SAGA of Andaman

Only a British Survey of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands undertaken in 1777 provides a comprehensive history of these islands. The Negritos and Mongoloids, who lived in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for centuries each, continued to call them home. Up to the end of the 18th Century, these islands were isolated from the mainland. At that time, the first visitors came. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were depicted on maps created in the second century by Claudius Ptolemaeus, a famous Greek astronomer, mathematician, and geographer. This may be the first record of the islands. Although these islands were widely known to traders in ancient due to their proximity to the trade route to the Far East, little is known about Nicobar's early history. Despite the lack of information regarding Portuguese activities on these islands, it is certain that Portuguese missionaries began evangelising the inhabitants. A few Portuguese words can also be found in Nicobarese.

Lord Cornwallis, the then-Governor General of India, had the idea to colonise the islands in 1788. He gave Lt. Archibald Blair and Lt. R. H. Colebrook of the Royal Navy the mission to survey the islands and submit a report on their suitability for a British colony. The first British settlement was established in 1789 on Chatham Island, near Port Cornwallis, on the advice of these two commanders. (Now Port Blair). The British Government considered creating a correctional camp here following the First War of Independence in 1857. 200 inmates, largely insurrectionists from the Indian Army, were housed in the first prison settlement, which opened in March 1858. The inmates were initially housed at a jail on Viper Island, which is located about 15 minutes by boat from Port Blair. The island featured a jail, gallows, Kutcheri, doctor's house, and other facilities. Later, this jail was closed down, and Port Blair's Cellular Jail was built in its place. The number of prisoners increased during the administrations of successive Superintendents, E.H. Man, General Steward, and Col. Cadell, and they were exposed to cruel treatment at the hands of the British jailers. In 1896, the famed Cellular Jail's first bricks were laid. The structure was finished in 1906. During Colonel Ferrar's administration, there were several adjustments to both policy and practice, including, among other things, concessions to the prisoners, visits to the mainland, etc.

Another set of changes occurred in the Andamans' way of life as a result of World War II. The Japanese took control of the Andaman Islands on March 21, 1942, and maintained that power until October 8, 1945. When they became aware that certain villagers were keeping links with the British, the Japanese changed their initial polite behaviour towards the natives into one that was severe and suspicious. Consequently, many innocent persons were killed. One such location where the killing took place was Humfregunj. But the Andaman Islands became self-sufficient, at least in terms of food production, as a result of the Japanese rule. A severe food shortage was caused by the naval blockade, and the Japanese forced the locals to cultivate more land. They built highways as well. On December 29, 1943, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose arrived in Port Blair and received a formal welcome. On December 30, 1943, at Port Blair, he raised the national flag for the first time under the British rule in India. The Japanese gave themselves up to the South East Asia Command in Port Blair on October 8, 1945. The government swiftly started the process of rehabilitating the area and restoring normalcy.

The capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Port Blair.

Port Blair serves as both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' administrative capital and capital city. The entry point and gateway to these Islands are in Port Blair. Port Blair is connected to the major Indian cities by air and sea via Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, and Kolkata. All of the Andaman and Nicobar Group Islands are connected to Port Blair by ferry, and Port Blair serves as the entry point to all of the Islands.

Ross Island, North Bay (Coral Island), Viper Island, Chidyatapu, Mount Harriet, Corbyn's Cove Beach, Wandoor Beach, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park (includes Jolly Buoy and Redskin Island), Museums (Anthropological Museum, Fisheries Museum, Naval Museum (Samudrika), Andaman Water sports complex, Chatham Saw Mill, Forest Museum, Scie Museum, and The Cellular Jail Comparatively speaking, Port Blair is the best location for water sports like banana and sofa rides, glass-bottom boats, jet ski and speed boat rides, scuba diving, sea walking, snorkeling, and sea walking. You can get to Havelock Island, Neil Island, and Diglipur from Port Blair. The greatest place to shop in the Andaman Islands is Port Blair, where you may visit Sagarika, the government store, or the local market.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands were combined into a single administrative jurisdiction in 1874 under the British Regime, with a Chief Commissioner serving as its judicial administrator. The Nicobar Islands were divided off into a separate revenue district on August 1st, 1974, with the district's administrative centre in Car Nicobar and a Deputy Commissioner in charge. The position of Lieutenant Governor, which took the role of the Chief Commissioner as the head of government, was established in 1982.