ABOUT YANAM

Yanam or Yanaon (Telugu: యానాం) is a town in the Indian union territory of Puducherry (Pondicherry); it is located in Yanam district. Yanam has some  300 years of history and is well known as French Yanam even now although it was transferred to India in 1954. It forms a 30 km² enclave in the district of East Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. It has a population of 32,000, most of whom speak Telugu and to a very small extent, Tamil. Yanam is a unique blend of French and Telugu culture prevailing in Andhra Pradesh. During French rule, the Tuesday market (mangalavaram santa) at Yanam was popular among  Telugu people in the Madras Presidency who visited Yanam to buy foreign and smuggled goods during Yanam People's Festival, which is held in   January. It was previously also called as kalyanapuram, because after implementation of Sarda Act in British India during 1929 many Andhra people used to come and do marriages (mainly Child marriage) here since local French government did not oppose child marriages. In 1936, Yanam Population is just 5,220.                              
According to the 1995-2005 Development Records it was the first best constituency in Puducherry, which is moving forward in the development sector, and also one of the best constituencies in India. Many development schemes were carried out for the people compared to other places in India and Yanam was a trial-base centre for implementing the development schemes in Puducherry.

Geography

Latitude: 16°42' N - 16°46' N; Longitude: 82°11' E - 82°19' E.
The district lies in the delta of Godavari River, the town is situated where the river meets its tributary Koringa River (Coringa River), 9 kilometres from the Bay of Bengal in the Coromandel coast.

Soil

It is occupied by alluvium consisting of sand clay and gravel. Ground water occurs both water table and confined conditions in the granular beds in the alluvial deposits. It is development by means of shallow filter point well within a depth of nine metres. The soil is grayish black and is essentially clayey in composition. A few thin layers of sandy clay or sand, not exceeding 0.3 metre in thickness are intercalated with the clayed soil. The river sands on the bank of Gauthami Godavari consists predominantly of quartz, felspar and muscovite mica. A few grains of monazite are also found in the black streaks. There are no minerals of economic value in the region.

Irrigation

Yanam received irrigation water through Bank Canal, which starts from Dowleswaram Head Works (Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage on the River GodavariFrench Channel built by an agreement entered in 1949 between the then French Government and the Government of India. This canal serves the irrigation as well as drinking water needs of the areas west of Coringa River. downstream Rajahmundry). This canal runs towards east up to Pillanka, a small village near Yanam. From popularly known as
After merger, steps were taken to provide irrigation facilities for about 5.6 km² of dry land in the eastern side of Coringa River by providing a new irrigation canal called Adivipolam Channel from the tail end of Tallarevu south canal and at the starting point of Neelapalli channel on the right side. The work was taken for execution by the Andhra Pradesh Public Works Department as a deposit work in 1964 and was completed and commissioned in June 1966. The water from this channel is used for drinking purpose also, as in the case of French Channel.

Climate

In the hot season humidity rates vary between 68% and 80%. But generally, it experiences a climate characterized by high humidity (over 70% in the day and 60% in the evenings throughout the year), an oppressive summer  season,  and a good rainfall. It enjoys the benefit of both the Southwest and Northeast monsoons. During a year on an average, the normal rainfall is 1226 mm.
The sky is generally heavily clouded to overcast during the southwest monsoon months. There is moderate cloudiness in the post monsoon months. During the rest of the year, the sky will be clear or lightly clouded.

Temperatures

Temperatures in Yanam range from 27 °C to 45 °C in summer and 17 °C to 28 °C in winter. From February, temperature start rising rapidly till May, which is the hottest month with the mean maximum around 37 °C and mean minimum around 28 °C. Humidity being high, the heat is very trying. The maximum temperature on some days in May or early June before the onset of the south-west monsoon may even touch 47 °C. The sea breeze, however affords some relief in the afternoons.
Similarly pre-monsoon thunder-showers may also bring welcome relief on some days. With the onset of the monsoon in June the temperature falls rapidly and remains almost steady till September. In this season mean maximum temperature is around 32 °C and night temperature fall rapidly till December or January when day temperature is around 27 °C and the night temperature around 19 °C. Sometimes the minimum temperature may drop as low as about 14 °C. December and January are the coolest months.

