Andaman

Author:Laxman Burdak, IFS (R)

Andaman and Nicobar Islands (अण्डमान निकोबार द्वीप समूह) is a union territory of India, comprising of 572 islands of which 38 are inhabited at the juncture of the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea.^[1] Port Blair (पोर्ट ब्लेयर) is the capital city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Author had visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands (18.12.2011-24.12.2011) and provided facts and images here.

Variants

Location

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands territory is about 150 km north of Aceh in Indonesia and separated from Thailand and Myanmar by the Andaman Sea. It comprises two island groups, the Andaman Islands (partly) and the Nicobar Islands, separated by the 150 km wide Ten Degree Channel (on the 10°N parallel), with the Andaman islands to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobar islands to the south (or by 179 km). The Andaman Sea lies to the east and the Bay of Bengal to the west.

Origin of name

Andaman: Legendary saying goes that the name Andaman owes its origin to the Malays, who have known the islands from time immemorial, since the islands provided them with slaves. They used to sail across the seas, capture some of the aborigins and give them away as slaves in trade. The Malays called them the islands of Handuman because that is how they pronounced the name of Handuman in Ramayana, one great classic, and Handuman eventually became Andaman.^[2]^[3]

Nicobar islands have often been referred to as the land of "the naked people". I Tsing described them as lojen-kue, which means "Land of naked people".^[4]

Administrative divisions

The territory's capital is the city of Port Blair. The territory is divided into three districts:

Nicobar District with Car Nicobar as its capital,
South Andaman district with Port Blair as its capital and
North and Middle Andaman district with Mayabunder as its capital.

Major Tourist attractions

Major tourist attractions in Andaman and Nicobar islands include:

Chatham Saw Mill: This is a government saw mill in Chatham. It is one of the biggest saw mill in Asia. Chatham Saw Mill was set up under the British administration in 1883 and is a well-known wood processor in Asia. Asia’s biggest and oldest Chatham Saw Mill is situated at Chatham Island. Amidst the popular tourist places in Port Blair, the mill is quite an attraction for the young ones. The place is nicely maintained and one can witness vintage wood cutting machines and practices.

As soon as you land in Chatham it is all wood around. Large piles of woods can be seen being loaded, unloaded, sorted, cut and moulded. Chatham Saw Mill also produces sawn timber and handles the production of ‘Padauk’- Andaman’s well-known premier wood. It may be interesting to know that the beautiful crimson walls of the Buckingham Palace were made of the local Padauk wood processed in Chatham Saw Mill, Andaman.

You can visit Chatham via road from Port Blair, the 100 metres long Chatham bridge connects Port Blair with Chatham Island or you can take a ferry ride to Viper and North passage Islands from Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex.

Visiting Chatham Saw Mill is definitely an interesting expedition for the people, who like to know the island history and to learn about an aspect of life they would not otherwise explore. You can also buy artifacts made of Padauk wood from this sawmill area.

Forest Museum: It is located in Hadoo region, which is situated on the outskirts of the capital city of Port Blair at a distance of the only 29Km. This museum is managed and maintained by the ‘Forest Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ and it is popular for its wooden artifacts associated with the forest and the variety of flora and fauna found in the forest. The forest department also carries out researches and the outcomes of these research activities can be clearly seen in this museum. The museum displays a wide variety of wooden products, which indicated the artistic skills of the locals. As the name suggests, this is a museum which gives you the details about the forestry of Andaman and Nicobar Island and some of its wildlife. The complete information about the wildlife and the prevalence of forests in the islands has been systematically collected and shown in an interesting manner. This museum is an interesting place to visit for the environment and forest lovers.

