Municipal Administration in French India
Encyclopedia
Though the French established colonies in India in the 17th century itself, it was not until the end of the 19th century they started civil administration in French India
.
In the past, municipal administration was virtually the pivot of the whole administrative machinery in French India
. It had several features that could serve as a role model for hassle-free administration in French India.
and other French colonies
. The Territory was originally divided into ten communes in 1880, namely:
As the area were found too large for administration, by decree of 24 December 1907 they were re-organized into 17 communes, with effect from 21 February 1908.
Consequent on the merger of Chandernagore with West Bengal
, the number of communes have been reduced to sixteen. These sixteen local areas (communes) were declared as Municipalities and administered by Mayors and the Councils
.
Except Pondicherry and Karikal which had 18 and 14 respectively, all other 14 communes had 12 seats each. Thus the total municipal council are 200 in number.
.
Other municipalities of French India
, ie., Karikal, Mahé and Yanaon
also have their respective Mairie halls at their place.
had 12 Sièges and Yanaon Municipalité had 12 Sièges. Then, they were called previously as Sièges instead of wards.
(Maire) and a Municipal council
(Conseil Municipal) which managed the commune from the Mairie (city hall). The life-span of a Municipal council was six years, with one half of the membership renewed for every three years.
Re-organized into 17 new communes by decree of 25 December 1907 (w.e.f 21 February 1908)
Re-elections held based on Indo-French agreement dated June 1948
, an organization sponsored by Bengal
members of the Indian Congress Party
, won 22 of the 24 seats. The Parishad had stated its policy as one of merger with India.
On 15 December the new Municipal Council passed a resolution in favour of such a merger and requested both the French and Indian Governments to effect the change of administration "in a smooth and amicable manner before March 31, 1949".
, who favoured the continuance of French rule, and the French India Congress (Congress
), who favoured union with India.
. Five days later, on 18 October a joint communiqué was issued stating that “all elected members of the Representative Assembly and municipal councils will meet on 18 October at Pondicherry to consider the joint proposals of the two Governments for a final settlement of the future of the establishments and to record their decision on these proposals as an expression of the wishes of the people”. This historical meeting is called Kiloor Congress.
The importance of the Congress and the necessity of the members to attend the Congress were expressed in a circular, which was signed by the Secretary General for French India
and dispatched to the elected members accompanied by the topographical map of the place where the congress was to be held together with the admission card. There was a proposal to hold the congress at karaikal
, but that was set aside. Kizhur, a tiny hamlet was finally chosen in order to avoid the disturbances, which the presence of messrs. Goubert
and Mouthoupoulle might have provoked if the congress had been held at Pondicherry.
Monsieur Balasubramanian, President of Assemblée Réprésentative, acted as presiding officer of the congress. After considering the draft agreement put before them by the French and Indian Governments the Congress voted in secret ballot An agreement for the de facto
transfer of the Establishments was thereupon signed in Delhi
on 21 October 1954.
French India
French India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...
.
French Metropolitan Decree
A French Metropolitan Decree, dated 12 March 1880 adopted a six-year term of office for Mayors (Maire), municipal councillors (Conseil Municipaux) and commune panchayats (Communes). Thus French India has seen a French system of municipal administration.In the past, municipal administration was virtually the pivot of the whole administrative machinery in French India
French India
French India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...
. It had several features that could serve as a role model for hassle-free administration in French India.
History of Communes from 1880
The whole system was devised on the same pattern as prevailed in FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and other French colonies
French Colonies
"French Colonies" is the name used by philatelists to refer to the postage stamps issued by France for use in the parts of the French colonial empire that did not have stamps of their own...
. The Territory was originally divided into ten communes in 1880, namely:
- Pondichéry
- Pondichéry (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Oulgaret
- Villenour
- Bahour
- Karikal
- Karikal (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Grand'Aldee
- Nedoungadu
- Chandernagore
- Chandernagore (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Mahé
- Mahé (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Yanaon
- YanaonYanam MunicipalityMunicipalité de Yanaon was created by a French Metropolitan Decree dated March 12, 1880. Yanaon municipality had 12 seats . Citizens from each ward elect one representative for "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon"...
