Colonisation of Pondicherry

1).With reference to Pondicherry(now Puducherry) consider the following[IAS 2010]
1.The first European power to occupy Pondicherry were Portuguese.
2.The second European power to occupy Pondicherry were French.
3.The English never occupied Pondicherry.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct.
(a) Only 1                                  
(b) 2 and 3
(c) Only 3                                  
 (d)1,2 and 3
Answer:- (a)
Explanation:-Portuguese were first European to set up a factory in the region during 16th century.They were followed by Danes and Dutch.
In 1674 French East India Company set up  trading centre at Pondicherry.British captured Pondicherry on 16th January 1761 from French but by the Treaty of Paris(1763) Pondicherry was returned to French and remained under them until 1954.