West Benagal govt. to revive Chandannagar’s French legacy

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French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou and West Bengal Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh launches the restoration project of the French-era Registry Building in Chandannagar. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

The West Bengal government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the French Embassy to restore Chandannagar’s colonial-era heritage and promote the town in Hooghly district as a major international tourism destination.

The project will begin with the renovation of the Registry Building, which used to be the main administrative office of the French rulers.

Chandannagar was once a French settlement. While the French left in 1950, the architectural heritage of the town continues to draw tourists. As part of a three-day celebration from September 11 to 13 to mark the initiative, a series of cultural programmes are being held across the riverbanks, with Tourism Minister Shankar Ghosh and French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou attending the events.

“This town has several French structures. The city also housed several freedom fighters who revolted against 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,” Mr. Ghosh said.

The Minister also announced that a ‘French festival’ will be organised in the city every year from now on to celebrate the India-France partnership. “We have prepared a map for such heritage renovation projects- ‘Little Europe across the Ganges.” Chinsurah’s Dutch heritage, Srirampore’ Denis heritage, and Basnberiya’s Portuguese heritage will also be preserved in the same way. However, we are starting it from Chandernagore,” said Mr. Ghosh.

In 1696, the French East India Company opened their first trading post in Chandernagore after getting a permission from the Nawab Ibrahim Khan. Ten years later, they bought a larger area of lands in this town from Mughals and made it their permanent settlement.

There are several buildings in the town that are a reflection of rich architectural heritage of the town. Other than the buildings and structures that have been given the heritage tag, a total 99 Indo-French heritage structures have been identified (by the French) in Chandernagore that needs to be resorted.

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