Pondicherry, India
Surrounded by Tamil Nadu, the city of Pondicherry is the capital of Pondicherry union territory formed in 1962 from the four former colonies of French India-Pondicherry, Karaikal, and Yanam, on the Coromandel Coast, and Mahe, on the Malabar Coast (de facto transfer of French possessions to India took place on 1 Nov, 1954, de jure transfer on 28 May, 1956, and instruments of ratification were signed on 16 Aug, 1962). The city of Pondicherry originated as a trade centre in 1674, when it was purchased by the French from a local ruler. Today it is a seaside tourist resort known for the Hindu ashram (religious retreat) of Sri Aurobindo Ghose (1872-1950), now an international study centre. The union territory is governed by a lieutenant governor advised by a chief minister and a Council of Ministers; the jurisdiction of the Chennai High Court extends over it. (Also see Auroville.) [Adapted from Encyclopedia Britannica]
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