Union Territories

"A number of Ladakhi intellectuals and some of the more widely educated monks have gradually responded to the Western interest in Tibetan Buddhism. When I first went to Ladakh in the early eighties, Leh was the centre of a drive for westernisation in the Indian mode. Everything traditional was old hat, waiting to be discarded. Over the years this attitude has changed.... The fact that Westerners may take the doctrines of liberation seriously and practise intensively has impressed Ladakhis, particularly when they realise how ill equipped they are to respond to the searching questions Westerners habitually ask."

"As if this is not enough, there is a deliberate and organised design to convert Kargil's Buddhists to Islam. In the last four years, about 50 girls and married women with children were allured and converted from village Wakha alone. If this continues unchecked, we fear that Buddhists will be wiped out from Kargil in the next two decades or so. Anyone objecting to such allurement and conversions is harassed... Therefore, to protect the religious and cultural identity of the Ladakhi people, an anti-conversion law must be enacted for Kargil as is presently in force in states like Arunachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh."

"When Kashmir was under Muslim rule for 500 years, Hindus were constantly tortured and forcibly converted. A delegation of Kashmir Brahmans approached Guru Teg Bahadur at Anadpur Saheb to seek his help. But Kashmir was Islamized. Those who fled to preserve their religion went to Laddakh in the east and Jammu in the south. It is for this reason that non-Muslims are found in large number in these regions."

"People [in Ladakh] were so so at ease with themselves and with the world, and so full of vitality and joy... I saw step-by-step how the outside consumer culture was destroying local businesses and jobs, particularly farming. Everything about the local culture became under-valued or – more than that – seen as primitive and backward. I saw how destructive that was for people."

"In the past, Ladakhi children learned the skills needed to survive, even to prosper, in their difficult environment: they learned to grow food, tend for animals, build houses from local materials. But in the new Westernized schools, children were instead provided with skills appropriate for a fossil fuel-based, urban life within a globalized economy – a way of life in which almost every need is imported."

"Helena Norberg-Hodge... in her book Ancient Futures: Lessons from Ladakh for a Globalizing World, she showed us how Ladakh was once a happy place before its initiation to Western ideas and material goods. From her own experience of living in Ladakh, she wrote that earlier interdependency in the community was very strong but everything changed socially, ecologically and economically after so-called ‘development’ took place there."

"The progress of the settlements was interrupted by events in Europe. The Dutch captured Pondicherry in 1693 when the French regained it under the Peace of Ryswick (1697), they gained the best fortifications in India but lost their trade. By 1706, the French enterprise was moribund. The company’s privilege were let to a group of Saint-Malo merchants from 1702-20. After 1720, however, came a dramatic change. The company was reconstituted, and over the next twenty years its trade was expanded, and new stations were opened."

"The British were saved by the military genius of Clive, an aggressive British Empire-builder who became the chief representative of the East India Company, which had been founded in 1600. Eventually the French were restricted to the fort at Pondicherry (modern Puducherry) and handful of small territories in the south eastern coast."

"After 1763 the French establishments in India, which were under the authority of the king after abolition of the company in 1769, comprised - apart from a few small posts (loges) – no more than five settlements of moderate size,...Pondicherry and Karaikal on the Coromandel coast. The English conquest of India lessened the commercial activity of the French settlements. They were occupied by the English in 1776 and again in 1793, but in 1816 were returned to France. The Second republic of France granted them local government and representation in the French government. Under the Second Empire of France, commercial liberalism and Anglo-French understanding gave three settlements a fleeting moment of prosperity."

"In 1947 the loges were given back to independent India. Chandernagore was finally transferred in 1951. De facto transfer of the four remaining French possessions to the Union of India took place on 1 November 1954, and de jure transfer was completed on 28 May 1956. Instruments of ratification were signed on 16 August 1962 from which date Pondicherry, consisting of the four enclaves, became a Union territory. The territory formally took the name Puducherry in 2006."

"Christians are numerous in Pondicherry. There are also a few Sikhs, Buddhists, and Jains...There are no industries or mining in the union territory. It purchases its entire power requirements from nearby states. Puducherry is governed by a Lieutenant Governor who is advised by a Chief Minister and council of Ministers. The jurisdiction of the Madras High Court extends over the union territory."

"Puducherry contains the Hindu ashram (religious retreat) of the philosopher Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) as well as w:AurovilleAuroville, the international township and study centre that was named for him. The Roan Rolland Public Library houses some rare French volumes. A medical college, a law college, an engineering college, and several other colleges for general education are affiliated with the University of Madras."