(Chef-lieu de commune)
- Yanaon
As the area were found too large for administration, by decree of 24 December 1907 they were re-organized into 17 communes, with effect from 21 February 1908.
- Pondichéry
- Pondichéry (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Ariancoupom
- Mudaliarpeth
- Oulgaret
- Bahour
- Nettapacom
- Villenour
- Tiroubouvane
- Karikal
- KaraikalKaraikalKaraikal is a major port city of east coast of India and a municipality in Karaikal district in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India. Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said...
(Chef-lieu de commune) - Tirounallar
- Nedoungadu
- Kottucherry
- Grand'Aldee
- Neravy
- Karaikal
- Chandernagore
- Chandernagore (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Mahé
- Mahé (Chef-lieu de commune)
- Yanaon
- YanaonYanam MunicipalityMunicipalité de Yanaon was created by a French Metropolitan Decree dated March 12, 1880. Yanaon municipality had 12 seats . Citizens from each ward elect one representative for "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon"...
(Chef-lieu de commune)
- Yanaon
Consequent on the merger of Chandernagore with West Bengal
West Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, the number of communes have been reduced to sixteen. These sixteen local areas (communes) were declared as Municipalities and administered by Mayors and the Councils
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
.
Except Pondicherry and Karikal which had 18 and 14 respectively, all other 14 communes had 12 seats each. Thus the total municipal council are 200 in number.
Le chef-lieu de commune (Principal town)
French India had had five principal (Chef-lieu) communes. They are Pondichéry, Chandernagore, Karikal, Mahé and YanaonYanam Municipality
Municipalité de Yanaon was created by a French Metropolitan Decree dated March 12, 1880. Yanaon municipality had 12 seats . Citizens from each ward elect one representative for "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon"...
.
La Mairie (Hotel de Ville)
The Mairie (Town Hall) in Pondicherry is called as Hotel de Ville. It was magnificent and elegant 19th century municipality building situated close to the sea near Beach Road in Pondicherry Town.Other municipalities of French India
French India
French India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...
, ie., Karikal, Mahé and Yanaon
Yanam Municipality
Municipalité de Yanaon was created by a French Metropolitan Decree dated March 12, 1880. Yanaon municipality had 12 seats . Citizens from each ward elect one representative for "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon"...
also have their respective Mairie halls at their place.
Municipal wards (Sièges)
During French colonial rule, Pondichéry settlement had a total of 102 Sièges. Pondichéry commune had 18 Sièges while other 7 communes had 12 Sièges each. Karikal settlement had 74 Sièges. Chandernagore Municipality had 24 wards, Mahé MunicipalitéMahe municipality
Mahe municipality is the seat of Local Administration of the Mahe Region which belongs to the Union Territory of Pondicherry ....
had 12 Sièges and Yanaon Municipalité had 12 Sièges. Then, they were called previously as Sièges instead of wards.
Structure of municipality
Each ward (Siège) was represented by a municipal councilor (Conseiller Municipal). Each commune possessed a MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
(Maire) and a Municipal council
Municipal council
A municipal council is the local government of a municipality. Specifically the term can refer to the institutions of various countries that can be translated by this term...
(Conseil Municipal) which managed the commune from the Mairie (city hall). The life-span of a Municipal council was six years, with one half of the membership renewed for every three years.
