Urban Development in Pondicherry Under French Administration

The urban development in Pondicherry began with the outburst of war in 1676 A.D between Sher Khan Lodi and Nazir Muhammed. In the meanwhile Martin applied to his friend Sher Khan Lodi to give permission to entertain some native soldiers for the purposes of defence. Sher Khan not only assented to, but also made over to him three hundred of his own men. Martin entertained these men as soldiers, and made the settle down within his domain. Under the protection of Francois Martin, new villages like the Fishermen's village, Weavers' village, Textile painters' village, Coral polishers' village sprang up. Houses in the native area were built wall to wall with open space only at the rear. The pattern of houses were such as to afford a remarkable solution to the problem posed by the hot humid climate. The houses were built side by side in a row which protected the western and eastern sides of the house from direct sun leaving the two other sides (on the south and north) with small openings exposed to a large street that served as a wind funnel.&nbsp