The forest museum also incorporates a Mini Zoo and a Zoological Garden, which are the major means to attract a number of tourists to the place. As the Zoo Houses a, few species of small animals and birds found exclusively in the Andaman forest, while the Garden is home to some of the alive endemic or endangered species of plants. The museum helps the visitor to get some insight in the forestry and related activities. One can see many attractive models in timber showcased there.^[5]

Samudrika Naval Marine Museum: It is a museum situated near the Andaman Teal House at Port Blair in India, designed to create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment.^[6] The museum is run by the Indian Navy.^[7] This museum aims to generate awareness about the environment in the ocean and the marine life. The museum has five sections presenting history of Andaman Islands, Geographical information, people of Andaman, Archaeology and Marine life.^[8] Situated opposite Andaman Teal House, Delanipur, Port Blair, this museum create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment and houses a vast collection of sea shells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes of the sea around the islands.

Cellular Jail: The Cellular Jail, also known as Kālā Pānī (Black Water), was a colonial prison. The prison was used by the British especially to exile political prisoners to the remote archipelago. Many notable dissidents such were imprisoned here during the struggle for India's independence. Today, the complex serves as a national memorial monument.

Although the prison complex itself was constructed between 1896 and 1906, the British had been using the Andaman Islands as a prison since the days in the immediate aftermath of the revolt of 1857.

Each of the seven wings had three stories upon completion. There were no dormitories and a total of 696 cells. Each cell was 14.8 ft × 8.9 ft in size with a ventilator located at a height of 9.8 ft. The name, "cellular jail", derived from the solitary cells which prevented any prisoner from communicating with any other. Also, the spokes were so designed such that the face of a cell in a spoke saw the back of cells in another spoke. This way, communication between prisoners was impossible. They were all in solitary confinement. The locks of the prison cells were designed in such a way that the inmate would never be able to reach the latch of the lock. The prison guards would lock up the inmates and throw the key of the lock inside the jail. The inmate would try to put his hand out and try to unlock the door but would never be able to do so as his hand would never reach the lock.

Most prisoners of the Cellular Jail were independence activists. Some inmates were Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, Yogendra Shukla, Batukeshwar Dutt, Babarao Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Bhai Parmanand, Sohan Singh, Subodh Roy and Trailokyanath Chakravarty. Several revolutionaries were tried in the Alipore Case (1908), such as Barindra Kumar Ghose, the surviving companion of Bagha Jatin, was transferred to Berhampore Jail in Bengal, before his mysterious death in 1924.

Hunger strikes by the inmates in May 1933 caught the attention of the jail authorities. Thirty-three prisoners protested their treatment and sat in hunger strike. Among them were Mahavir Singh, an associate of Bhagat Singh (Lahore conspiracy case), Mohan Kishore Namadas (convicted in Arms Act Case) and Mohit Moitra (also convicted in Arms Act Case). These three died due to force-feeding.

INA occupation: The Empire of Japan invaded the Andaman islands in March 1942 capturing the small British garrison. The Cellular Jail then became home to British, suspected British India supporters, and later of members of the Indian Independence League, many of whom were tortured and killed there. Notionally during this period control of the Islands was passed to Subhash Chandra Bose, who hoisted the Indian National Flag for the first time on the islands, at the Gymkhana Ground in Port Blair, appointed INA General AD Loganathan as the governor of the Islands, and announced the Azad Hind Government was not merely a Government in Exile, and had freed the territory from the British rule.

On 7 October 1945 the British resumed control of the Islands, and prison, following the surrender of the islands to Brigadier J. A. Salomons, of the 116th Indian Infantry Brigade, a month after the Surrender of Japan, at the end of World War II.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a national park of India near Wandoor on the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, part of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The park was created on 24 May 1983 under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 to protect marine life such as the corals and nesting sea turtles prevalent in the area. It was placed under the protection of the Chief Wildlife Warden of the forest department of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and it is open creeks running through the park area were a special attraction. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park has some 20 islands.

Jolly Buoy Island: Located at 30 KM from the Wandoor Beach, Jolly Buoy Island is a very small islet in South Andaman that comes under the Mahatma Gandhi National Park's Marine Sanctuary along with Red Skin Island, which is a preserved area, protected by the Andaman Administration. Area of the Island is 18.80 Ha, Costline 2.5 km, Length 1.10 km, Width 0.2 km and elevation 45 metres.

