The correct answer is All of these. Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam (also Pondicherry) were fighting over years against French rule, and were finally freed in 1954. The French settlement in India began in 1673 with the purchase of land at Chandernagore from the Governor of Bengal. Then next year they acquired Pondicherry from the Sultan of Bijapur. Both these centers became maritime commercial activities of the French in India. Joseph Francois Dupleix was initially appointed as Intendent of Chandernagore in 1731. He started the idea of colonization. ?He developed friendly relations with the Nawab of Bengal. ?France also got engaged in maritime commerce along with Pondicherry. In 1741 Dupleix was transferred to Pondicherry as Governor holding sway over the French areas in India. Pondicherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam were fighting over the years against French rule. Chandernagore raised its voice of protest only after the British decided to leave India by August 1947. In June 1948, they conducted a referendum in which an overwhelming majority of 97 per cent people opted for a merger with India. India finally was freed from France rule in 1954.