Yanam

Yanam
Nickname:  French Yanam
Country	India
Union Territory	Pondicherry
District	Yanam
Language	Telugu, French
Population  (2001)
• Total	32,362
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)

Location of Yanam

Yanam or Yanaon is a district of the Union territory of Pondicherry and a town in that 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.

Geography and climate

Lat: 16°42'N - 16°46'N; Lon: 82°11'E - 82°19'E. Temperatures in Yanam range from 27°C to 45°C in summer and 17°C to 28°C in winter. In the hot season humidity rates vary between 68% and 80%. The district lies in the delta of Godavari River, the town is situated where the river meets its tributary Koringa River (Coringa River), 9 kilometers from the Bay of Bengal in the Coromandel coast.

Demographics

As of 2001 India censusTemplate:GR, 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.

Population centres

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.

General statistics

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

See also: French India

Colonial Yanaon

In 1723, Yanam was the third French colony established in India though it was officially confirmed on 1751. It is mentioned in the book, The botanic garden of Yanam (Le Jardin Botanique de Yanaon) by Médecin-colonel Alfred-Alphonse-Léon Bigot (Colonel A. Bigot), that at first, the French establishment of a warehouse here in 1723 A.D. the La Compagnie des Française Indes Orientales of France established here a trading post of theirs. In 1724, Asaf Jah I, governor of Hyderabad, declared his independence from the disintegrating Mughal Empire, claiming the title of Nizam al Mulk of Hyderabad. Asaf ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat Jang, the son of the Nizam al Mulk, who was indebted for his elevation to the throne to the French East India Company, granted the district of Kondavid or Guntur to the French in return for their services, and soon afterwards the other Circars. A `firman' was issued by the Mughal emperor, confirming all the concessions made to the French by Salabat Jang, the Subedar of Deccan. These concessions were in the shape of the donations and the name `Inam'(Gift) was changed into Yanam (Yanaon) by the French in the course of time.

People say that this region was presented to the French general the Marquis de Bussy, by Vizianagaram King Pusapati Peda Vijaya Rama Raju as 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.

Since the business became slack and commercial operations had not produced the desired results, Yanam was given up in 1727. Because between 1720 and 1741, the objectives of the French were principally commercial.

In the west of Yanam, we can find `Neelikundilu' (Indigo wells). People say that the Dutch constructed a fort here and it is called by locals as 'saali kota'. In this fort, they used to keep their currency, minted in the mint at Neelapalli, a nearby village.

Actually it was seized again by Dupleix in 1731 during the time of Pierre Benoît Dumas the then Governor General of French Establishments of India. A firman from Haji Hassan Khan authorized the French Representative Fouquet, then chief of the Company at Machilipatnam to set up a 'loge' at Yanam in the year 1731. Nawab Roustoum khan granted a firman dated 1735 for French commerce in Yanam. 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. All factories were fortified for the purpose of defence. Mr. De Choisis administered it. He died here on 27 October 1747. Monsieur Sinfray succeeded him. The annual rent was waived off by a document in 1743 for Yanam. Mir Mohamed Ali Khan Walajan, Nawab of Arcot, granted all the rights on the lands situated before the quarters at Yanam in 1747. Unfortunately necessary details are not available for this period i.e. from 1723 to 1750. Muhyi ad-Din Muzaffar Jang Hidayat, Nizam of Hyderabad (1750-1751), confirmed the sovereignty of this territory in 1750 to the French.

In 1753, a firman of Asif ad-Dawlah Mir Ali Salabat Jang, Subedar of Deccan conceded to Bussy the paraganas of Chicacole, Ellore, Rajahmundry etc. with an annual revenue RS.2, 00,000 for the maintenance of the French troops in the Subah in recognition of the help of these Circars amounted up to 10 lakhs of Rupees per year. Bussy helped Salabat Jang to be the Subedar of Deccan. 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.

There is again a dearth of information regarding this place from 1753 to 1765. 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. Later Nizam rebelled against the English. A second treaty was the result of war and Northern Circars remained permanently under the control of the British. After 1760 the French lost hold in South India, especially on Northern Circars. In 1765 Lord Robert Clive, the then existing Chief and Council at Vizagapatam obtained from the Mughal emperor Shah Alam a grant of the five 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 from the ruler of Rajahmundry granting the French full liberty of trade at Yanam and another one from the Nawab Mir Nizam Ali Khan Bahadur (Asaf Jah II) calling upon the Zamindars of the Circar Mustafanagar not to hinder the commerce of the French.