Flora of Jolly Buoy Island: Although there are no palm or coconut trees here, the Jolly buoy features a small yet dense tropical forest that covers 70% of the island and can be easily trekked through with the help of a guide. Some of the tree/plant species found here are Kewra, Jungli Kapas, Karanj, Khari Mahua, Morinda, Badam etc.

Kewda (Pandanus odorifer) is an aromatic monocot species of plant in the family Pandanaceae, native to Polynesia, Australia, South Asia (Andaman Islands), and the Philippines, and is also found wild in southern India and Burma. It is commonly known as fragrant screw-pine. It is a small branched, palm-like dioecious tree with a flexuous trunk supported by brace roots. The tree can grow to a height of 4 meters. Leaves grow in clusters at the branch tips, with rosettes of sword-shaped, stiff (leather-like) and spiny bluish-green, fragrant leaves. Leaves are glaucous, 40–70 cm. long. In summer, the tree bears very fragrant flowers, used as perfume.

The beach is only present at one side of the island while other sides open up to a cliff that ends in water, which is why it is not advised to stand near the edge of the jungle. As it is a protected area, the complete island is a no plastic zone and visitors are required to submit the list of all plastic items they are taking with them. It is not allowed to leave any plastic or other belongings in the island because it might affect the biodiversity. Due to all these efforts, it has the densest and unique coral population in Andaman that supports one of the most richest biodiversity in the isles. Wide variety of coral species houses some of the most vibrant and beautiful fishes that are waiting to be explored by adventure lovers.

The waters near the Jolly Buoy beach is extremely shallow and clear, which allows for a clear view of the sea bottom and all the dwellers. Sometimes during low tide, the water becomes so shallow that the corals are almost out of the water, and Snorkeling is restricted at that time. But no need to worry about that, there are plenty of rental boats available at the island who will take you deeper into the sea for a great experience.

Chidiya Tapu: Chidiya Tapu is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Andaman. Chidiya Tapu is mainly popular for its wide range of birds and is a haven for bird watchers. Indigenous and migratory birds can be seen decorating the skies here, enticing nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts visiting the place. This island in Andaman is also a treasure trove of thick forests and stunning views of the ocean. Experience serenity as the dense mangroves cover the entirety of the island and provide a sense of calm to the senses. Chidiya Tapu is also famous as The Sunset Point, so you can simply head over to the beach at the end of a long day and be enthralled by the tangerine sun setting over turquoise sea waters. If you like staying on land, you can check out the trail that leads to the famous Munda Pahad, or the Black Mountain. The path is rife with mesmerizing views of the island, and the vantage point will take your breath away, as you witness the blue sea stretched out as far as the eye can see. The biological park is another good destination, where you can enjoy a picnic with your family in the middle of dense forests and witness wild animals in their natural habitat.

Chidiya Tapu, Huge trees of Khari Mahua (Manilkara littoralis)
Chidiya Tapu, Plant-Pandanus
Chidiya Tapu, Climber-Caesalpinia bonduc

Mundapahar Beach and Trek: Mundapahar beach is preferred for swimming. It is approximately 3Km from Chidiya Tapu. The beach is ideal for bird watching, sunset view, and panoramic scenic beauty. The Mundapahar beach on Chidiya Tapu is a sought after picnic destination. Beautiful star corals and other sea shells can be collected on the beach. Very few know that this destination also hosts a trekking trail. The 1.5 Km Mundapahar trek is a pleasure treat. The trek is covered in approximately in 40-60 minutes of time. Mundapahar is covered with a dense layer of mangrove trees and is an excellent place for trekking which takes interested adventurers to the other side of the island that opens up to an unending stretch of water with the horizon spreading its arms out to the ocean. The trekking experience on the Mundapahar can also be turned into a day picnic since the way to the southernmost tip of the island has an abundant supply of water and delicious food along with benches set up at small distances.^[9]

Ross Island: It is an island of the Andaman Islands. It belongs to the South Andaman administrative district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island is situated 3 km east from central Port Blair. Ross Island was the seat of British administration. The historic ruins are a tourist attraction. Ross island was named after marine surveyor, Daniel Ross. In December 2018, it was renamed as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island as a tribute to Subhash Chandra Bose.^[10]

After Archibald Blair's survey of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1789, a settlement was established at present day Port Blair (then called Port Cornwallis). In 1792 it was shifted to the Northern harbour (present day Diglipur) which was also christened Port Cornwallis (the former became Old Harbour). But, that settlement was abandoned in 1796 because of the high mortality rate. Between 1789–92, Blair established a hospital and a sanatorium at Ross Island.

