Pondicherry Museum, Colonial museum in Puducherry, India
Pondicherry Museum is housed in a former Law Building from 1788, featuring yellow and peach-colored walls with large stone statues displayed in the entrance and courtyard. The collection contains more than 80 bronze sculptures from the Chola period, stone carvings from Pallava times, and furniture reflecting French colonial influence.
The building itself dates to 1788 and served as the seat of French courts in the region for many years. The displayed artifacts largely come from Arikamedu, an ancient trading port that once connected Rome, Indian kingdoms, and French merchants.
The collection reflects French colonial presence through household items and decorative pieces that shaped local living styles. These objects show how European and Indian traditions merged in homes throughout the town.
Plan to spend a focused visit exploring the compact galleries that display sculptures and ceramics from different periods on foot. The building itself merits attention as it exemplifies French colonial architecture found throughout the town.
The museum holds three historical transportation devices: a traditional Indian palanquin, a French colonial carriage, and an original rickshaw that illustrate how people moved through the town. These pieces offer an unexpected glimpse into daily mobility during French rule.
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