French India
Quick reference
General issues: French colony 1892-1954
Country name on general issues: Etablissements de l’Inde, Inde Fçaise, Etablissements Français dans l’Inde
Currency: 1 Franc = 100 Centimes 1892-1923, 1 Rupee = 8 Fanon, 1 Fanon = 24 Caches 1923-1954
Population: 332 000 in 1948
Political history French India
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French India is a French colony located in India, southern Asia. The first French settlements in India go back to the 17th century. Initially, French interest in India is purely economically motivated, later political motives come into play. French influence is at its peak in the 18th century. However, in the struggle for power in India, France is defeated by Great Britain. The Napoleonic wars in the late 18th and early 19th century put an end to the French ambitions in India. The French possessions are, since then, limited to the cities of Pondichéry, Karikal and Yanaon on the east coast, Mahé on the west coast and Chandernagor in Bengal. After Indian independence in 1947, Chandernagor is transferred to India in 1950, the other settlements in 1954.
Postal history French India
1929 – God Shiva
The first stamps used in French India are the general issues for the French colonies as of 1859. The first stamps specifically issued for French India date from 1892. The French India stamps were only used for mail to France and French possessions. British India had offices abroad in all of the French settlements in India. The British Indian mail was responsible for the inland mail in the French settlements and the mail to British India. In 1954, the stamps of French India are superseded by those of India.
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