The Rebirth of Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram 

  1. The Indian government recently renamed Port Blair, the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as Sri Vijaya Puram. 
  2. The name change signifies a break from the colonial legacy of British rule and symbolises India's victory in its freedom struggle.
  3. It also underlines the unique historical role of the islands in India's fight for independence.

 

History Behind Port Blair (now Sri Vijaya Puram):

  1. Historically, the Andaman Islands functioned as a strategic naval base for the Chola Empire.
  2. During the 11th century, under Rajendra Chola I, they played a crucial role in the Chola invasion of the Srivijaya Empire (modern-day Indonesia).
  3. British Naval officer Archibald Blair named the place Port Blair. During British rule, it became synonymous with oppression as it served as a penal colony, particularly after the Revolt of 1857.
  4. It housed the massive prison known as 'Kaala Paani', which held a number of freedom fighters, including Veer Damodar Savarkar.
  5. On 30th December 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the national flag for the first time on Indian soil in Port Blair.

 

Strategic Significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

  1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands are strategically located in the Bay of Bengal, giving India substantial ocean space under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
  2. The islands provide the first line of defence against any maritime threats from the east.

 

Historical Overview of Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

  1. India's association with these islands started after the 1857 War of Independence when it was used by the British as a penal colony for Indian revolutionaries.
  2. During the Japanese occupation in 1942, the islands became the first part of India that was liberated from British rule in 1943.
  3. The Andaman Nicobar Command (ANC), established in Port Blair in 2001 after the post-Kargil War security review, is India's first joint and unified operational command.

Conclusion: The renaming of Port Blair is a significant step in acknowledging and honouring the historical and strategic significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, marks the victory and unity of the nation, moving away from the shadows of colonial rule.