Mahe – History
Originally the name of the region was 'Mayyazhi' which means Black River mouth. The French commodore de pardaillan who recaptured mahe from vazhunnavar changed the name as 'Mahe’ to perpetuate the memory of French naval captain, Mahe De Labourdonnais whose skill and enterprise was mainly the cause of the victory then.

Mahe has a history of 2 1/2 centuries commencing from the visit of the French. The first representative of the French East India Mr. Mollandin landed in Mahe in 1721. On 2nd April 1721, Mr.Mollandin and Vazhunnavar (ruler) of Badagara (known from the French records as the Bayanor of bargaret) entered into an agreement. According to this agreement, the French were permitted to establish a trading centre (to construct a warehouse) on the mouth of river Mahe. In 1724 the French built a fort here. Their well-known rivals, the British, persuaded the Prince of Badagara in 1725 to push the French out of Mahe. The relationship between the French and the Vazhunnavar became strained and in 1725 fight broke out. The French were obliged to retire to Calicut and in December 1725 the French recaptured Mahe.

Captain Francois Mahe de Labourdonnais rendered such distinguished service that this French foothold on the Malabar coast was named after him as 'mahe' - by slightly modifying its original name of 'Maiki'. In Malayalam, Mahe is now pronounced 'Mahi'.

If you look at the map of main Pondicherry town, laid in geometrical pattern by the French some 200 years ago, there lies a Rue Mahe de Labourdonnais between Marie Hall and the War Memorial. Many residents of Pondicherry may perhaps not remember that there exists a significant historical link between this famous French Captain Francois Mahe de Labourdonnais and a tiny enclave of 9 sq. kms, tucked away on the other side of the Peninsula - now called Mahe.

How to reach Mahe
By Air: The nearest airport are in Madurai and Chennai.

By Rail: The nearest railway stations are at Madras and Villupuram. Alternatively you can take a train from Bangalore to Cuddalore.

By Road: You can reach Mahe easily from the neighboring states. Mahe and Pondicherry Regions is well connected by a network of roads from Chennai, Bangalore and Kerala. Southindiatourtravel.com is an international travel site and a repository of useful information on Mahe and Pondicherry Regions and on other exotic places around the globe.

Hotels in Mahe

Berjaya Mahe Beach Resort
Le Relax Hotel Mahe Island
Coco Dor Hotel Mahe Island
Plantation Club Resort & Casino Seychelles
Le Meridien Barbarons Hotel Mahe Island
Banyan Tree Hotel Mahe Island
Le Meridien Fisherman’s Cove Mahe Island
Hilton Northolme Hotel Mahe Island