An Assistant Professor and 15 students from the Department of History in Tagore Arts College in association with the Department of Arts and Science have been engaged for the past week in excavating the remains of an 18th century fort in Bharathi Park here.
Ravichandirane P., Assistant Professor, History Department, Tagore Arts College, said that after the French received the Puducherry region from the Dutch, they constructed a fort named Louis in 1700 and raised a huge wall around the city.
In retospect
“During the Carnatic war in 1760s, the English defeated the French and razed down the fort. Later, the French established a harbour and lighthouse with Aayi Mandapam in the middle. In the 1950s, the Government of Puducherry established a park in the name of Bharathi,” he informed.
Explaining that it was a trial to identify the fort wall and foundation, S. Ganessin, Director, Department of Art and Culture, said that Mr. Ravichandirane approached him stating that the remains of Fort Louis could be found if excavation was carried out in Bharathi Park. “In order to identify the remains, we started a trial to excavate a small portion of Bharathi Park close to the Perumal Temple. After the initial work is complete the team will approach the Archaeology Department to get permission for urther excavation,” he said.
