Ananda Ranga Pillai's diary under French occupation in Pondicherry

As I was researching the history of Pondicherry for a previous blog entry I discovered, and was immediately fascinated by, Anandarangapillai's diary. He describes life under French occupation with vivacity and great intelligence agremented by a good sense of humor. The tensions created by the French presence come alive in the passage included here and throughout the diary. Written in Tamil, this entry is from the 1904 translation by J. Frederick Price. To give context here is a very brief overview of the history of Pondicherry's colonization: The area was bought in 1673 from the Bijapur Sultan by the Compangie Française des Indes Orientales (The French East India Company was a company chartered by the King to expand commerce in Asia) to serve of trading post with India. The enclave became particularly prosperous under the government of Jean François Dupleix 1742 - 1754. This governor was interested in extending the territory of Pondicherry and conquered part of South India, as a result of his victories against the British. Anandarangapillai's diary from 1736 to 1751 encompasses Dupleix' office. After that period of expansion, the colony's prosperity waned, taken back and forth from the British. While procrastinating as long as possible France finally returned the territory to India in 1956. Photos above picture, from top to bottom, Jean François Dupleix, the Nabob of the Carnatic - an ally of the French - fighting the English,and Pondicherry in ruins after hostilities with the British.
Thanks to Will Greenspon for helping me format this text .


Stozday, September 8 1748
Yesterday, 200 soldiers, 60 or 70 troopers and 200 sepoys were stationed at St. Paul's Church in view of the matter in hand: This morning, M. Gerbault (the Engineer), the priests with diggers, masons, coolies and others, 200 in all, with spades, pick-axes and whatever is needed to demolish walls, began to pull down the southern wall of the Vedapuri tswaran temple and the out-houses. At once the temple managers, Brahmans and mendicants came and told me. I have already written what I heard last night.
Before M. Dupleix was made Governor, and when he was only a Councillor, all the Europeans. and some Tamils used to say that if he became Governor, he would destroy the Iswaran temple. The saying has come to pass. Ever since his appointment, he has been seeking to do so, but he _has had no opportunity. He tried to get Muttayya Pillai to do it in May or June 1743. But the latter, would not consent, though the Governor threatened to cut his ears off and beat him publicly and even to hang him. So Muttayya Pillai devised a way whereby to dissuade the Governor, and said, ' There has come a Brahman saint to Tiruppappuliyar. As there is a festival there, I will go thither, bring the Brahina,n here, and make him tell the heads of castes to remove the lingam and build another temple.' Being reluctant to be guilty of this sin, and desiring the temple for which his father had worked and died to remain there for ever, he thus deceived the Governor, and for the sake of his father's fame he resolved to bear no matter what. He reflected that all things were transitory except glory.; and so risked both his wealth and the poli¬garship. As about then Gopalanarayanappayy an. had been seized and made prisoner, he feared the Muhammadans might molest him, if be went by land. So he obtained permission, and prepared a masula boat used to carry nuts, put all his goods into it, and landed at Cuddalore, having beforehand sent his women by land to attend the festival. He then went to Venkatarnmalpettai and lodged in Sadasiva Pillai's house. But for this stratagem, the temple could not then have been saved."
Now all have left the town by reason of the troubles. The English are besieging us, and the few that remain cannot depart. Moreover the town is full of gunpowder, guns and cannon, so all are alarmed. The Governor allowed the Brahmans to depart, because ten or twenty of them might be bold enough to suffer death, and because he suspect. ed them of being spies; but he ordered that those who went should not be readmitted, thus taking advantage of the war to get rid of the Brahmans, though other caste people might return. So all, both men and women, have departed. Besides he has posted soldiers to frighten away even fifty or a hundred persons, should so many come to speak on behalf of the Brahmans. The four gates of the Fort have been closed by reason of the troubles ; and he has ordered the destruction of the temple. What can we do P There are not even ten of the heads of castes to assemble and speak. We can do nothing, because he has taken advantage of this time of war to accomplish his long-standing object and demolish the temple. So I told them they could do nothing but remove the images and other things to the Iakahasti tswaran temple. They again asked if I could not speak, but I repeated what I have written above, and told them at once to remove the images used in festivals, vAhanams,1 etc. The managers departed, saying that they would tell the heads of castes..