In November 1857, the Government decided to establish a penal settlement in Andaman and send "hard-core elements" among those who took on the British. There were two reasons: One, to keep them away from other prisoners and the other, to send out a message that a similar treatment would be meted out to anyone who challenged the British authority. In January 1858, the British took possession of three islands in and around Port Blair and Captain H. Man, Executive Engineer, hoisted the Union Jack. In March, J.P. Walker, an experienced jail superintendent, arrived in Port Blair with four European officials, an Indian overseer, two doctors, 50 naval guards and 773 convicts. Gauri Shankar Pandey, who belonged to a family that had suffered atrocities during the Japanese occupation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has documented that it was water scarcity that drove Walker out of Port Blair to Ross Island.

Named after the marine surveyor Captain Daniel Ross, the island soon became the base. Initially, crude barracks of bamboo and grass were put up for the prisoners while the rest of the party stayed on board the ships that had brought them. Later, the prisoners built houses, offices, barracks and other structures at the penal colony after which they were promptly sent to Viper Island, where the first jail was constructed. The bungalow, meant for the Chief of the Penal Settlement, was constructed at the northern summit of the Island. Called Government House, the large-gabled home had Italian tiled flooring on the ground level. Now, some remains of the flooring are there, of course in a decrepit condition.

In 1872, the post of Superintendent was elevated to the level of Chief Commissioner and Sir Donald Martin Stewart, who was at Ross Island for one year, was made the first Chief Commissioner. Stewart held the post from July 1872 to June 1875. After Stewart, Ross Island saw 24 chief commissioners. But, it was during the tenure of Sir Charles Francis Waterfall that the Island's position as the seat of power collapsed. Waterfall, who became the Chief Commissioner in 1938, was captured by the Japanese in March 1942 when the latter invaded the Andaman and Nicobar Islands during World War II. He was held as a prisoner of war and his deputy, Major Bird, was beheaded by the Japanese at the clock tower in Aberdeen, Port Blair.

From 1942 to 1945, the island was occupied by the Japanese. The Government House became the residence of the Japanese admiral for three years (from March 1942 to October 1945). It was during this period that Subhash Chandra Bose, who took the help of Japanese in his fight against the British, stayed at the Island for a day in December 1943. Netaji also hoisted the national tricolor at the top of the Government House. The Japanese too left their imprint on the island which stand in the form of bunkers used as watch points to safeguard the Island from any invasion.

The allies reoccupied the island in 1945 and later abandoned it. In April 1979, the island was handed over to the Navy, which set up a small post, INS Jarawa, named after one of the indigenous tribes of the Andaman group of islands.

Enthropological Museum: Situated at a distance of 1 km from Port Blair Central Bus Stand, Anthropological Museum is an ethnographic museum situated in Port Blair. Anthropological Museum is located on the MG Road in Port Blair. The museum was established in between 1975-1976. It is maintained and managed by Anthropological Survey of India. One of the best, and well-maintained museums of Andaman, Anthropological Museum sheds light on the profound and informative portrait of island's local community of tribes like Jarawas, Sentinelese, Great Andamanese and the Onges. These tribes are considered as one of the oldest in the world.

Situated at the Middle Point in Port Blair, this best sightseeing place in Andaman is a historical delight and makes the tourists explore the life of Paleolithic Islanders. The major exhibits of this museum are Jarawa chest guard, shamanic sculptures and much more. The Anthropological Museum offers the highlights of primordial eras of Jarawas, the Onges, the Sentinelese, the Shompens and the Nicobarese. In short, a museum with blessed with a plethora of reasons making it a must-visit destination in Andaman.