"Pondicherry Town attracts the maximum number of foreign and domestic tourists primarily due to the presence here of the ‘Aurobindo Ashram’, and ‘Auroville’ in the nearby area of Tamil Nadu. They are attracted to these two institutions for the enshrined ‘Spiritualism’ and the ‘Way of life’ practiced there Pondicherry Town’s historic French connections, the Heritage buildings and French cultural linkages permeating the town atmosphere are the other major draw for foreign tourists, as also the Pondicherry - born French nationals living abroad at present. For the latter group, it is home coming once in a few years."

"The religious policy pursued in the early part of the century at Pondicherry is remarkable. It appears to have been ordered that no temple should be repaired; Nainiyappau was ordered to be converted within six months under pain of losing his post as Chief Dubash; Hindu festivals were prohibited on Sundays and the principal Christian feasts; even when these regulations had caused the greater part of the town to be deserted, the Jesuits urged that a temple should be pulled down instead of conciliatory measures being employed... It is difficult to avoid the conclusion that in this zealous proselytising policy lies one reason why Pondicherry was far inferior to Madras as a commercial centre; and perhaps the same cause also contributed to the absolute failure of Dupleix’s efforts to induce the Madras merchants to settle under the French."

"The priests of St. Paul’s Church have been trying for the last fifty years to pull down the Vedapuri Iswaran temple; former Governors said that this was the country of the Tamils, that they would earn dishonour if they interfered with the temple, that the merchants would cease to come here, and that the town would decay; they even set aside the king’s order to demolish the temple; and their glory shone like the sun. ... Before M. Dupleix was made Governor, and when he was only a Councillor, all the Europeans and some Tamils used to say that if he became Governor, he would destroy the Iswaran temple. The saying has come to pass. ... [The Governor] has taken advantage of this time of war to accomplish his longstanding object and demolish the temple. ... I cannot describe the boundless joy of the St. Paul’s priests, the Tamil and pariha converts, Madame Dupleix and M. Dupleix. In their delight, they will surely enter the temple, and will not depart, without breaking and trampling under foot the idols and destroying all they can. ... Then Father Coeurdoux of Karikal came with a great hammer, kicked the lingam, broke it with his hammer, and ordered the Coffrees and the Europeans to break the images of Vishnu and the other gods. Madame went and told the priest that he might break the idols as he pleased. He answered that she had accomplished what had been impossible for fifty years, that she must be one of those Mahatmas who established this religion [Christianity] in old days, and that he would publish her fame throughout the world. ... I can neither write nor describe what abominations were done in the temple... All the Tamils think that the end of the world has come. ... The wise men will say that the glory of an image is as short-lived as human happiness. The temple was destined to remain glorious till now, but now has fallen."

"If you've seen the Ang Lee film Life of Pi you'll understand why. The opening scenes are set in the Pondicherry of the hero's early life. Whether you're watching in 3D or not, the lush gardens, European mansions and elegant walkways leap out of the screen. This is a film, and a pretty fantastical one at that. All the same, Ang Lee's vision could have been lifted straight from the guidebooks and tourist literature. Pondicherry is "The Indian Côte d'Azur" and "The Riviera of the East", a haven of French style and refinement separated from Boomtown India...It was as if an elegant French country town had been transported to the Bay of Bengal."

"By 1850, the British had secured their grip on India. They allowed the retreating French to remain in four small pockets of South Indian territory. Pondicherry was pocket central. The British were content to let this Gallic anomaly survive until it, too, gained its full independence in 1963."

"The French laid out their streets in a formal w:Grid patterngrid pattern. This was White Town. Over the canal, or Drain, the Tamil quarter, Black Town, grew up in its own organic way – albeit with a great number of fine mansions built by wealthy traders."

"In 2006, Pondicherry became Puducherry – having reverted to its pre-colonial Tamil name. It was no longer an anomaly. This was indeed boomtown India. Pondi – as its long-term residents like to call it – is already swollen. As in so many Indian cities, the economic miracle has had its way, spawning a population increase of over 20 per cent in the past two censuses."

"Pondicherry is fast losing its special physical character and atmosphere, not just because of the increasing population, traffic and pollution, but also due to the alarming loss of old buildings in the name of development."

"The spiritual heart of Pondi is the ashram of Sri Aurobindo founded by the eponymous mystic and his enigmatic follower, the Mother, in 1926. You see the ashram's distinctive light-grey buildings all around town: schools, libraries, shops and restaurants. The main building is a silent, contemplative grove, where Aurobindo and the Mother are laid to rest."

"Auroville is something of an architect's dream and has long attracted idealistic designers eager to experiment with materials and technologies."

"Pondi is not the same: not the same as British India, not the same as those bursting, cacophonous cities and depressingly litter-strewn villages of the South Indian countryside. It remains a wonderful and unique place to visit. Some things have changed for the better in 10 years. There are some wonderful hotels, an eclectic range of restaurants; chic and quirky boutiques have popped up."

