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Why are Puducherry and Karaikal geographically unusual in relation to Tamil Nadu?

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Mamallapuram: Shore Temple — Tamil Nadu Shore Temple, Mamallapuram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Puducherry and Karaikal are geographically unusual in relation to Tamil Nadu because they exist as enclaves surrounded by the state’s territory. While they are part of the Puducherry union territory, they are physically separated from the other regions of the territory (Mahe and Yanam) and are situated entirely within the borders of Tamil Nadu along the Coromandel Coast.1234

This unique administrative arrangement is a legacy of their history as former colonies of French India. Following the transfer of these possessions to the Union of India in the mid-20th century, they were integrated into a single union territory despite their geographic fragmentation. Consequently, these areas function as distinct administrative units while being geographically embedded within the state of Tamil Nadu.142