Population Year wise

As of 2001 India census, Yanam had a population of 31,362. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49 %. In Yanam, 14 % of the population is  under 6 years of age.^[update]

• 1843 - 4,000
• 1885 - 4,266
• 1936 - 5,220
• 1948 - 5,853
• 1971 - 8,291
• 1981 - 11,631
• 1991 - 20,297
• 2001 - 30,550

Villages

Apart from the town of Yanam itself, the following villages fall under the district's jurisdiction: Agraharam, Darialatippa, Farampeta, Guerempeta, Jambavanpeta, Kanakalapeta, Kurasampeta and Mettakur.

Literacy Rate

Yanam has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5% with male literacy at 68%, and female literacy at 60%.

Colonial History

Yanaon was a Dutch colony before French overtook it in 1720s. In the west of Yanam, we can still find 'Neelikundilu' (indigo wells). People say that the Dutch constructed a fort here .It is being called by locals as 'saali kota'  because previously weavers (in Telugu Saalivandru) used to weave clothes after the demise of Dutch people. In this fort, they used to keep their currency, minted in the mint at Neelapalli, a nearby village. People say that this region was presented to the French general the Marquis de Bussy, by Vizianagaram Kings a token of gratitude for the help rendered by Bussy in the fight against the rulers of Bobbili. Even now we can see a street named after Bussy in Yanam. It is believed that Bussy had stayed in a certain building in this street.

Political Era( after 1742)

But it was re-established completely in 1742 during the reign of Mughal emperor Muhammad Shah. After 1742 political motives began to overshadow the desire for commercial gain. Mr. De Choisis administered it. He died here on 27 October 1747. Monsieur Sinfray succeeded him. The annual rent was waived by a document in 1743 for Yanam. Mir Ahmad Ali Khan, Nawab of Arcot, granted all the rights on the lands situated before the quarters at Yanam in 1747.
In December 1753, a Paravana of Salabat Jang conceded to Bussy the Northern Circars. Salabat Jang was indebted for his elevation to the throne to the French East India Company, which was confirmed by then Mughal emperor also. The agreement made between the French and Salabat Jang in Aurangabad bears the signature of Said Loukshur, Minister of Salabat Jang. Yanam acquired considerable importance during the occupation of the Northern Circars by the French.

First British Occupation


Another important event in the history was the war between the French and the English fought at Chandurthi in 1758 in which the French were defeated. Salabat Jang made a treaty with British and gave the Northern Circars under a firman to the English. After 1760 the French lost hold in South India, especially on Northern Circars.
A document dated 15 May 1765 showed that the villages of Yanam and Kapulapalem (Capouloupalém) with other lands were handed over by Jean white hill and George Dolben, the Englishmen deputed by Mr. Jean Pybus, the head of the English settlement in Masulipatam to Mr. Yoan Yacques Panon, French Commissioner deputed by Jean Law de Lauriston the then Governor General of Pondicherry, for taking them over. This document mentions that France entered into possession of Yanam and its dependent territories with exemption from all export and import duties. Soon after taking possession of this settlement, Mr. Panon obtained a firman for full liberty of trade commerce of the French in Yanam.

Preceded by French East India Company

First British Occupation of Yanaon (Seven Years War) 1758–1765

Succeeded by French East India Company

Second British Occupation

Once again French lost control over Yanam to the British. During 1793 and 1816 Pondicherry was under British control. So, Yanam fell thrice into the hands of the British. After the Napoleonic wars, by the Treaty of Paris (1814) Yanam along with the factory at Machilipatnam was finally returned to the French on 26 September 1816. From then it was continuously under French control until its independence in 1954.

Preceded by French Colonial Empire

Final British Occupation of Yanaon (Napoleonic Wars) 1793–1816

Succeeded by French Colonial Empire

Municipal Administration in the Colonial Era

Though the French established colonies in India in the seventeenth century itself, it was not until the end of the 19th century that they started civil administration in French India.