"The basic materials for tourism industry are culture, heritages, natural vegetation, beaches, parks, monuments and sculptures, etc. which Puducherry possesses abundantly and can be exploited for the betterment of the Economy."

"Pondicherry (Puducheri) literally means 'the new settlement', was merged with the Indian Union on 1st November 1954. The Union Territory of Puducherry is administered under the provisions of Government of Union Territories Act, 1963."

"Puducherry is referred by names such as ‘Quintessence of French Culture’, ‘India’s Little France’ and ‘The French Riviera of the East’. It includes four enclaves located in three states of South India. It includes the coastal towns of Pondicherry and Karaikal in Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andhra Pradesh and Mahe in Kerala. Pondicherry is the Capital of this Union Territory and one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. Pondicherry has been described by National Geographic as "a glowing highlight of subcontinental sojourn". The town has been dubbed "The Europe of India.""

"Puducherry has a rich French Cultural heritage, having been the capital of the French Colonies in India since the 17th Century. Puducherry region, with a coastal line of 32 Km, well planned French Boulevard town, palm fringed beaches, resorts, [[w:Backwater|backwaters, water sports centre, fishing villages, harbour, and the pier, Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville and other attractions. Puducherry is a place of many faiths and worship - Puducherry Temples & [[w:Mosque|Mosques which dominate the landscapes. In and around Puducherry there are 350 temples –big and small. Karaikal has another ninety-nine temples, of which some were built by the Chola kings between the 10th and 12th centuries. As a former French colony, Puducherry is known for French ethnicity. France is thus a natural potential market for Puducherry tourism. The nostalgic visit by French nationals to Puducherry is a trend that has far reaching impact on tourism and overall economy."

"Goa, Daman and Diu were the main Portuguese possessions in India which remained under the Portuguese rule for 450 years. They were liberated on 19 December 1961 during Operation Vijay. Both Daman and Diu were governed from Goa till their liberation on 19 December 1961. Before the Portuguese period, from fourteenth to sixteenth century. Diu was one of the best port and naval bases and both Daman and Diu were notable."

"From the 8th to 13th century, Daman and Diu, which was a part of Goa was a stronghold of the Chowda Rajputs who were ousted by the Waghalas who in turn were expelled by Muslims in 1330. It continued under Muslim rule for another two hundred years till it was conquered by the Portuguese."

"The twin islands [of Daman and Diu] are a perfect example of a place where history and nature meet.The tranquillity is what symbolises the beaches of Daman and Diu Islands. Daman was the Portuguese colony for over four centuries and joined the Indian Union in 1961."

"Daman or Damao is a quaint little port on the West Coast of India. It has been the coveted prize for which princes and potentates, local satraps and alien powers waged wars."

"Occupied by the Portuguese for four and a half centuries, traces of the European influence are still there...where the laid-back, susegado (contentment, not laziness) is vaguely palpable. Legend has it that a Portuguese captain Diogo de Mello first found it because it was a storm that forced him to take shelter there while on his way to Ormuz."

"...its 12.5 km coastline along the Arabian Sea was once known as Kalan Pavri or the "Lotus of Marshlands." The sleepy township is divided by the Damanganga river with Nani (or little) Daman in the North and Moti (or big) Daman in the South which retains some of its Portuguese ambiance in its buildings and churches enclosed within imposing walls of the Fort."

"The massive Fort [Daman Fort] that runs round the settlement like a girdle, dates back to 1559 A.D. This structure encompasses about 300 square metres with 10 bastions and two gateways. Enclosed within the Fort is the Governor’s Palace, collectorate, secretariat and other official buildings, having a moat on the land side and connecting the river Damanganga to the Arabian Sea. In fact, the whole city, or its most important limbs, are within the Fort."

"Gomtimata Beach is one of the best beaches of the region. Secluded and spread with white sand, it is located at the western corner of the island."

"It [Daman] is said to be the place where Lord Vishnu left his Sudarshan chakra after killing the demon Jallandhar. The hill and the surrounding areas and landscape have been beautifully illuminated."

"The Somnath Mahadev Temple is an important place of worship in Daman. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple situated in the village Dabhel. It is believed that the Shiva Linga originated at its present place on the request of a monk who was a devotee of Shiva. The miraculous incident is believed to have taken place in the 19th century, which induced people to hold this place as holy and they built a small temple. It was rebuilt in the year 1972-73 with glass decorative. Every year there is a fair organized here known as “Gangaji Fair”. Other location of interest are Devka beach and Jampore Beach."

"Some 5000 years ago, Diu was described as “Dev Bhadra”, or “fortress of the gods” in the epic Mahabharata. Even now, remains of the old fortifications can still be seen at low tide."