About seven o'clock I ate cold rice and went to the nut-godown near the Governor's house. At once Tillaiyappa Mudali, TJttira Peddu Chetti (the coral-merchant), Arnmayappan, Pichch'andi, Devanayaka Chetti of Negapatam, the mason Ven¬katkhalam, his brother Lachigan,. Kuttiyk Pillai, Chinnadu Mudali, .A.ndanAyaka Mudali and two more weavers, Muttukumarappa Mudali, son of Ariyaputhiri Mudali, a Vellala, the husband of Sadayappa IVIudali's sister-in-law, an Agamudiyan whom I do not know, three or four cultivators, and the managers of the temple came and said,
' The temple is being demolished, as they think it the best time to do so. We will speak to the Governor about it, and tell him that if he insists, some of us will die, and none will care to remain here. Please come with us and tell the Governor. But if you will not, we will speak with him and then leave, the town.' I replied,
Many have already left the town ; there are hardly ten of you remaining. Not even a hundred or a hundred and fifty of you can go and tell your grievances to the Governor. So of what use going to him ? If you had wished to depart, you could have gone long ago with your women on account of the war ; and now it does not matter who remains or goes. You may go if you like.' They replied,
' The Governor ordered us not to assemble to-morrow or the day after, and said we had better not depart, that he would settle our business if we told him what it was, and that we could assemble, leave the town or do whatever we pleased if he failed to satisfy us. But as the temple, as dear to us as life, is being demolished, as in this time of war we cannot assemble and settle any business, and as the town itself is in great trouble and deserted by the people, we are resolved to speak with the Governor. If he hears us, well; but if not, we can only depart.' I replied,
The heads of castes are intended to report to the Governor any wrongful deeds done in the town. He has told you to report to him whatever is done without his knowledge, and that he will give the necessary orders. But this does not include what he himself may do ; and as the present matter is his own action, it will be no use petitioning him. Carry away the temple articles; the images used in festivals and so forth, to the Perumal and Icalahasti Tswaran temples.' But they refused to do so, still saying that they would speak with the Governor. So I continued,
Is there so much union among you ? Or has the Governor even thought of consulting you ? The temple is being demolished ; why talk vainly ? They will carry off the temple articles also. Then you will forget the destruction of the temple, but have to ask him to return the goods, and he will triumph, in that after all you have come to beg him for the articles. He thought that all would desert the town and fifty or a hundred be killed if the temple were demolished; so he did not go himself, but being afraid sent others and stationed soldiers, sepoys and horsemen there beforehand. If now you go to him, you will remove his fears. So do not,go to him, but go to the temple and remove the articles.'
They began saying, Do you think us so foolish ? Do you not know our wisdom ? '
I said, ' There are among you Arumugatta Mudali and Lachigan, mason Venkatachalam's younger brother, the men who said that they would get people's consent to demolish the Vedapuri tswaran temple and build it elsewhere, if AnnapArna Ayyan was made-Choultry dubash. Have not you been telling Madame for the last two months that, if Malayappa Mudali (Tambicha Mudali's son) and the other were made Chief Dubash and Choultry dubash respect¬ively, you would see that the Vedapuri tswaran temple was demolished ? Moreover, did not Anna¬phrna Ayyan tell the St. Paul's priests that he had obtained the people's consent to demolish the Iswaran temple, and that he would secure its
destruction if he and Malayappa Mudali were appointed ? Formerly the Governor sent for you, and told you that the temple must be destroyed, as it was near the church and in the middle of the street.; and so there has always been a struggle between you and him, as he has been urging you to build it elsewhere, and promising to pay the cost and give a good site, never more interfere in your religion, and allow you to do as you like... For the last fifty years he has been promising to give everything in writing ; but you have replied that the svayambhal lingcon cannot be removed elsewhere ; yet you have agreed among yourselves to build the temple in some other place. Understanding this, the Governor reflected that if he consulted you, you would make great demands ; and Madame has assured him that you are disunited and will not cry out, however much you are beaten ; so he has not consulted you before he gave the order. Do you not know this ? Not ten of you think alike, so can you talk boldly and becomingly ? Aru¬mugatta Mudali and Lachigan said that they would persuade the rest to allow the temple to be removed; but now they cannot boast. Peddu Chetti always takes the winning side and claims a share ; and is frightened if a palmyra falls. ten miles away. I cannot approve of your Words ; you had best say nothing ; if you speak now and fail, there is no hope left. I heard just now that the southern wall and the outhouses had been pulled down, and that they were demolishing the Arthamantapam 1 and Mahamantapam.2 Don't delay. Remember how blindly matters are being driven on. The St. Paul's priests will send the European soldiers, Coffrees, Topasses, and even their Pariah converts with clubs into the temple to carry away, break and damage all they can. if you complain, they will only beat you. So you will lose not only the temple, but also the articles, the images used in the festivals, the Pillaifar and all the other images. Any one can do what he pleases here now, and there is no man to question him. Still worse is it in matters connected with our temples. By his, wife's advice, M. Dupleix has accomplished what has been attempted in vain for the last fifty years. But now the time has come. I cannot describe the boundless joy of the St. Paul's priests, the Tamil and Pariah converts, Madame Dupleix and M. Dupleix.. In their delight, they will surely enter the temple, and will not depart without breaking and trampling under foot the idols and destroying all they can So go quickly and remove all the articles.'
