François Martin (Pondicherry)

From Bharatpedia, an open encyclopedia

François Martin (1634– octobre 1706) was the first Governor General of Pondicherry. In 1673, Sher Khan Lodi, the governor of Valokondapuranam under the sultan of Bijapur granted Francois Martin, director of the Masulipatnam lodge, a site for a settlement. A shrewd and able administrator, he founded Pondicherry, the future capital of French India in 1674. He is known as the Father of Puducherry.[1]

He was Commissioner of French East India Company before holding this post and was preceded by François Baron and succeeded by Pierre Dulivier. His Mémoires provide an accurate account of early French settlements in India. There is a street named after François Martin in Pondicherry.

References[edit]

  1. Donald F. Lach, Edwin J. Van Kley, Asia in the Making of Europe, Volume III: A Century of Advance (1998), p. 258.

Titles[edit]

Government offices
Preceded by
François Baron
Commissioner of French India
(Acting)

1681 – October 1693
Succeeded by
Dutch Occupation
(September 1693-September 1699)
Preceded by
Dutch Occupation
(September 1693-September 1699)
Governor-General of French India
September 1699 – 31 December 1706
Succeeded by
Pierre Dulivier