Pondicherry had its own history due to its connection with the French. After delving deep into social, cultural, economic aspects of the Pondicherry society, this book focuses on politics and the freedom movement as it developed there, using sources written in Tamil, English and French. But when the freedom movement gathered steam in British India, Pondicherry and its dependencies were caught between the ideas of joining the French Union, or the Indian Union. Table of Contents List of Illustrations Acknowledgements Abbreviations Introduction 1. Society, Land and Economy 2. Emergence of the Professional Class 3. Administration and Politics 4. British Indian Stalwarts in Pondicherry 5. From Revolt to Anti-Fascism, 1936-1945 6. Nationalist Awakening in Pondicherry 7. The Rise of Goubert 8. Goubert’s Sway Continues 9. Towards Integration 10. Curtains Down on French Rule in India 11. Merger with India Conclusions and Observations Annexure Biographical Notes Bibliography Index About the Author: Jean-Baptiste Prashant More (b.1955) is a reputed independent historian. He obtained his doctorate in history from the prestigious Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales in Paris. He specialises in history, sociology and politics of southern India and colonial India. His latest books include Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and South India under French Rule: From François Martin to Dupleix 1674-1754 (Manohar, 2020) and Bose and His Movement: From Nazi Germany to French Indochina