But they did not listen to me. A.ndanayakam, Tillaiyappa Mudali, liuttiya Pillai, Chinnadu Mudali and the three or four others made as though to depart, still believing that the Governor would not permit this destruction if they asked him not to. Even when I reminded them of what Iru¬mugatta Mudali and Lachigin had said and done, the former said that he could not believe that the Governor would really do so, or at least a new site and money for the temple would be given. So saying lie went away muttering, with a pale face. Lachigan believed me, understanding that it was no use talking about the matter, and started to go; but when 1 related what they had secretly planned to do, he grew -pale and he still stood in their midst.
Just then news was brought that Father Omar¬doux, the Superior of St. Paul's Church,' .had kicked the inner shrine with his foot, and had ordered the Coffrees to remove the doors, and the Christians to break the vaha,naras. I then told them that my words bad been justified, and went to the Governor's, telling them now at least to go to the temple.
The Governor said nothing, thinking that I should say this and that if he began to speak with me, and went in Madame's coach to St. Paul's Church. I was relieved that he should go away without speaking about it, and, thinking that it was best to do nothing, I followed him, meaning to go to the nut-godown.
Just then firumugatt, Mudali, Peddu Chetti, Tillaiyappa Mudali and other heads of castes, ten in all, went and salaamed to the Governor as he was passing the cattle-shed west of his house. The Governor asked Varlam what they wanted. Varlam replied falsely that they sought permission to remove the articles from the temple which, was being destroyed. The Governor approved, gave them permission, and then told the peons to beat and disperse the crowd.
The Governor and Madame ordered the ancient Muhammadan mosque, that stands opposite to and west of the Capuchins' Church and behind M. Godivier's house, to be pulled down ; and When he sent men to pull down the iswaran temple, he told them to pull down the mosque also. When they were 'pulling down the walls round the mosque, some Lubbays went and told 'Abd-ul-rahman; so he came running to the Governor, salaamed and said,
It is said that you have ordered our mosque to be demolished. If so, not a sepoy will be left, for they will all fall upon the workers and perish.' On this the Governor revoked his order, for he depended upon them in certain matters ; and so, having dis¬missed him, went to St. Paul's Church. If the Tamils had only had some among them as brave in word if not in deed as these IVIuhaminadans, none would have thought of touching the temple.
'Abd-ul-rahman, having thus obtained leave that the mosque should not be touched, sent away his men and came to my nut-godown. He said, The Governor was wrong to have recalled his troops from Ariyankuppam and the bound-hedge when the enemy came to attack Pondichery ; and he is disquieting men by interfering with religion. While the troubles last, he should please all, and encourage them to worship Siva so as to achieve success. But instead of this, he listens to his wife, seizes men as spies, imprisons them and makes them carry earth ; so that the people have begun to wish that Pondichery may fall into the hands of the English. The town is full of Christians, and justice cannot be had.. Even those who have paid their debts are imprisoned, and by Madame's power required to pay more. Every house is being plundered by men who say they are Madame's peons. As though these were not enough, he has ordered the Hindu temple to be destroyed. He should not make the people tremble. What times these are I God brings these troubles on the town in anger at Madarne's injustice ; a town is sure to be ruined when it is governed by a woman who dominates her husband. The Councillors do nothing. Why do not they ask whether he is managing either the Company's affairs or his own, and whether the Company appointed him or Madame Governor ? Can they not tell him what injustice his wife commits ? Is not this a sign of evil ? Madame gives us orders even about the war. Is this government? Having thus spoken at great length so that all could hear, 'Abd-ul-rahman took leave.