Yanam was situated in the province of Peddapuram in the jurisdiction of Sri Raja Vatsavaya Kala Thimma Jagapathi Bahadhoor (Timma Raja). The French had a modest building here situated a league from the sea, on the Coringa river into which small vessels could enter.

The documents of 1765 throw light on a dispute of a weekly market or fair in Yanam. A weekly market used to be held here on every Tuesday (Even now market occurs in Yanam on this Tuesday only). People used to come to it for purchasing all their essential commodities once for a week. Neelapalli (Nélapilly), a neighbouring village of Yanam was under the British at that time. It is nearly 3 km away from Yanam. The people in this village also used to hold a fair on Tuesday. Thus there was a clash of interests between Yanam and Neelapalli. After prolonged correspondence with the English authorities at Madras, the French authorities in Yanam succeeded in changing the fair of Neelapalli to another day of the week, Saturday. In this way, Yanam triumphed over its neighbouring village Neelapalli.

Between 1778 and 1783, Pondicherry was under British occupation. There is again lack of information because of its subsequent English occupation. Yanam was restored again to the French in 1785. Mr. Mallhendre took possession of it and Mr. Bluter succeeded him. It was recommended to them to favor the business of the French East India Company and to protect the interest of some specified merchants.

After Bluter, Mr. Pierre Sonnerat (August 18, 1748 – March 31, 1814) became the chief in 1790 in Yanam. He was a scholar. He had a profound interest in Natural Sciences. He wrote a book "VOYAGE AUX INDES ORIENTALES ET À LA CHINE” in 3 volumes. He appreciated very much the sonority and the music of the Telugu language. He administered Yanam during the time of the French Revolution.

The French Revolution had its effects in different ways in all the former French settlements. The French trade at Yanam was considerable at that time. Jean Law de Lauriston, Governor of Pondicherry (1765-1766) stated in his "Memoire of 1767" as “It is from Yanam that we get our best ‘guiness’ (fine cloth). It is possible to have a commerce here worth more than a million livres per year under circumstances more favorable than those in which we are placed now, but always by giving advances much earlier, which we have never been in a position to do. From this place we also procured teakwood, oils, rice and other grains both for the men as well as for the animals. A port from commerce, Yanam enjoyed another kind of importance. The advantages which may be derived in a time of war from the alliances that we the French may conclude with several Rajas who sooner or later cannot fail to be dissatisfied with the English. Although the English gained an effective control over the Circars, Yanam enabled the French to enter into secret relations with the local chieftains. Yanam had some commercial importance”.

It was a centre for the production of salt and this salt constituted the major part of the quantity imported by the French into Bengal region. It was also an important center of cotton goods and supplied a large part of the return cargo of the French ships visiting India. A few French citizens in Yanam were fully occupied by these two kinds of profitable business and they had no interest in political and administrative matters that were left entirely to the chief or commandant. Indian residents wanted nothing better than to be left in peace to carry on their trading activities.

Mr. Pierre Sonnerat, Chief of Yanam, was involved in this business along with other traders. His commercial involvement brought serious consequences to his administrative post. The petitions were made against him in this connection, to the Chevalier de Fresne the then French Governor in Pondicherry. On 5 June 1790 a Frenchman called De Mars complained about him for the first time.

By that time, Pondicherry under the influence of the French Revolution had already formed the first representative committee. But no action was taken in favor of De Mars either by the Governor or by this committee. Naturally, the French citizens in Yanam were disinterested in the affairs of Pondicherry owing to his failure.

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 the control of French till it got independence.

Cession of Yanam (13 June 1954)

Main article: Coup d'État de Yanaon

Actually, Yanam had an extremely dominant pro-French atmosphere prevailing in its people and its leaders. But in due course of time due to nationalist struggle by some leaders, conditions became intolerable in Yanam after its mayor and other representatives of Yanam adopted the merger resolution. The mayor, deputy mayor, and over 200 people took refuge in the adjacent areas of the Indian Union. Police and hired hoodlums from Yanam assaulted refugees on Indian soil. It was then that the refugees marched into Yanam under the leadership of Dadala Raphael Ramanayya and aided by then Maire De Yanaon, Monsieur Madimchetty Satianarayanamourty alias Satia and took over the administration. After hoisting the Indian National Flag, they formed the revolutionary provisional government of Yanam headed by Dadala Raphael Ramanayya and adopted a resolution declaring "Yanaon A Libéré" (Yanam liberated). The coup d’etat of Yanam was announced by All India Radio and Press.

