Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion
Located on the Ranga Pillai Street, opposite the Grand Bazaar, Ananda Ranga Pillai is one of the most ancient heritage buildings of Pondicherry. Built in 1735, the house was named after the courtier Ananda Ranga Pillai, of the French Governor- Joseph Francois Dupleix.
Also known as the Native Quarters, the privately occupied mansion is among the handful of buildings known to have survived the British invasion. The mansion boasts marvelous architecture which is a striking amalgamation of the Indian and Gothic styles.
However, as of now, only the ground floor is accessible to tourists which has been constructed in traditional Tamil style with an elaborate courtyard and carved wooden pillars in Chettinad style. The spacious courtyard also houses a magnificent statue of the namesake personality. Built in a European style pattern with an open terrace and native French patterns, the first floor is personal and not open to tourists.
The house is currently occupied by the descendants of Ananda Pillai and if you get lucky to find any of the housemates during your visit, you can also get a detailed tour of the place. Resonating with history and heritage, the Manor is one of the most beautiful places in the city.
History of Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion
The most prominent heritage monument located in Pondicherry is the Ananda Ranga Pillai House which has bundles of events and stories from 17th-century French India. Historians record that the contribution of Ananda Ranga Pillai to know about 17th Century South India is a priceless work brought out to the world in the form of short descriptions in his diaries.
The most popular Dubash, that is, the official translator and the commercial representative of the French Government, Ananda Ranga Pillai was found to be the most influential person in Pondicherry. His proximity to the French Governor Joseph Francois Duplex is highlighted in history who favored him in various appointments throughout his tenure in India.
Ananda Ranga Pillai also has recorded in his diaries that the period of Joseph Francois Duplex's Governance was the golden period of the French Government in Pondicherry after whose departure to France, corruption, and mismanagement plagued throughout Pondicherry, spoiling the systems to a greater extent.
Besides his post as Chief Dubash in French Government, Ananda Ranga Pillai had his trading in cloth, yarn, indigo, and other products with many countries. Indeed he had his ship named “Ananda Puravi”, which sailed on long business voyages to other countries. However, Ananda Ranga Pillai got his health deteriorated during the last decade of his life and coincidentally, the expansion plans of the French Government met with failures as they lost with the British in the wars. The fortune of the French Government declined rapidly and so the Ananda Ranga Pillai's.
With increased intensity, he was frequently troubled by poor health. By 1756, his health had deteriorated to such an extent that the Governor-General Georges Duval de Leyrit was obliged to remove him from service. On 12th January 1761, he left this world but his notes on his diaries will live forever. For his contribution through his diaries which has led many historians and researchers to know more about South India, he is acclaimed as “Pepys of French India”.
Architecture of Ananda Ranga Pillai Mansion
The palatial residence of Ananda Ranga Pillai which has survived the invasion of the British is recognized as a heritage monument by the Government of Pondicherry and the street is named after him. The ground floor is built in the Indian architecture style and the first floor is built reflecting the French architecture.
Blended with the Dravidian and French architecture, the residence of Ananda Ranga Pillai is worth a visit during your trip to Pondicherry.