Timeline of past elections held
- 1880 30 May
- 1883
- 1886
- 1892
- 1898
- 1902
- 1904
Re-organized into 17 new communes by decree of 25 December 1907 (w.e.f 21 February 1908)
- 1910
- 1916
- 1919
- 1922
- 1928 9 May
- 1931
- 1934 21 October
- 1937
- 1940
- 1946 23 June
Re-elections held based on Indo-French agreement dated June 1948
- 1948 24 October (Regarding future of French colonies)
- 1954 18 October (Regarding merger with India)
- de factoDe factoDe facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
transfer to Indian Union on 1 November 1954 - No elections until de jureDe jureDe jure is an expression that means "concerning law", as contrasted with de facto, which means "concerning fact".De jure = 'Legally', De facto = 'In fact'....
transfer
- de facto
- 1962
- 1968
- 2006
First and Last Mayors
- Pondichéry
- First : Léon Guerre
- Last : Muthu Pillai
- Karikal
- First : Mr.Gaudart
- Last : V. Govindarajan
- Mahé
- First : Advocate. Paduvankutty
- Last : V.N. Purushothaman
- YanaonYanam MunicipalityMunicipalité de Yanaon was created by a French Metropolitan Decree dated March 12, 1880. Yanaon municipality had 12 seats . Citizens from each ward elect one representative for "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon"...
- First : Bezawada Bapa NaidouBezawada Bapa NaidouBezawada Bapa Naidou was grandson of Bezawada Bapanaya, the first Mayor of Yanam. He was one of the two powerful political leaders in Yanam during French rule. It was told that he was very soft natured person and a vaishnavite. He was a humble and powerful politician in his times. Bouloussou...
- Last : Madimchetti Satianandam (de-jure), Samatam Kistaya (de-facto)
- First : Bezawada Bapa Naidou
- Chandernagore
- First : Charles Dumaine
- Last : Kamal Prosad Ghosh
Most important elections
Elections held on 24 October 1948 and 18 October 1954 are most crucial in the history of French India.Chandernagore elections
Municipal elections were in August 1948, and were conducted more or less peacefully. The Congress Karma ParishadCongress Karma Parishad
The Congress Karma Parishad was a political party in Chandernagore, French India. The Congress Karma Parishad was linked to the Indian National Congress. It was supported by Congress Party politicians from West Bengal. The party supported integration of Chandernagore with the Indian Union...
, an organization sponsored by Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
members of the Indian Congress Party
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
, won 22 of the 24 seats. The Parishad had stated its policy as one of merger with India.
On 15 December the new Municipal Council passed a resolution in favour of such a merger and requested both the French and Indian Governments to effect the change of administration "in a smooth and amicable manner before March 31, 1949".
- Total seats -24
- Congress Karma Parishad - 22
- Pro-French Group - 02
Election results of 1948
In June 1948 the French and Indian Governments came to an agreement as to how the future of the French Settlements should be determined. Municipal elections were held in Pondicherry, Karikal and Yanam on 24 October 1948. The two main parties were the French India Socialist PartyFrench India Socialist Party
The French India Socialist Party was a political party in French India. The party was led by Edouard Goubert, Minister for General Administration for French India. The party played a dominant role in the political life in the colony, being backed by the French administration...
, who favoured the continuance of French rule, and the French India Congress (Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
), who favoured union with India.
- Pondichéry - 102
- SocialistsFrench India Socialist PartyThe French India Socialist Party was a political party in French India. The party was led by Edouard Goubert, Minister for General Administration for French India. The party played a dominant role in the political life in the colony, being backed by the French administration...
- 83 - CongressIndian National CongressThe Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
- 13 - IndependentsIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
- 09
- Socialists
- Karikal - 74
- SocialistsFrench India Socialist PartyThe French India Socialist Party was a political party in French India. The party was led by Edouard Goubert, Minister for General Administration for French India. The party played a dominant role in the political life in the colony, being backed by the French administration...
- 64 - CongressIndian National CongressThe Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
- 10
- Socialists
- Yanaon - 12
- SocialistsFrench India Socialist PartyThe French India Socialist Party was a political party in French India. The party was led by Edouard Goubert, Minister for General Administration for French India. The party played a dominant role in the political life in the colony, being backed by the French administration...
- 03 - IndependentsIndependent (politician)In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
- 09
- Socialists
- Mahé - 12
- Owing to serious disturbances, elections were not held in Mahé.
