Bastille Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-day visit to France where he will attend the French National Day celebrations, also known as Bastille Day or Fête nationale française, on July 14. This occasion marks not only the storming of the Bastille in 1789 but also the unity festival, Fête de la Fédération, held in 1790.

Despite the end of the monarchy being symbolized by Bastille Day, royalty persisted in France for some time post the event. The storming of the Bastille is an emblematic event in French history which marked the beginning of the French Revolution, fundamentally altering the political and social structure of the country.

Bastille, a 14th-century fortress-prison in Paris, was seized by an armed mob of ordinary citizens on July 14, 1789. The fortress was infamous for imprisoning political dissenters at the king's will without trial. On the day of the storming, there were only seven prisoners, none of significant relevance.

Before the event, France was suffering from severe economic distress and social tensions. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were perceived as extravagant and irresponsible spenders, worsening the financial crisis. The storming was spurred by social discontent and widespread anger among the common people.

Bastille Day set in motion a radical change, revealing the power of collective action. Though the monarchy endured for some time after this event, the storming signaled the end of the ancien régime and the beginning of the modern French state.

The following year, while Louis XVI was still on the throne, the Fête de la Fédération was observed to celebrate the unity of the French people. The unity, however, was short-lived and quickly replaced by the bloodshed of the French Revolution.

Bastille Day celebrations lost steam in post-Revolution France due to political turbulence. By the 1870s, however, the need was felt for a national day to celebrate France and its people. July 14 was chosen for this observance, marking either the storming of the Bastille in 1789 or the Fête de la Fédération in 1790.

It's noteworthy that PM Modi is not the first Indian Prime Minister to attend Bastille Day celebrations. In 2009, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attended the event where 400 members of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force participated in the military parade. PM Modi's visit underlines the strong diplomatic ties between India and France, and the mutual commitment to further deepen this relationship.