This question is asking for the correct series of events with regard to the European powers occupying Pondicherry (now Puducherry).

Option 1 states that the first European power to occupy Pondicherry were the Portuguese. This statement is true which means option 1 is correct.

Option 2 states that the second European power to occupy Pondicherry were the French. While it is true that the French established a colony in Pondicherry, they were not the second European power to do so; the Dutch were. Thus, statement 2 is incorrect.

Option 3 states that the English never occupied Pondicherry, this statement is false as indeed, the British did occupy Pondicherry twice, first in 1793 for a short period, and then from 1802 till 1816 during the Napoleonic Wars.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1 which corresponds to statement 1 only.

The answer provided is correct. Option 2 and 3 are incorrect, and option 4 is incorrect as it includes all three statements, out of which statement 2 and 3 are incorrect.