Aftermath Liberation

The Yanam, coup d’etat had enraged the French authorities of pondicherry. Rumours were spread to the effect that the French government were despatching a cruiser to Yanam to capture Merger Leaders and to re-establish their authority. After the Coup, last administrator of Yanam, George Sala was recalled by André Ménard, then Governor General of Pondicherry in June 1954.

Dadala was also appointed as Acting Commisoner for Yanam for 14 Days. Towards the end of June 1954, Sri Kewal singh paid a visit to Yanam and requested Dadala's return to Pondicherry to continue his activities there. On 3 July, on Kewal Singh’s request, Dadala left Yanam, after making all arrangements for its proper administration.

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 four enclaves of Pondicherry, Yanam, Mahe, and Karikal were de facto transferred to the Indian Union.

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 in 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.

De jure transfer

Treaty of cession was signed by the two countries in May 1956 was ratified by the French parliament in May 1962. On August 16 1962 India and France exchanged the instruments of ratification under which France ceded to India full sovereignty over the territories it held.

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

Aftermath the liberation 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 find some 60 French nationals who are taking French Pension (In Telugu, Guddi Pinchanu) in yanam.

The Court House in Yanam

The Court building is situated in a very ancient white monument building of French architect It is called as “Court House” and located at Thiagaraja Street, Yanam to the next of Municipality building. The building consists of two floors. The ground floor is the court and the first floor is the residential quarters of the Judge. The building was renovated in the year of 1967 and inaugurated by Thiru S.L. Silam, the then Hon’ble Lt. Governor of Pondicherry.

History

Dutch

Yanam Judicial Magistrate Court is a very ancient court formed prior to the French domain i.e. before 1725 while Yanam was as a Dutch Colony. The Judicial Magistrate Court was existing then.

French

Subsequently while this area came under the French on the reorganization of French domain in the year 1725 the same court has been converted as French Court under French Law as a Judicial Court. Both civil and criminal cases tried here.

Indian

After Independence, this court was converted as an Indian Court as a Judicial Magistrate Court, Yanam in the year 1956, whereas, the Regional Administrative Officer of Yanam was the Judge of the court having both executive and judicial powers on civil and criminal cases.

Aftermath Bifurcation

After bifurcation of the judiciary, this court came under a separate Judicial Department of Government of Puducherry and under the administration of the Hon’ble High Court, Madras and it was termed as Judicial First Class Magistrate Court cum District Munsif Court.Subsequently under the reform by the Hon’ble High Court, Madras, the Yanam was upgraded to that of Subordinate Judge (Civil Judge-Senior Division)/Assistant Sessions Judge cum Judicial Magistrate of I Class in the year 2000. Now because of this upgradation, all the civil cases upto the pecuniary jurisdiction of Rs.5.00 Lakhs are tirable by this court, in criminal side, this court has got jurisdiction to try all cases upto 307 IPC except cases having death sentence. Further this court is empowered to deal with the motor accident claims, family cases, LAOPs( Land Acquisition of Puducherry) , etc.

Present Situation

The Judge of Yanam Court is the Chairman of the Taluk Legal Services Committee of Yanam. Taluk Legal Services Committee is having its members and a regular duty advocate will be periodically posted for attending the grievances of the litigants.

The staff strength of the Yanam court consists of 1 Sarishtadar, 1 Stenographer, 1 Senior Clerk, 2 Junior Clerks, 2 Copyists/Attendars and 3 Peons.

The present Hon’ble High Court Judge of Madras Thiru G. Rajasuriya had also served here as Judicial Magistrate, in the year 1982 and 1983.

Even the records from the year 1900 are available in the record section of this court.

Famous people in colonial Yanaon

First Laurel Poet of Andhra, Chellapilla Venkata Kavi (1870-1950), One of the duo of the famous Tirupati Venkata Kavulu lived here. Many poets such as the late Villa Reddi Naidu, V.Venkataswami Naidu. Some important politicians include Kanakala Tatayya Naidou and Md. Abdul Razzaq.

