Story of Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram)

Govt of India removed one more symbol of 250 year old colonial slavery. 

Modi govt decided to rename the capital of Andaman & Nicobar, Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram.

A decision that should have been taken in 1947.

Story starts from 1771 when East India Company was slowly slowly trying to capture India. 

Archibald Blair, a British naval surveyor joins Bombay Marine as lieutenant.Bombay marine was part of Naval force of East India Company.

Archibald Blair's job was to conduct survey mission along the coasts of India, Iran and Arabia.

In 1788 he was given assignment to survey Andaman Islands. This map was made by him in 1789.

In 1789 he searched currents Port Blair and named it Port Cornwallis after Admiral William Cornwallis who was his senior But in 1791, East India Company changed its name to Port Blair.

From then for 233 years, It was called Port Blair. 

This island could not be habituated since there was much disease and death in the penal colony, and the government ceased operating it in May 1796.

1855

British government proposed another settlement on the islands, including a convict establishment, but the Rebellion of 1857 forced a delay in its construction.

1896-1906

Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) was constructed to house Indian political prisoners, in confinement, Port Blair became immortal in Indian history on 30th December 1943 (Never forget this date)

World War II

It was occupied by Japanese on 23 March 1942.

From 1943 to 1944, Port Blair served as the headquarters of the Azad Hind Fauj under Subhash Chandra Bose.

Netaji hoisted the Tricolor for the first time on the Indian Soil on 30th December 1943, declaring the Islands as the first Indian Territory to be freed from the colonial rule. 

This was a unique act in the history of British Raj and the Indian freedom Movement.

British forces returned to the islands in October 1945 after demise of Netaji Bose.

During the Partition of India, Britishers announced their intention to retain possession of the islands and use them to resettle Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese on these islands.

Muslim League also claimed on island but eventually India got domination on these islands

Port Blair has special significance in Indian history because it was the first Indian territory that got freedom from Britishers on 30th Dec 1943

Britishers left Port Blair in 1947 but left this name Port Blair which was kept on name of Archibald Blair

A place where thousands of Indian freedom fighters were tortured and killed.

Yesterday removed that signs of slavery also.

A much appreciable decision by Indian govt.