colonial empires. Nationalism and Socialism played an important role in achieving this in many colonies globally.

Pre-Independence factors

The above four factors are most important factors that existed in 1947 which ultimately led to merger of French colonies in India.

Post-Independence factors

After independence, the factors that lead to merger are,

Immediate causes for independence

Governor's interference

A momentous event in the independence movement of Pondichéry occurred on 18 March 1954, when most of the members of the executive council and mayor of Pondichéry and seven adjoining communes proclaimed their decision to merge with India without a referendum. All the communes in Karikal also followed suit. This decision was to be confirmed by the Representative Assembly and when the French India Socialist Party was preparing to move the merger resolution, the French Governor scuttled it by postponing the session. Provoked by this, the Socialists planned to capture the outlying communes one by one and move to Pondichéry. Accordingly, the leaders of the French India Socialist Party hoisted the Indian National Flag atop the Nettapakkam police station on the last day of March in 1954.

Result of Governor General's interference,

Kandamangalam Conference

The conclusion of Consul General, Sri Kewal Singh on the night of 11 April 1954 at the conference at Kandamangalam, that For real liberation of colonies one should attack any of the big four French settlements, Since the French authorities are making fun of petty provisional government at Nettapacom.[ citation needed ] Since Yanam is small in area and population, he requested Monsieur Dadala for a plan for its liberation which resulted not only the Coup d'État de Yanaon but also the ultimate liberation of French colonies in India.

Result of conclusion at Kandamangalam conference,

Date of events

Inde française
ColonyLiberationde facto transferTreaty of Cessionde jure transferMerger
Pondichéry -1 November 195428 May 195616 August 19621 July 1963
Chandernagore -26 June 194928 February 19519 June 19521 October 1954
Karikal -1 November 195428 May 195616 August 19621 July 1963
Mahé 16 June 19541 November 195428 May 195616 August 19621 July 1963
Yanaon 13 June 19541 November 195428 May 195616 August 19621 July 1963

Active Members involved in the Independence movement

See also

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References

  1. Annexed Protocol Article I, Treaty Establishing De Jure Cession of French Establishments in India
  2. Published in the issue of "THE HINDU" dated April 12, 1954, Page 5, Column 5.