Chandernagore by Shoilendra Nath Sen [Hardcover]

The former French colony of Chandernagore lies close to Kolkata. This city has undergone numerous transformations—its history is a fascinating journey from being a revolutionary hub against British rule to a French settlement. Professor Shailendranath Sen has meticulously gathered a wealth of lesser-known information about Chandernagore’s history from various French and Indian sources. He has also unearthed invaluable historical insights from the personal papers of Devendranath Das, one of Chandernagore’s prominent political figures. With a commitment to factual accuracy, the author vividly narrates the struggles of Chandernagore’s people against French rule. The book situates Chandernagore’s story within the broader context of other French colonies like Pondicherry. It was the result of Chandernagore’s non-violent struggle that led to a peaceful referendum in 1949—the first-ever plebiscite in independent India. Chandernagore: French Rule and Its End is a high-caliber research work, offering an invaluable contribution to the study of West Bengal’s history.