Q. With reference to Pondicherry (now Puducherry), consider the following statements:

1. The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese.
2. The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French.
3. The English never occupied Pondicherry.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2010)
Answer: 3 only
Notes: Pondicherry (Puducherry) was first occupied by the Dutch in 1677, not the Portuguese, making statement 1 incorrect. The French captured it from the Dutch and retained control multiple times, but other European powers had brief influence, so statement 2 is partially inaccurate. Crucially, the English never occupied Pondicherry; it remained French territory post-1816 Treaty of Paris until 1954. Therefore, only statement 3 is correct.