The museum has on display various articles like tools, handicrafts, art and crafts, the boats of different shapes and sizes, the coconut or palm tree leaves baskets, clothes of Andamanese are the popular attractions in the museum. The photographs provide a glimpse into the way of life of the indigenous tribe.

Mount Harriet: The highest point in South Andaman, Mount Harriet is roughly 15 Km by ferry from Port Blair. It is situated majestically on the northern side opposite to Chatham Island at a height of 1200 feet above sea level. Havelock and Ross Islands can be viewed from this peak and make for an exceptional backdrop. Mount Harriet used to be the summer headquarters of the Chief Commissioner during the British regime.

Mount Harriet National Park is among must see tourist attractions in Port Blair. The park, established in 1969, covers about 4.62 km². The picture on the back side of ₹ 20 note is taken from Mount Harriet National Park. The park is named in commemoration of Harriet C. Tytler, the second wife of Robert Christopher Tytler, a British army officer, an administrator, naturalist and photographer, who was appointed Superintendent of the Convict Settlement at Port Blair in the Andamans from April 1862 to February 1864.^[11] Harriet is remembered for her work in documenting the monuments of Delhi and for her notes at the time of the Revolt of 1857 in India.^[12]

View from Mount Harriet
Mount Harriet, Nicobar Hut
Mount Harriet, Forest Rest House

Fisheries Museum: Fisheries Museum is located in a very strategic position, as it is not only close to the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex but it is also surrounded by the Marine Park an excellent picnic spot and the children’s traffic park- another great picnic spot for kids and families. This museum is enriched with different varieties of fishes and underwater sea creatures, which are found in and around of Andaman Sea. It is a place where more than 350 types of marine life have been preserved within it, of which almost all are exclusive to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and are rarely found anywhere else in the world, leave alone the Indian continent. The museum has a vast amount of Seashells that range from little too expansive and huge sizes shells, aside from being rare with a display of beautiful fish and corals stored behind the Indian Continent. The skeleton of a sperm whale, known for being the largest toothed whale and life-size display of dolphin and sawfish are some of the interesting sights you could take in the museum. This Museum is the perfect spot for kids it offers a great opportunity for children as well as adults interested in the different forms of marine life-giving or endemic or endangered. It is a great opportunity to learn about the habitats of marine life and also discover that how unique Andaman is from many of its counterparts. It likewise gives an awesome chance to find out about the habitat of marine life. This kind of intense preservation and information broadcast about marine life is rarely found anywhere else, within or outside India.^[13]

Rubber Plantations in Wandoor: Since rubber is one of the most significant cultivations on the islands, there are many spots that one can visit to see how the manufacturing process unfolds. The rubber plantation in Wandoor is one of the most scenic places and the largest in Andaman, with an area of about 931 hectare. It has around ten thousand trees and lies in the South Andaman region. As one enters, one can see thousands of golden rubber sheets and collecting jars fitted on each tree. A guided tour offers information on the process of converting raw rubber into sheets. The process called tapping involves the collection of rubber from trees. The rubber is then rolled into sheets through manual rollers. The whole procedure is indeed very fascinating.^[14] Bharat Singh IFS was selected by The Bureau of Public Enterprises Govt of India, as the Managing Director of the Andaman Forest Corporation at Port Blair. While working in the Andaman Forest Corporation, he launched the Palm Oil, Rubber and Spice plantation Projects.

Havelock Island: Havelock Island, with an area of 113.93 km², is the largest of the islands that comprise Ritchie's Archipelago, a chain of islands to the east of Great Andaman in the Andaman Islands. The island is 41 km northeast of the capital city, Port Blair. Havelock Island is named after a British general, Sir Henry Havelock, who served in India.^[15] In December 2018, it was renamed as Swaraj Island as a tribute to Subhash Chandra Bose. Bose had hoisted the Indian flag at Port Blair on 30 December 1943 and proclaimed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as territories liberated from British rule. He had subsequently named Andaman Island as Shaheed and Nicobar Island as Swaraj.^[16]

Radhanagar Beach: Radhanagar Beach is a beautiful pristine clean beach located on the western coast of Havelock Island. Called an infinite beach, Radhanagar was voted the best beach in Asia by Time Magazine in 2004 and is now considered one of the top 100 beaches in the world.

