The British East India Company captured Pondicherry (Puducherry) from the French in the year _______ .

The correct answer is 1761.

To understand the historical context of this event:
1. Pondicherry (now Puducherry) was established as a French colonial settlement in India in 1674.
2. During the 18th century, the British and French East India Companies fought a series of conflicts known as the Carnatic Wars for supremacy over the Indian subcontinent.
3. The Third Carnatic War (1756–1763) was the Indian theater of the global Seven Years' War fought between Great Britain and France.
4. In 1760, British forces led by Sir Eyre Coote besieged the French at Pondicherry.
5. After a long siege, the French governor Lally surrendered Pondicherry to the British East India Company in the year 1761.
6. Although Pondicherry was later returned to the French under the Treaty of Paris in 1763, this capture in 1761 marked a decisive blow to French power in India.