About Chandernagore

    Chandernagore Municipal Corporation is located on the banks of River Ganga surrounded by Chinsura in the north, Bhadreshwar in the south, Hooghly River to its east and Dhaniyakhali in the West. Chandernagore Municipal Corporation covers an areas of 22.03 km² with latitude of 22°37'N and longitude of 88°38'E.
    It is located in the northern side of Kolkata Metropolitan Area. It is connected by road via G.T. Road or Delhi Road from Kolkata and also through local trains from Howrah- Burdwan Easter Railway and it takes around 50-55 minutes in all stop local trains to reach Chandernagore. Chandernagore is only 40km by road from Kolkata Airport. It can also be reached by Water transport (ferry Service through Ranighat). Government of West Bengal operates river services at a very nominal rate.
    Chandernagore, is a town with a unique colonial heritage. Chandernagore was a French colony for more than 250 years, unlike the more widely known British settlements, making it an important outpost of France's imperial ambitions in India. Its history reflects a blend of European politics, colonial rivalry, and Indian nationalist struggle.
In 1673, the French East India Company obtained permission from Ibrahim Khan (Shaista Khan), the then-Mughal Subahdar (Governor) of Bengal, to establish a trading post in Chandernagore. The site was strategically located on the Hooghly River, offering easy access to the Bay of Bengal and facilitating trade in textiles, indigo, and saltpetre.

While the French had established a presence in Chandernagore earlier, it was in 1688 that the settlement was formally recognized as a French colony. François Martin, who played a significant role in developing French settlements in India, was instrumental in the administration of such colonies. By the early 18th century, it had developed into a prosperous town, rivalling nearby British-controlled Calcutta in terms of trade and wealth.
Chandernagore's fortunes were closely associated with the dynamics of colonial rivalry of European, particularly between Britain and France.The British East India Company, under Robert Clive and Admiral Charles Watson, captured Chandernagore on 23 March 1757 after the Seven Years' of battle. This event preceded the Battle of Plassey, which occurred on 23 June 1757.

Under the Treaty of Paris (1763), France regained control of Chandernagore, though it never regained its former influence.The British re-occupied the town during the Napoleonic Wars in 1794 and again returned it to France in 1816 after the wars ended. These interruptions stunted Chandernagore's growth and led to a gradual decline in its commercial significance. Despite political instability, Chandernagore emerged as a cultural and intellectual hub in the 19th and early 20th centuries.The town was known for its French-style architecture, cobbled streets, and riverfront promenade, much of which survives even today.

After Indian independence in 1947, Chandernagore remained under French administration, while other parts of Bengal became part of the Indian Union. A rising nationalist movement, supported by local leaders like Harihar Seth and Charu Chandra Ray, demanded a merger with India.A plebiscite held on 19 June 1949 resulted in 97% of the population voting in favour of merging with India. The de facto transfer of administration occurred on 2 May 1950. The de jure transfer was formalized on 9 June 1952. Chandernagore was integrated into the state of West Bengal on 2 October 1954.

Today, Chandernagore retains traces of its French colonial legacy through:
The Sacred Heart Church, The French Institute (Institut de Chandernagore), Colonial-era mansions and government buildings.
It hosts the Jagaddhatri Puja, a festival that showcases rivals strong local culture. Efforts to preserve Chandernagore's heritage are ongoing, with initiatives from both Indian and French organizations aimed at restoring historic buildings and promoting tourism.

Chandernagore's history is a testament to the complex layers of colonial interaction in India. As a French colonial outpost in a largely British-dominated landscape, it offers a unique perspective on India's journey through colonialism, cultural exchange, and eventual independence. Its architecture and cultural institutions continue to reflect a blend of European and Indian influences, making it a distinctive chapter in the broader history of India's colonial past.

Chandernagore Municipal Corporation:
From Past to Present - Historical Background Chandernagore, located on the western bank of the Hooghly River, was part of French India. It was governed separately from British territories until the mid-20th century.

. 1673: The French East India Company set up a trading post in Chandernagore with permission from the Mughal governor.
. 1688: Chandernagore was officially established as a French colony.
. 19th Century: As urbanization began, the need for structured civic administration emerged.
Establishment of the Municipality (1880) . 1880: The Chandernagore Municipality was created under French rule, making it one of the earliest examples of a self-governed municipality in colonial India.
. It had an elected council, mayor (maire), and administrative officers.
. Responsibilities included sanitation, water supply, street maintenance, and local governance.
. The municipality functioned under the Governor of French India, based in Pondicherry.
Transition After Independence . After India gained independence in 1947, Chandernagore remained under French control.
. A plebiscite in 1949 showed that residents favoured integration with India.
. May 2, 1950: Chandernagore was merged de facto with India.
. October 2, 1954: It was formally integrated into the state of West Bengal.
During this transitional phase, the municipal structure was retained but gradually aligned with Indian laws and governance models.

Formation of the Municipal Corporation (1994) . In response to urban growth and rising civic needs, Chandernagore Municipality was upgraded to a Municipal Corporation in30th December1994 by The Chandernagore Municipal Corporation Act, 1990 (West Bengal Act xxxii of 1990).
. At present the Corporation is governed as perThe West Bengal Municipal Corporation Act, 2006 (W.B. Act XXXIX of 2006).
Present-Day Structure of CMC The Chandernagore Municipal Corporation (CMC) is governed by: -
. Mayor (head of the civic body)
. Deputy Mayor
. Board of Councillors, elected from 33 wards. It operates under the mayor-in-Council system.

Key Initiatives and Projects : -
In recent years, CMC has taken several steps to modernise and beautify the city:
. Restoration of French-era buildings
. Development of the Strand promenade and riverfront
. To restore the biodiversity and to keep the pristine environment declaration of a 'Green Zone'in the Strand Promenade
. Introduction of solid waste segregation, sanitation drives, and public health awareness
. Participation in state and central government schemes, including Smart City initiatives.