The genesis of this book was an exhibition of vignettes of the French influence in India, proposed to be held in the metro cities of India, beginning in Hyderabad. As our research progressed, we were fascinated by the range of French influence on Indian culture. The better known aspects, such as Dupleix's palaces in Chandernagore and Pondicherry, led us to other less-known facets. French cartographers mapped India with a specificity that is valid even today. ...
