Dupleix Statue, Puducherry
The Statue
of Joseph Francois Dupleix is situated in the beach road and housed in the
children’s park. Dupleix was an integral part of Pondicherry’s colonial past.
He was the governor of Pondicherry between 1742 and 1754. The 2.88 m tall
statue of Dupleix stands at the southern end of the park. Even though Dupleix
left Pondicherry in 1754, French recognition of his contribution came only in
1870, with the commissioning of two statues-one in Pondicherry and the other in
France. It was first installed on 16 July 1870. In 1979, the statue was moved
from its previous location, where Nehru Statue is standing today to the current
location at the beach.
Dupleix
is represented as a man of commanding stature. In the large nose and massive
under jaw, some resemblance may be traced to Oliver Oromwel as commonly
represented in his portraits. In the statue, Dupleix wears a Curt dress with
bag wig and long riding boots; In his right hand is a plan of Puducherry, his
left reposing on the hilt of his sword. Apart from two small stone elephants
who stand near to him there is a smaller monument to Victor Schœlcher
(1804-1893). This Man was a French slavery abolitionist.
This
statue has been constructed over granite columns at Place du République. Restoration
of the Dupleix statue was undertaken by the Public Works Department (PWD) of
the government of Puducherry in 2014.
Joseph
François Dupleix – Life History
For brief details, please refer below link;
Connectivity
Dupleix Statue is located towards the southern end of
the Goubert Avenue / Beach Road. The Statue is located at about 700 meters from
Puducherry Railway Station, 1 Km from Government Hospital Bus Stop, 1 Km from
Chinna Kadai Bus Stop, 2.5 Kms from Puducherry Main Bus Stand, 6 Kms from
Puducherry Airport and 150 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Statue is situated on
Pondicherry Bus Stand to JIPMER (Gorimedu) Bus Route. Tourists can get down at
Government Hospital Bus Stop / Chinna Kadai Bus Stop / Bussy Street Bus Stop.
The Statue is located at a walkable distance from these Bus Stops and
Puducherry Railway Station. Taxis and Autos are also available to reach this
Statue from any part of Puducherry. Nearest Railway Station is located at
Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at Puducherry and Chennai.
Location
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