city and capital of Puducherry (Pondicherry) union territory, southeastern India. The city constitutes an enclave surrounded by Tamil Nadu (Tamil Nādu) state, on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, 105 miles (170 km) south of Chennai (Madras). It originated as a French trade centre in 1674, when it was purchased from a local ruler. Now a seaside tourist resort, Puducherry contains the Hindu ashram (religious retreat) of Sri Aurobindo, now an international study centre, and several colleges affiliated with the University of Madras (Madras, University of). The colony of Pondicherry (now Puducherry) was the scene of frequent fighting between the French and Dutch in the late 17th century, and by 1761 the British had driven the French from the region. Pop. (2001) 220,865; urban agglom., 505,959.