Prateeksha Thakur
The Indian government has officially renamed Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to Sri Vijaya Puram. . Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the change on Friday, stating that Sri Vijaya Puram honors the heroic people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and reflects a commitment to moving away from colonial symbols. Also read: Treasures of the Gupta Empire: Book Launch and Rare Coins Exhibition to Rediscover India’s Golden Era
The Colonial history of Port Blair
Port Blair, originally named after Captain Archibald Blair, a British naval officer, has a deep-rooted connection to colonialism. Blair was instrumental in surveying and exploring the Andaman Islands during the late 18th century. He first arrived in the region in 1788, as part of a British expedition, and his findings led to the establishment of the first British settlement on Chatham Island in 1789.
Blair’s discovery of a natural harbor in the southern part of Great Andaman Island was initially named Port Cornwallis, in honor of Commodore William Cornwallis, the Commander-in-Chief of the British-Indian Navy. However, the name was later changed to Port Blair to recognize Blair’s contributions to the development of British control over the islands.
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Captain Archibald Blair’s work was crucial in laying the foundation for British colonization in the Andaman Islands. His detailed reports, presented to the British governor-general in 1789, convinced the British government to establish a foothold in the region. Blair oversaw the construction of the first settlement on Chatham Island, clearing forests and building cottages for British settlers.
However, the settlement faced significant challenges, including disease outbreaks and resistance from the indigenous tribes. Although the colony was initially relocated, Blair’s work set the stage for the British presence in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. By 1858, the islands became a penal colony, housing Indian freedom fighters imprisoned after the First War of Indian Independence.
The new name Sri Vijaya Puram pays homage to the region’s historical and strategic importance, dating back to the time of the Cholas, while also commemorating the sacrifices of freedom fighters who were imprisoned on these islands. The renaming signifies a break from the colonial past and a renewed focus on India’s indigenous heritage.
NI Bureau
