A 3 Fact and Fiction about Franco-Pondicherry

Abstract

History is a science that could give space only to facts. In such documents sentiments and human relationships are dealt with only to a limited extent. When it comes to colonialism, these humanitarian factors play a major role since two extremes are to survive together: in this case, powerful France and traditional India. These parts that cannot be touched by History are easy to be dealt with in a work of fiction. This Paper presents the novel La Conquíªte du Paradis, published in 1890 by the French writer, Judith Gautier. The story takes place in Pondicherry, a Union Territory in South India, which was then under the governance of Dupleix in the middle of the 18th century. The hero is De Bussy, an officer under the fold of Dupleix. He falls madly in love with Ourvaci, the queen of Bangalore. This beautiful love plot has for its décor true historical events. The period was strongly marked by the rivalry between the English and the French which is narrated to the best of the author's honesty. Besides, the novel focuses also on the disparities between castes, a tradition deeply rooted into the soils of India, seen through the eyes of the French. This two-way narration, with romance on one side and history on the other, illustrates not only the Pondicherry of yore and the projects of the ambitious French on the land, but also the feelings and the reactions of the natives towards the reforms of the French. Through this article, I would like to bring out the point that besides historical documents the works of fiction of such kind based on historical events, could also serve as documentation of India's colonial history.