West Benagal govt. to revive Chandannagar’s French legacy

The West Bengal government has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French Embassy to restore Chandannagar's colonial-era heritage, aiming to transform the town in Hooghly district into a prominent international tourism spot. The initiative will commence with the renovation of the Registry Building, the former administrative office of the French rulers.

Though Chandannagar was a French settlement, the French departed in 1950, yet its architectural heritage still attracts tourists. A three-day celebration, starting from September 11 to 13, will feature various cultural programs held along the riverbanks, with Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh and French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou in attendance.

Ghosh stated, "This town boasts numerous French structures. The city also played host to several freedom fighters who opposed the British. We have signed an MoU with the French Embassy in the presence of the Ambassador. Under this, we will restore the Registry Building and other French structures to preserve Chandannagar's heritage."

The minister also announced that a 'French festival' will be organized annually in the city to celebrate the India-France partnership. Ghosh elaborated, "We have prepared a map for such heritage renovation projects - 'Little Europe across the Ganges.' Chinsurah's Dutch heritage, Srirampore's Denis heritage, and Basnberiya's Portuguese heritage will also be preserved in the same manner, but we are initiating the process from Chandannagar."

In 1696, the French East India Company established its initial trading post in Chandernagore following permission from the Nawab Ibrahim Khan. A decade later, the French purchased a larger expanse of land from the Mughals and established a permanent settlement in the town. Besides the heritage-tagged buildings and structures, 99 Indo-French heritage sites in Chandernagore identified by the French require restoration.