In which year Puducherry became a French colonial possession

Puducherry became a French colonial possession in the year 1674 when François Martin, the first French Governor of Pondicherry, established a permanent French settlement there. This marked the formal beginning of French rule in the region.

The French East India Company had acquired the territory from the local ruler with the aim of establishing a trading post. Over time, Puducherry developed into the capital of French India and remained under French control, with intermittent periods of occupation by the Dutch and British, until it was finally merged with the Indian Union in 1954 (de facto) and 1963 (de jure).

The other years mentioned — 1695, 1679, and 1688 — are not associated with the initial establishment of French control in Puducherry.

Therefore, Puducherry became a French colonial possession in 1674.