"A series of rulers from distant lands culminated in the Portuguese occupation from the early 1500's right through to 1961. Virtually all these occupants devoted their time to constructing more and more elaborate fortresses to protect the island from invasion....And the Portuguese also devoted a great deal of time to fortifying themselves with the excellent wines of their homeland."

"Of interest in Diu, is the fort Diu which occupies a very important position. It is an expansive and imposing structure situated on the extreme coast of the island. The fort commands a magnificent view of the sea and the surrounding areas. Towards the west of the fort lies the town of Diu. A number of old canons and collection of iron shells can be seen here. Near the Diu Fort,is Panikotha fortress in the sea which can be reached by boat. It is lit in the night giving a beautiful view. The massive historic Diu (Praca de Diu) fort complex built in 1535 was the key position of the whole strategic complex which comprises the other forts – one at Gagola, which was destroyed in 1896; the Passo Seco Fort at about 8 km from the city. This fort predates the Portuguese conquest."

"Diu is called “the city of temples”, with no less than 131 old and new temples dedicated to various deities. This is in addition to the beautiful churches and chapels, mosques and other places of worship."

"The Gangeshwar temple in Diu is unique as it has Shivalingas which are washed by sea. Located at Jalandhar Beach there are many other attractions. The two main churches are St. Paul’s and St. Francis of Asissi."

"The old Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, up on a hill, now a Museum, is floodlit, is past an avenue of 25 fountains, all different and illuminated in a changing spectrum of colours. The Museum itself has some fascinating exhibits, including statues of saints and w:Apostle (Christian)|the Apostles, relics and gravestones of Portuguese killed in battles, and fragments of an old [[Jain temple that used to stand on this spot."

"“…In the following year AH 804 (AD 1402), he marched to Somnat, and after a bloody action, in which the Mahomedans were victorious, the Ray fled to Diu. Moozuffur Shah having arrived before Diu laid siege to it, but it opened its gates without offering resistance. The garrison was, however, nearly all cut to pieces, while the Ray, with the rest of the members of his court, were trod to death by elephants. One large temple in the town was razed to the ground, and a mosque built on its site; after which, leaving his own troops in the place, Moozuffur Shah returned to Puttun.”"

"The port of Podoukê mentioned by the classical authors of the beginning of the Christian era (The Periplus and the Geography of Ptolemy) represented Putucceri or Putuvai in its contracted form (Pondicherry). The recent discovery of an ancient city dating from the 1st century A.D. at a few km to the south of the town, at Virampattinam or , on the banks of the Ariankuppam River, confirmed his hypothesis, and it is accepted today in all the history textbooks that these remains correspond to the Podoukê mentioned by the Greek authors and that this spot, regarded as an emporion by Ptolemy was a port having active commercial activities. The abundance of Chola coins found at this place seems to indicate that the site was not abandoned."

"In AH 797 (AD 1394-95)… he proceeded for the destruction of the temple of Somnãt. On the way he made Rajpûts food for his sword and demolished whatever temple he saw at any place. When he arrived at Somnãt, he got the temple burnt and the idol of Somnãt broken. He made a slaughter of the infidels and laid waste the city. He got a Jãmi‘ Masjid raised there and appointed officers of the Shari‘h…”“In AH 804 (AD 1401-02) reports were received by Zafar Khãn that the infidels and Hindûs of Somnãt had again started making efforts for promoting the ways of their religion. ‘Ãzam Humãyûn started for that place and sent an army in advance. When the residents of Somnãt learnt this, they advanced along the sea-shore and offered battle. ‘Ãzam Humãyûn reached that place speedily and he slaughtered that group. Those who survived took shelter in the fort of the port at Dîp (Diu). After some time, he conquered that place as well, slaughtered that group also and got their leaders trampled under the feet of elephants. He got the temples demolished and a Jãmi‘ Masjid constructed. Having appointed a qãzî, muftî and other guardians of Shari‘h… he returned to the capital at PaTan."

"Araikamedu in Puducherry (earlier Pondicherry) was a favorite port of the Romans."

"An excavation at Araikamedu (near present day Puducherry) revealed a Romans trading settlement of this period, and elsewhere too the Roman pottery, beads, intaglios, lamps, glass, and coins point to a continuous occupation resulting even in imitations of some Roman items."

"Pondicherry’s ancient history is from the Vedic era. The Roams traded here 2 millennia ago, and the Portuguese arrived in 1521 Dutch and Danish traders followed, but it was the French - who purchased the town in the late 17th century, only relinquishing their hold in 1954 – who left by far the most enduring legacy."

"The French East India Company (formed by Jean-Baptiste Colbert in 1666) established a settlement...in 1674 at Pondicherry. The company’s director, Francois Martin, made Pondicherry the capital of French posts."