French Metropolitan Decree

A French Metropolitan Decree, dated 12 March 1880 adopted a six-year term of office for Mayors (Maire), municipal councillors (Conseil municipaux) and commune panchayats (communes). Thus French India has seen a French system of municipal administration. In the past, municipal administration was virtually the pivot of the whole administrative machinery in French India. It had several features that could serve as a role model for hassle-free administration.
Then a total of 10 communes were formed in which Yanaon became one commune with a strength of 12 Municipal Councillors (conseillers municipaux). The first elections were held on 30 May 1880.

Structure of the Municipality

La Mairie (Town Hall) in Yanaon is now called as Municipality Building. It was built in 19th century and is situated next to Court House in the Thiagaraja Street in Yanaon Town. During French colonial rule, Yanam Municipality had 12 Sièges. Then, they were called previously as Sièges instead of wards. Each ward is represented by a municipal councilor. Each commune possesses a Mayor and a Municipal council (Conseil Municipal) that manage the commune from the Mairie. The life-span of a Municipal council will be 6 six years with one half of the membership renewed for every 3 years.

Election Results of 1948

Elections held on 24 October 1948 and 18 October 1954 are most crucial in the history of French India. In June 1948 the French and Indian Governments came to an agreement as to how the future of the French Settlements should be determined.
Municipal elections were held in Pondicherry, Karikal and Yanam on 24 October 1948. The two main parties were the French India Socialist Party (Socialists), who favoured the continuance of French rule, and the French India Congress (Congress), who favoured union with India. Socialist Party was headed by Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu and Congress Party was headed by Yerra Jaganatha Rao.

De Facto Transfer

Yanam remained under French control till June 13, 1954, when it joined the Republic of India by Indian military action. On November 1, 1954, after long years of freedom struggle the de facto transfer (Vāstavikāntaraṇa) of the four enclaves of Pondicherry, Yanam, Mahe, and Karikal to the Indian Union was occurred.
The Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru had visited Pondicherry on 16 January 1955. Messrs Edouard Goubert, S. Perumal, Dadala and Sri Pakirisamy Pillai presented addresses to Pandit Nehru in a public meeting in the maidan of Gorimedu.

Treaty of Cession

A treaty of cession was signed by the two countries on 28 May 1956.The de jure transfer was delayed until the end of the Algerian War. The treaty was ratified by the French parliament in May 1962. On August 16, 1962 (De Jure Day) India and France exchanged the instruments of ratification under which France ceded to India full sovereignty over the territories it held.

Special Administration Status

According to Traité de cession dated 1956, the four former French coloniesFrench as official language, etc. This is the most important article in the Traité de Cession, which ensures and safeguardes the personal interest of the people regarding their special administrative status. were assured of maintaining their special administrative status. That is why Pondicherry is the only Union Territory with some special provisions like Legislative Assembly,
The Article II of Traité de Cession states that,

• The Establishments will keep the benefit of the special administrative status in force prior to 1 November 1954. Any constitutional changes in this status which may be made subsequently shall be made after ascertaining the wishes of the people.

Merger in Pondicherry U.T

Puducherry and the other enclaves of Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam came to be administered as the Union Territory of Pondicherry from July 1, 1963.

French Nationality

After the liberation the French government offered citizenship to the people living in colonies of French India, i.e., Pondichéry, Mahé, Karikal and Yanaon. Actually, French law made it easy for thousands of colons, ethnic or national French from former colonies of North and East Africa, India and Indochina to live in mainland France. Nearly 50,000 Tamil people chose French nationality.
In Yanam some 10,000 people chose French nationality. Among those people, we find especially Kapus and Muslims who utilised it fruitfully. Today nearly 120 to 150 Telugu families live in France. Today still we can still find some French nationals who are taking French pension (In Telugu, Guddi Pinchanu) in Yanam.
Yanam French Peoples Association was formed and its president is Penupothu Suryanarayan. At present we can find 81 French nationals in Yanam.

Yanam is Now Tourism Spot

 View of Dhraksharama Road, Nalla Cheruvu

 

Mosque