Election results of 1954
Franco-Indian negotiations were resumed in early August 1954, that time in New Delhi. Nationalist agitation in the settlements was suspended while the negotiations were in progress. A compromise between the French and Indian points of view was worked out. India and France, following talks, issued a joint statement on 13 October 1954 announcing a procedure for deciding the status of the French settlementsFrench India
French India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...
. Five days later, on 18 October a joint communiqué was issued stating that “all elected members of the Representative Assembly and municipal councils will meet on 18 October at Pondicherry to consider the joint proposals of the two Governments for a final settlement of the future of the establishments and to record their decision on these proposals as an expression of the wishes of the people”. This historical meeting is called Kiloor Congress.
The importance of the Congress and the necessity of the members to attend the Congress were expressed in a circular, which was signed by the Secretary General for French India
French India
French India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...
and dispatched to the elected members accompanied by the topographical map of the place where the congress was to be held together with the admission card. There was a proposal to hold the congress at karaikal
Karaikal
Karaikal is a major port city of east coast of India and a municipality in Karaikal district in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India. Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said...
, but that was set aside. Kizhur, a tiny hamlet was finally chosen in order to avoid the disturbances, which the presence of messrs. Goubert
Goubert
Goubert is a surname, and may refer to:* Edouard Goubert, mayor* Joseph Goubert, field hockey player* Pierre Goubert, French historian* Stéphane Goubert, road race cyclist...
and Mouthoupoulle might have provoked if the congress had been held at Pondicherry.
Monsieur Balasubramanian, President of Assemblée Réprésentative, acted as presiding officer of the congress. After considering the draft agreement put before them by the French and Indian Governments the Congress voted in secret ballot An agreement for the de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
transfer of the Establishments was thereupon signed in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
on 21 October 1954.
- Total Voters - 178
- For IndiaIndiaIndia , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
- 170 - For FranceFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
- 8
- For India
Date of Events
| Colony | Liberation | de-facto transfer | Treaty of Cession | de-jure transfer | Merger |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pondichéry | - | 1 November 1954 | 28 May 1956 | 16 August 1962 | 1 July 1963 |
| Chandernagore | - | 26 June 1949 | 28 February 1951 | 9 June 1952 | 1 October 1954 |
| Karikal | - | 1 November 1954 | 28 May 1956 | 16 August 1962 | 1 July 1963 |
| Mahé | 16 June 1954 | 1 November 1954 | 28 May 1956 | 16 August 1962 | 1 July 1963 |
| Yanaon | 13 June 1954 | 1 November 1954 | 28 May 1956 | 16 August 1962 | 1 July 1963 |
See also
- Causes for Liberation of French colonies in IndiaCauses for Liberation of French colonies in IndiaMany interrelated political, cultural, socio-economic and geographical factors contributed to the liberation of French Establishments in India.-Geographical and cultural divergence:...
- Pondicherry Municipal Council
- Yanam Municipal Council
- French East India CompanyFrench East India CompanyThe French East India Company was a commercial enterprise, founded in 1664 to compete with the British and Dutch East India companies in colonial India....
- Coup d'État de YanaonCoup d'état de YanaonThe Coup d'état of Yanaon was an incident which brought interest for both India and France when both governments were in an ongoing negotiations in Delhi and Paris regarding the future of French settlements in India in 1954.Yanam was a predominantly pro-French colony, with staunch pro-French...
- French colonial empireFrench colonial empireThe French colonial empire was the set of territories outside Europe that were under French rule primarily from the 17th century to the late 1960s. In the 19th and 20th centuries, the colonial empire of France was the second-largest in the world behind the British Empire. The French colonial empire...
- French IndiaFrench IndiaFrench India is a general name for the former French possessions in India These included Pondichéry , Karikal and Yanaon on the Coromandel Coast, Mahé on the Malabar Coast, and Chandannagar in Bengal...