Historical of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

 Historical of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands begins with the Ramayana period.Handuman was the name given to it throughout the Ramayana period; however, as time passed, the name was changed. According to Ptolemy, in the first century, this place was known as Agadaemon Angademan. Travellers from all over the world came here. Arab travelers arrived in the nineteenth century, Marco Polo visited in the thirteenth century, describing this location as Angamanian, Friar Odoric in the fourteenth century, and Caesar Fredericke in the sixteenth century. Lieutenant Archibald Blair of the Royal Indian Navy established a naval base on a small island adjacent to South Andaman in the 17th century by clearing jungles, building houses, and cultivating kitchen gardens and orchards. Nonetheless, the base signalled the coming of

The first colony was established on Chatham Island, with 12 acres of land.In 1857, Dr. Frederic John Mouat established "The Andaman Committee" to investigate the ideal location for a prison settlement. On January 22, 1858, Captain H Man raised Union Jack at Port Blair for the second time to establish and supervise the Penal System.

In the spring of 1858, the British government in India established a prison settlement in South Andaman, at the same harbour (Chatham) where the original colony had stood over a century before. It was called Port Blair. The British forced the captives to clear the jungle, which upset the natives, who began to fight back. This ignites the natives' desire to fight against the British for their freedom, resulting in the first war, known as "The Battle of Aberdeen" on May 17, 1859.

The Cellular Jail was built between 1896 and 1910, with a total of 668 cells and seven wings in a Star circular shape. This jail was built to imprison independence fighters from the mainland.

After independence, the Indian government established the administration on these islands, with Port Blair serving as the headquarters. Shri Imam-ul-Majid served as the first Chief Commissioner of Independent Andaman in 1947.

The first batch of settlers during the post-independence era included the rehabilitation of approximately 198 refugee families from Pakistan (March 1949). Following it, the settlement continued. These settlers are primarily farmers and petty traders from Bengal, Ranchi, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. The government has offered land to the settlers.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands Culture

The Andaman and Nicobar islands have a distinct culture. The island has a mixed culture, defined by two separate local populations. They are the Negroid and Mongoloid settlers on the island. Along with them, early inhabitants from the Indian mainland contributed to mainstream culture. Despite the passage of time, these unique strains have maintained their identities and cultures. Though there is a diversity of civilizations, the most important aspect of Andaman and Nicobar islands is their peaceful coexistence.

The most crucial component of an island is its indigenous people's culture. The people of the Andaman Islands are of Negroid heritage, having migrated from Africa thousands of years ago. Nicobar tribes are divided into two main groups: Nicobari (Nicobarese) and Shompens.

Today, Andaman and Nicobar's culture is a fusion of many religions, languages, and ethnic groupings. The island's principal city, Port Blair, is cosmopolitan, with residents from all over the world. Everyone lives peacefully here, preserving the territory's distinct culture. All fairs and festivals are held here with tremendous unity and enthusiasm. Festivals of all religions are celebrated equally.

Andaman and Nicobar Tourism

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India's most notable archipelago, exemplify this claim of high biodiversity. This group of islands is a destination for visual splendor as well as high-octane water activities, thanks to its pearly white beaches, which are frequently lashed by ferocious waves from the Bay of Bengal.

Top 10 Visiting places in Andaman and Nicobar

Jolly Bouy: An island in Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park that provides a spectacular underwater view of coral and marine life. It is an excellent location for snorkeling, water bathing, and relaxing on the sun-kissed beach. To reach Jolly buoy island, people must come to Wandoor beach.This is located in the Mahatma Gandhi National Park. Wandoor Beach is 30 kilometers from Port Blair by car.

Swaraj Dweep (Radha Nagar Beach): Swaraj Dweep is a stunning natural paradise featuring beautiful white sandy beaches, rich coral reefs, and thick green forest. It is one of the populous islands in the Andaman group, covering an area of 113 square kilometers and located 39 kilometers northeast of Port Blair.

This island, with lovely sandy beaches fringed by the green canopy of rain-fed trees, invites everyone to enjoy the frolic and fun in the azure water.

Cellular Jail: This three-story prison, built by Britishers in 1906, is a pilgrimage site for liberation fighters. This massive structure has silently watched the most heinous of barbaric atrocities committed by the inmates, who were largely liberation fighters. It is now a national memorial.