I then heard that the priests of St. Paul's Church told the Coffrees, soldiers and Pariahs to beat the heads of castes when. they went to the temple to remove their articles. They were scarcely suffered to approach the temple, and when they were removing the vahanams, shoulder-poles 1 and temple documents, each man was beaten twenty or thirty times. It was with extreme difficulty that they rescued the idols used in the processions and the Pillaiyar.
Then Father Cceurdoux of Karikal came with a great hammer, kicked the lingarn, broke it with his hammer, and ordered the Coffrees and the Europeans to break the images of Vishnu and the other gods. Madame went and told the priest that he might break the idols as he pleased. He answered that she had accomplished what had been impossible for fifty years, that she must be one of those Mahatmas who established this religion in old days, and that he would Publish her fame throughout the world. So saying he dismissed them.
Then Varlam also kicked the great lingam nine or ten times with his sandals in the presence of Madame and the priest, and spat on it, out of gladness, and hoping that the priest and Madame would regard him also as a Mahatma. Then he followed Madame. I can neither write tier describe what abominations were done in the temple. know not what fruit they will reap. All the Tamils think that the end of the world has come. The priests, the Tamil Christians, the Governor and his wife are more delighted than they have ever been before, but they have not yet considered what will befall them in the future. I have written what many persons have told. me.
I think the Governor believes that by destroying the temple he has done -what no Governor has been able to do for the last fifty years ; for even when the King of France wrote thrice to M. Lenoir, himself as powerful as a King, the latter declared it impossible, because all the Tamil inhabitants would have left Pondichery in a body. He believes that the King will think none so great as he, if he can report that he has been able to overcome all difficulties and demolish the temple. He thinks also that the priests of St. Paul's will proclaim his glory throughout the country. But even though he wanted to demolish the temple at this time, he should have assembled the ten heads of castes who remained in the town in spite of the war, and explained that there was war between the French and the English, that the English had surrounded the town, that the temple must be destroyed for military reasons, and so he could spare it no longer, as a building had to be raised there, as high as the St. Paul's Church, to carry guns. With such excuses he should have told them to remove the temple goods, promising a new site, where (as soon as there was peace) they might build a temple after their manner. Then he might justly have demolished the temple. lf they did not remove the goods after having once been told, he could have begun the destruction all the same, since he could say that he had already warned them. Thereby his rule would have been beautified. God pro¬tects all equally, and as the lord of a town is as God •to the inhabitants, he also should do the like and thereby beautify his rule. And even though the Governor is cruel at heart, he should at least act as I have said. If a man offends God, how can he answer it ? So he should rule in justice, for, if he does not, what help is there ?
I afterwards heard that the temple had been levelled with the ground, and that the whole people were troubled at heart. That has to-day been done which for fifty years has been impossible. The wise man will say that the glory of an image is as short-lived as human. happiness. The temple was destined to remain glorious till now but now has fallen. I have written as the matter appears to me.
As the English army entered the bounds this afternoon, all the guns mounted on the ramparts from the Oil-merchants' street to the corner of the Valudavar gate opened fire. Shells were also fired from the mortar at the Valudavitr gate and fell upon the enemy. I hear that, when the shell exploded, even those who had pitched their tents on the high ground at Olukarai were alarmed. I myself went to the Val-Or gate and saw the mortar being fired. The Governor too was there. The shell weighed 136 .pounds, and, when it was fired from the mortar, it rose up into the skies and descending fell into the camp on the hill north of Olukarai. Its roar and its beauty as it fell, spitting fire, reminded me of the burning star in the Ramgyana. I have seen and heard God's thunder. I think this is man's thunder—no less. It made three different noises,—one when it was shot forth, another when it fell, and a third when it burst. This can be handled by none but Europeans ; for they only can handle it with skill. After the bombs were fired, the guns on the ramparts fired continuously until six o'clock in the evening. Then they stopped, and the Governor and M. Paradis went home. I watched all this from the ValudAviIr gate, and then went to the nut-godown.
The Governor sent for me and told me to give the coolies one great measure of paddy each, and inform M. Gerbault of his order. I said I would do so, and ordered Chinnadu, the paddy-godown writer, to issue paddy when M. Gerbault's men asked for it. Then I came home. I hear that they used a maund of powder each time the mortar was fired.


Please note that this is a different text from the French entry as the French translation is edited down from the original.

Contributed by - - Arabella Hutter