Monsieur Samatam Krouschnaya (Samatam Krishnayya) lived here in Yanam and wrote many books in Telugu. Monsieur Samatam was a pro-French activist. He was Acting Mayor of Yanaon during merger struggle and he was a person of great and unique qualities. He was a poet, historian and even an ayurvedic doctor too. He was killed by Indian military while Yanam being seized during Coup d'État de Yanaon. He died saying "Vive la France". At that time his age is 78. Had he was alive when the coup happened, Yanaon still would have exist as French colony. It is still a controversy whether really Indian military killed him or his enemies (who joined Indian side) killed him.

A prominent leader who was instrumental in the merger of Yanam into the Indian Union was Monsieur Dadala Rafael Ramanayya. He was born in Farampeta and grew up from humble origins to become a forefront leader of the liberation of Yanam. He was appointed as Interim Commissioner to look after excise affairs in Yanaon after its independence up to June 29 1963, until before its merger into the Union Territory of Pondicherry on July 1 1963. Today his statue stands tall in the middle of the town square in reverence to the sacrifices he made for acquiring freedom from the French rule.

Famous politician of Yanam in early 20th century, Bezawada Bapa Naidou (former Maire De Yanaon), was a humble and powerful politician in his times. Unfortunately, he was murdered in Pondicherry. It was a mystery about the accused for his death. After his death his faction became weak and even his siblings were also not able to continue in Yanam politics as he did.

One of Bapa Naidou's 7 councillors in the "Conseil Municipal de Yanaon" was Monsieur Diwan Bouloussou Soubramaniam Sastroulou (Former Conseiller Municipal de Yanaon). He was very prominent personality and loyal follower of Bapa Naidou. Monsieur Diwan Bouloussou S Sastroulou had been one of "Les jurys de Yanaon" and even he worked as Diwan for "Manyam Zamindar" before being elected as Councilor. He was one of the very rare genuine and humble politicians of his time. His fame was so high that every Pondicherry Governor General who came to Yanam, used to visit his house. Monsieur Bouloussou S Sastroulou died in September 13 1941. His elder son Bulusu Jagannatha Sastry was one of the most educated (passed out from Jadavpur University) and highly qualified persons who lived in Yanam at that time. However he was completely out of political affairs in Yanam, thereby putting an end to the family of the Bouloussou's influence in Yanam politics.

Bezawada Bapa Naidou's bitter opponent The Grand Old Man of Yanam, Kamichetty Venugopala Rao Naidou (former Maire de Yanaon) was also a famous leader and had been active in politics in French Yanaon. After death of Bapa Naidou, he became Mayor of Yanam (Maire de Yanaon) and even his family became very dominant in Yanam politics for at least 50 years thence.

Venugopala Rao Naidou's son Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu (Former MLA and Speaker, Pondicherry) dominated Yanam politics after its independence for almost four decades. He was elected as MLA more than five times and even had been speaker for Pondicherry. He was a very influential figure in Yanam politics until his death.

Trivia

• It was previously also called as kalyanapuram. Because many Telugu people from Surrounding areas of Madras Presidency used to visit Yanam and used to do marriages (mainly Child marriage) here since French government does not oppose child marriages in French Establishments of India.

• In 1885, Yanam population was 4,266 and in 1936, it was just 5,220.

• Last administrator of Yanam was George Sala. After the Coup d'Etat de Yanaon, he was recalled by André Ménard, then Governor General of Pondicherry in June 1954.

• Last Mayor of Yanam
  • Maddimchetty Satianandam (De jure)
  • Samatam Krouschnaya (De facto) - Acting Mayor

• Coup d'État de Yanaon was occurred in 13 June 1954, Sunday.

See also

• Causes for Liberation of French colonies in India
• Municipal Administration in French India
• Pondicherry Municipality
• Yanam Municipality
• French East India Company
• Coup d'État de Yanaon
• French colonial empire
• French India

External links

• District website
• Pravasandhrulu in France: identity and integration by Jonnalagadda Anuradha, France
• Official website of the Government of the Union Territory of Pondicherry
• Indian Ministry for External Affairs - 1956 Treaty of Cession