Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a Union Territory of India, hold a unique place in the country’s history and geography. Known widely as “Kalapani”, these islands became infamous under British colonial rule for serving as a penal settlement where thousands of Indian freedom fighters and revolutionaries were imprisoned in harsh conditions. Beyond their historical role, the islands are distinguished for their strategic location, cultural diversity, and rich natural resources.

Geographical Features

The archipelago is a chain of over 3,000 islands, islets, and rocks, of which only 38 are inhabited. The territory is divided into two groups: the Andaman Islands to the north and the Nicobar Islands to the south, separated by the 10 Degree Channel.

• 10 Degree Channel: This channel is approximately 150 km wide and 400 fathoms deep, running in an east-west orientation along the 10° latitude north of the equator. It separates the Andaman group from the Nicobar group.
• Latitude and Longitude: The islands are located between 16°N and 14°N latitude and 92°E and 94°E longitude.
• Landfall Island: The northernmost inhabited island, situated about 901 km from the Hooghly River’s mouth and 190 km from Myanmar (Burma).
• Indira Point: Located on Great Nicobar, this is the southernmost point of India, lying approximately 150 km from Sumatra (Indonesia).
• Saddle Peak: The highest point in the islands, reaching 732 metres above sea level in North Andaman.

Indigenous Tribes

The islands are home to some of the world’s most isolated indigenous tribes:

• Andaman Group: The Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Sentinelese tribes, all belonging to the Negrito racial stock. The Sentinelese, in particular, remain uncontacted and continue to reject outside interaction.
• Nicobar Group: The Nicobarese (mainly Christians today) and the Shompens form the principal tribes.

These groups exhibit diverse linguistic, cultural, and lifestyle patterns, with very little overlap between the Andamanese and Nicobarese.

Demographic Composition

Apart from indigenous tribes, the present-day population largely consists of settlers:

• Descendants of political prisoners and convicts transported during the British Raj.
• Moplas of Malabar, deported after the Moplah Rebellion and Khilafat Movement.
• Refugees from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) who arrived post-Partition.
• Ex-servicemen and job seekers from across India.

Due to this demographic mix, the territory is often referred to as “Little India” or “Mini India”.

Languages

The islands have a mix of languages:

• Great Andamanese languages, now nearly extinct, with Aka-Jeru being the last surviving dialect (36 speakers as of 1997).
• Ongan languages, spoken by approximately 300 people.
• Sentinelese language, unclassified due to the tribe’s isolation.
• Settler communities primarily speak Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam.

Colonial Penal Settlement: Kalapani

The origins of the infamous penal settlement date back to 1789, when the East India Company attempted an initial settlement, later abandoned in 1796. Following the Revolt of 1857, the British established a permanent penal colony in 1858, intended for freedom fighters and political prisoners. The place became synonymous with “Kalapani” (black waters), symbolising exile, isolation, and harsh punishment.

Japanese Occupation

During the Second World War, Japanese forces occupied the islands from March 1942 to October 1945. After Japan’s surrender, the British reoccupied the territory until India’s independence in 1947.

Port Blair and Other Notable Locations

• Port Blair: The capital and administrative centre of the Union Territory, now a hub for tourism due to its pristine beaches and marine biodiversity.
• Chatham Island: Home to one of Asia’s largest sawmills, historically using elephants for timber extraction.
• Mount Harriet: The highest hill in South Andaman at 365 metres, formerly the Chief Commissioner’s headquarters.
• Ross Island: Once the seat of British administration, abandoned after 1942 due to structural damage and Japanese occupation.
• Madhuban: Known for training elephants.
• Havelock Island: Renowned for coral reefs.
• Neil Island: Associated with timbering operations.
• Chiriya Tapu: Also called Bird Island, known for birdwatching.
• Viper Island: Site of an early colonial jail before the construction of the Cellular Jail.
• Car Nicobar: Predominantly inhabited by the Nicobarese, who are mostly Christians today.

The Cellular Jail

The Cellular Jail in Port Blair remains the most enduring symbol of the islands’ colonial legacy.

• Construction began in 1898 and was completed by 1906.
• The structure originally had seven wings, radiating from a central tower, comprising 698 solitary cells. Each prisoner was confined to a single cell, cut off from others.
• Known as the “Bastille of India”, the jail housed prominent revolutionaries and freedom fighters. Communication with families was strictly limited, with letters and newspapers heavily censored.
• Many prisoners succumbed to torture, insanity, or suicide, turning the jail into a place of martyrdom in the nationalist memory.
• The 1941 earthquake damaged parts of the jail, and during the Japanese occupation further destruction occurred. Eventually, four of the seven wings were demolished, leaving only three standing today as a national memorial.

Historical Significance

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands symbolise both oppression under colonial rule and the resilience of India’s freedom fighters. The Cellular Jail, in particular, is revered as a pilgrimage site for patriots. At the same time, the islands hold immense cultural and ecological value due to their unique tribal populations, rich marine ecosystems, and strategic geographic position in the Bay of Bengal.