Pondicherry, now officially known as Puducherry, occupies a distinctive place in the history of Indian urbanisation due to its unique colonial heritage, planned urban structure, cultural diversity, and interaction between European and Indian traditions. Located on the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu, the city developed as a major French colonial settlement and represents a different pattern of urban growth compared to many other Indian cities. Its evolution reflects the influence of colonial planning, maritime trade, administrative functions, and cultural exchanges, making it an important example for understanding urbanisation in India. The origin of Pondicherry as an urban centre is closely associated with European colonial expansion. The French East India Company established its base at Pondicherry in the seventeenth century, and gradually it became the administrative headquarters of French possessions in India. Unlike British colonial cities such as Kolkata, Mumbai, and Chennai, which developed primarily as commercial and administrative centres under British influence, Pondicherry retained a strong French character. The city was designed according to European planning principles, with a clear distinction between the colonial settlement and the native Indian settlement. One of the most significant features of Pondicherry’s urban structure is its planned layout. The city was divided into two major sections: the French Quarter, known as the Ville Blanche or White Town, and the Tamil Quarter, known as Ville Noire or Black Town. The French Quarter was characterised by wide streets, colonial buildings, government offices, churches, and residential areas built according to European architectural styles. In contrast, the Tamil Quarter developed with traditional Indian features, including narrow streets, courtyard houses, temples, and local neighbourhood structures. This dual structure represents the