The brave freedom battle is given to life in a dramatic Son-et-Lumiere, which is shown every day inside the jail compound. There is also a Museum, an Art Gallery, and a Photo Gallery.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island: Once the seat of British authority and capital of these islands, it now stands as a ruin of bygone days, with the original edifice virtually completely destroyed. A modest museum called 'Smritika' houses photographs and other antiquities of Britishers associated with these islands.

Chatham Island: The Island has a Saw Mill on the little island, which is accessible via a bridge over a length of seawater. This sawmill is one of the largest and oldest in Asia. The main mainland-Island harbour is also there. Haddo is a nearby port.

Cinque Island: The Island is a haven for rare corals and underwater marine life. It features a fine sandy beach and sandbar that connects the North and South Cinque Islands, as well as tropical rainforest. There are no scheduled ferry services to Cinque Island. Chartered boats of the approved category are permitted from Port Blair and Wandoor. To visit, contact private boat operators in Port Blair to rent a boat with permission from the Forest Department.

Corbyn's Cove Beach: Corbyn's Cove Beach, a coconut-palm fringed beach six kilometers from Port Blair town, is perfect for swimming and sunbathing. Hotel, restaurant, bar, changing room, and adventure water sports are all offered here. On the route to this beach, you can observe historical artifacts such as Japanese bunkers. Snake Island, located right across the shore, is known for scuba diving. The Tourism Department's Waves Restaurant & Beer Bar serves delicious meals at moderate prices in a relaxing atmosphere.

Mount Harriet: 55 kilometers by road or 15 kilometers by ferry and climb from Port Blair, served as the Chief Commissioner's summer headquarters during the British Raj. This location is great for a stunning view of the adjacent islands and sea. It is the tallest peak in the South Andamans (365 meters high). At Mount Harriet, there is a Forest Guest House where visitors can relax and replenish.

Gandhi Park: This magnificent park in Port Blair offers amusement rides, safe water sports, a nature trail around the lake, a garden, a restaurant, and historical sites like as a Japanese temple and a bunker. The former Dilthaman tank, which served as the only supply of drinking water for Port Blair and the surrounding area, was transformed into Gandhi Park in just 13 days. It is open all day.

Shaheed Dweep: This picturesque island, with lush green forests and sandy beaches, is the Andaman Islands' vegetable bowl. It is accessible by boat from Port Blair four days a week, making it a perfect holiday destination for environmentally conscious tourists. The Hawabill Nest guest house of the Directorate of Tourism is located here. One can sense the authenticity and tranquillity of village life here. The attractions include beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, and Sitapur, as well as a bridge formation on the seashore (Howra Bridge).

Weather and Climate of Andaman

The climate in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is tropical yet cooled by sea breezes. Throughout the year, temperatures normally rise from the low 70s F (about 23°C) to the mid-80s F (approximately 30°C).

The warmest month in the Andaman Islands is April, with an average high temperature of 30°C. January is the coldest month, with an average maximum daytime temperature of 28° Celsius.

The Southwest Monsoon arrives in May or June and lasts through September or October. During this time, the islands receive heavy rain, strong winds, and extreme humidity.

The best time to visit Andaman is from October to March, when the islands have their best weather.

Population of Andaman and Nicobar

The current estimated population is at 4.10 lakhs. According to Census 2011, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands have a population of 3.81 lakh.

Andaman Religion  

The majority of the people of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are Hindus, accounting for about 69.45% of the population. Christians constitute a large minority, making up about 21.7% of the population, according to the 2011 census of India.

Andaman And Nicobar's languages

Hindi and English are the official languages of the islands, while Bengali is the most commonly spoken. Additionally, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam are also prevalent. The indigenous inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, the Andamanese, historically comprised small isolated groups, each speaking dialects of the Andamanese language.

How to reach Port Blair

Port Blair Airport, also known as Veer Savarkar International Airport, serves as the city's major air gateway, with a single terminal that handles both domestic and international aircraft. Its convenient location, roughly 2 kilometers from the city center, enables simple access for travelers.

Port Blair is accessible by sea, with regular passenger ferries and ships linking the city to mainland India and neighboring islands. The town is a major port for maritime transport in the region, providing magnificent trips through the tranquil seas of the Bay of Bengal.

Port Blair provides a variety of regional transportation options, including taxis, buses, auto-rickshaws, and hired scooters or bicycles. These choices make it easier for visitors to discover the city's attractions.