New Delhi: Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has been renamed to Sri Vijaya Puram with an aim to “free nation from colonial imprints”. The city was named after Captain Archibald Blair, a British colonial navy official of the East India Company.
Home Minister Amit Shah took to his X account and said, "While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle…"
He said, "Inspired by the vision of PM Narendra Modi Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram."
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "The Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations," he adds.
"It is also the place that hosted the first unfurling of our Tiranga by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Ji and also the Cellular Jail in which Veer Savarkar Ji and other freedom fighters struggled for an independent nation," added Shah.
Significance Of Port Blair
Port Blair played a crucial role in India's freedom struggle due to its association with the notorious Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani. The jail, constructed by the British to imprison Indian freedom fighters, became a symbol of colonial oppression. Prominent revolutionaries like Veer Savarkar and Batukeshwar Dutt were held in its isolated cells, enduring brutal conditions and torture. After India's independence, the Cellular Jail was transformed into a national memorial, commemorating the sacrifices made by freedom fighters in the struggle against British rule.
Today, Port Blair holds significant economic and tourism importance as the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a popular destination for travelers. The city's economy is primarily driven by tourism, as it offers stunning beaches, rich marine life, and historical landmarks like the Cellular Jail.
Who Was Port Blair Named After?
The town is named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair, a British naval officer of the British East India Company. Blair was instrumental in surveying the Andaman Islands in the late 18th century when the British were expanding their influence in the region.
In 1789, Blair was sent by the East India Company to survey the islands and assess their potential for establishing a penal settlement, as the British were seeking a remote location to house convicts from mainland India. Blair's survey led to the establishment of a settlement on Chatham Island, a small island near what is now modern Port Blair. This settlement was primarily intended as a penal colony, and it marked one of the earliest British attempts to gain a foothold in the Andaman Islands.
The colony faced several challenges, including harsh climatic conditions, diseases, and attacks by indigenous tribes. Despite these difficulties, Blair's efforts laid the foundation for future British control of the islands. Although the original settlement was abandoned after a few years, Port Blair continued to serve as an important location for the British administration and later became the site of the infamous Cellular Jail during the colonial era.
The town of Port Blair was named in Blair's honor to recognise his role in pioneering British exploration and settlement in the Andaman Islands.