Consider the following statements:

1. Dadra and Nagar Haveli which merged with the Indian Union in 1961 were ruled by the Portuguese.

2. Both Pondicherry and Chandernagore were ruled by the French.

3. Goa got its freedom in 1961.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Solution

• The Portuguese ruled Dadar and Nagar Haveli until its liberation in 1954. Subsequently, the administration was carried on till 1961 by an administrator chosen by the people themselves. It was converted into a union territory of India by the 10th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1961. • The territory of Puducherry comprises the former French establishments in India known as Puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. The French handed over this territory to India in 1954. - On 8th June 1948, the French government had an agreement with the Indian Government under which it declared that the people of the French colonies in India would have the right to choose their own future status. - The French government conducted a plebiscite on 19th June 1949 in which a whopping 97% of the people voted in favour of a merger with India. 7463 votes were received in favour of the merger and 114 against it. • India acquired Goa from the Portuguese by means of a police action in 1961. Hence A is the correct answer.