Exactly a year ago in the avenue of Champs Elysee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi graced the Bastille Day celebrations in France on July 14, 2023. The Prime Minister was on a state visit and shared the dais with then French President Emmanuel Macron. 

This was perhaps a reference point for many Indo-French observers to look at the distinct relation India shares with this European nation.

What is Bastille Day

Bastille Day is celebrated in France as the beginning of the French Revolution in which the Ancien Regime of the absolutist Bourbon monarchy was overthrown in favour of Republicanism. 

On July 14, 1789, the people of Paris broke the walls of Bastille Prison and freed the inmates. This was seen as the ultimate end of the power of monarchy. The Sans-culottes (middle class) of France along with the peasants and fishermen as well as the women of Paris shaped the momentous events of this day. 

Later, a National Assembly was set up which declared the Rights of Man and Citizen in August. It was here that we hear and see for the first-time the ideals of the French Republic-“Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité” (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity).

India and the French revolution

India, along with several other countries which underwent decolonisation took the slogan dearly. From the time of the British occupation, India was inspired by the French revolution. 

Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore in the late eighteenth century, is famous for planting the Tree of Liberty in his capital Seringapatam and calling himself  ‘Citizen Tipoo’. 

Later on, the Indian Constituent Assembly adopted the first few lines of the Preamble to India’s Constitution from the French Revolution. 

The Preamble grants the Liberty- of thoughts, expression, belief, faith and worship, Equality of – status and opportunity (to its citizens), and, to promote among them all, Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation.

The idea of Republic

By overthrowing its monarchy, the French broke the myth of the invincibility of monarchies across the world. While the Indian Republic was born as part of the process of decolonisation, we jostled with the idea of creating a functioning republic after living under monarchies for millennium. 

Republic means reserving the highest office of the state for an elected representative, symbolising governance by the people themselves. 

The Constituent Assembly on the Preamble began its debates in October 1949. Many members wanted the inclusion of ‘God’ or ‘Gandhi’ in the Preamble. 

Eventually, it was all negated in favour of the version submitted by the Drafting Committee of the Assembly. The idea of Equality was already codified by this time. Articles 14,15,16 and numerous others had reasonably demonstrated it.

For instance, India abolished titles (Article 18), introduced universal adult franchise (Article 326) and argued for equality with principles of equity as the Fundamental Rights of citizens (Articles 14, 15).

Secularism and Fraternity

The Indian Constitution makers took another lesson from France in terms of the idea of Secularism and Fraternity. However, it must be noted that secularism in India and France is not the absence of religion. 

In fact, after the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte realised that the French populace was deeply religious and that attacking the status of Church and confiscating their property had hurt the masses. 

Therefore, he ordered the creation of ‘Concordat’ that allowed for overseeing the power of the state over the affairs of the Church. It was a compromise which Napolean did to sustain religion within the State.

Secularism in Indian context is not the absence of religion altogether but presence of all sects and religion in equal terms. Hence, the state provides grants to all religious denominations. 

Puducherry’s French connection

The “La Compagnie française des Indes orientales” was established in Pondicherry in 1673. Before that Pondicherry was known for, among other things, a sixth-century Shaiva poet Punitavatiar alias Karaikkal Ammaiyar.

The integration of Pondicherry (now Puducherry) and its impression on the Indian constitution remains a neglected topic of discussion in the story of the Indian freedom struggle.

Pondicherry consisted of many enclaves, i e. Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam, Chandranagore, etc. All of these enclaves were in constant struggle with British mercantilists. 

Having fought a series of three Carnatic wars with the British (1740-63), the French were reduced to protectorate states in India under the British. Hence, India- French relations were a bit different than what we perceived of the Britishers.

The very first recorded bonhomie between Indians and French came up in the 1857 struggle. 

Pondicherry: Safe haven for freedom fighters

In his book L’Intermède français en Inde: Secousses politiques et mutations juridiques, David Annoussamy noted that at least 440 Indian residents of Pondicherry wrote to the Governor expressing their loyalty and belief in the French command.

This faith was further put in Pondicherry during the nationalist struggle. Pondicherry emerged to be a safe haven for numerous freedom fighters who came in conflict with the British laws. 

First such notable name happens to be Subramania Bharati. Accused of writing nationalist poems in his edited paper India, he sought asylum in Pondicherry. 

Other leaders followed suit and made French colonies a rescue point in their careers including Lala Lajpat Rai, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, C Rajaji. Aurobindo even made this French enclave his spiritual centre. 

Integration of Pondicherry

Resultantly, the integration of Pondicherry was not the same as other British-controlled territories in independent India.

The Congress Resolution of Jaipur, 1948 argued for peaceful integration of territories ruled by non-British colonial powers in India. 

This was a direct message to the Portuguese-controlled Goa, Daman-Diu, Dadra Nagar Haveli and French-controlled enclaves of Pondicherry.

Historians cite the defeat of the French in the Indo-China struggle in 1954 as the watershed moment.

Finally, a Treaty of Cessation or De facto treaty of Transfer of Power was signed between the Government of India and the Government of France in October 1954. From November 1, 1954, the Indian Government got physical hold of the French enclaves in India.

The 14th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1962 gave Pondicherry a distinct status of Union Territory with the State Assembly. The subsequent Union Territory Act of 1963, allowed the State Assembly to retain the French consulate and French language in the Official category list. 

France also happened to be among a few European helping hands to India when we were isolated post-Pokhran test, and not to forget it was the first European country to sign a civil nuclear deal with India.

Post Read Question

On July 14, France celebrates its National Day, also known as Bastille Day. What was Bastille?

The fall of Bastille is seen as the beginning of the French Revolution. Comment.

How did the French Revolution influence the world’s political and social landscape? 

Discuss the significance of the French Revolution for India. How did the Indo-French ties evolve since?

(Aakanksha Jha teaches at the Delhi University.)