पाँडिचेरी बाबत पुढील दोन विधानांपैकी कोणते खरे नाही ?
(a) सन 1761 व 1816 मध्ये पाँडिचेरीवर फ्रान्स व पोर्तुगालचे आलटून पालटून वर्चस्व होते.
(b) फ्रान्सने अंतिमतः 26 सप्टेंबर 1816 रोजी पाँडिचेरीवर आपली सत्ता स्थापित केली जी 31 ऑक्टोबर 1954 पर्यंत चालली.

The correct answer is Option A (Only (a)).

Key Points:
• History of Pondicherry (Puducherry) under Colonial Powers:
• Anglo-French Rivalry: Pondicherry was the headquarters of the French East India Company in India (founded by François Martin in 1674). Between 1761 and 1816, power struggle and control over Pondicherry swung between the French and the British (Great Britain), NOT Portugal! Pondicherry was captured by the British multiple times (1761, 1778, 1793, 1803) and returned during peace treaties (Treaty of Paris 1763, Treaty of Versailles 1783, Treaty of Amiens 1802).
• Final French Restoration: Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Treaty of Paris (1814/1815), the British formally restored Pondicherry to the French on 26th September 1816, and French control remained uninterrupted until de facto transfer on 1st November 1954 (administrative transfer signed on 31st October/1st November 1954).
• Therefore, statement (a) is false because the conflict was with Britain, making Option (1) the correct choice.
• Key Takeaway: Pondicherry was contested between France and Britain (not Portugal) between 1761 and 1816 before being returned to France until 1954.