Abstract EN:

The nationalist movement in india has its genesis in the anti-partition movement which began in 1905 to oppose the british decision to partition bengal. The movement drew an immediate response from chandernagor, the french establishment of bengal, situated at about 2000 kilometres from the french capital, pondichery. Tiny anglophone suburb of calcutta, it rapidly distinguished itself as a highly strategic point for bengali nationalists at war with british high-handedness. The swadeshi movement, born in 1905 claimed nothing but the annulment of the partition. Failing to achieve even a minor success, the movement took a gradual turn towards extremism, going rapidly on to terrorism. Consequently, from 1908 to 1916, chandernagor became a refuge, a second base for terrorists, where plots were hatched, bombs manufactured and arms distributed. The french and specially the british reacted sharply to this movement. The nationalists however held full sway and forced the two colonial powers to abandon all projects concerning extradition or cession. Nevertheless, the movement took a downward plunge after 1916. Till the outbreak of the second world war, chandernagor followed the doctrine of non-violence preached by mahatma gandhi. Where as until 1946, the nationalist movement in chandernagor shared a common enemy with the rest of india, the year 1947 marked a turning point in its history. With the british decision to quit the sub-continent, the movement turned for the first time against the french. The nationalist demand for the unification of chandernagor with india was fulfilled two years later. The referendum of 19th june 1949 marked the end of the 200 year old french rule in chandernagor. Taking advantage of the political and geographical uniqueness of chandernagor, the nationalists managed to establish an equilibrium with the french which they used to their best advantage. The result was that chandernagor became the first ever french colony to gain independence.