Viper Island: Viper Island is near Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was the site of the jail where the British used to imprison convicts and political prisoners. It has the ruins of a gallows atop a hillock. The jail was abandoned when the Cellular Jail was constructed in 1906.

Baratang Island: The Baratang Island which lies 150 kilometres north of Port Blair, also has a mangrove creeks leading to limestone caves and mud volcanoes. Ranchiwalas Island is another name for Baratang Island. Towards the close of the nineteenth century, the city of Ranchi experienced political upheaval. Many locals sought refuge by converting to Christianity with the help of the missionaries there. The British, realizing the future prospects of the forests of Andaman and Nicobar islands, sent the converts to Baratang Island to cultivate crops. The laborers from Ranchi settled there and made new lives for themselves.^[17]

Corbyn’s Cove Beach: It is situated near Port Blair and attracts tourists for its soft and sandy beaches. Corbyn’s Cove is a coconut palm fringed beach, which is ideal for swimming and sun basking. This beach is good to chill out in the evening, water sports facility also available here. Do not miss the Japanese bunkers here, which were built during World War II by the Japanese Army. It is located approximately 7Km south of town and it shouldn’t take more than half an hour to get there. It’s an amazing beach and one of the top tourist attractions in Port Blair.^[18]

Barren Islands: Barren Island located in the Andaman Sea is the only confirmed active volcano in South Asia,^[19] and the only active volcano along a chain of volcanoes from Sumatra to Myanmar.^[20] It is a part of the Indian Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and lies about 138 km northeast of the territory's capital, Port Blair. The waters surrounding Barren Island are reputed to be among the world's top scuba diving destinations. Major attractions here are the crystal clear visibility, Manta Rays, interesting basalt formations, topography of past lava flows and fast growing coral gardens. This dive destination is remote but can be accessed by either a live aboard ship or with scuba-operators based at Havelock Island.^[21]

Diglipur: Diglipur is the largest town of North Andaman Island, in the Andaman Archipelago, India. It is located on the southern side of Aerial Bay, 298 kilometres north of Port Blair. It is crossed by the Kalpong River, the only river of the Andaman islands. Saddle Peak, the highest point in the archipelago (731 meter), lies about 10 km to the south.

Red Skin Island: Red Skin Island can be reached in a boat from Wandoor jetty. It takes about 45 mins to reach. The place is clean and one can have a good glass bottom boat experience. Take a long drive to the Wandoor Jetty passing by lush green forests, and flourishing mangroves before you set sail to Red Skin Island. Spend your day swimming in the ocean and exploring corals that start at a mere depth of 3-4 metres – this trip to Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is everything divine and more. Red Skin island is not be open throughout the year as it is protected for live corals. When the Red Skin buoy island is closed for visitors, usually Jolly Buoy island will be opened for visitors. So at any time of the year, either of the one islands is opened for visitors. Visitors are not allowed to carry any plastic items on the island.

History

First inhabitants: The earliest archaeological evidence documents some 2,210 years. However, genetic and cultural studies suggest that the indigenous Andamanese people may have been isolated from other populations during the Middle Paleolithic, which ended 30,000 years ago.^[22] Since that time, the Andamanese have diversified into linguistically and culturally distinct, territorial groups.

The Nicobar Islands appear to have been populated by people of various backgrounds. By the time of European contact, the indigenous inhabitants had coalesced into the Nicobarese people, speaking a Mon-Khmer language; and the Shompen, whose language is of uncertain affiliation. Both are unrelated to the Andamanese, but being closely related to the Austroasiatic languages in mainland Southeast Asia.

Danish colonial period and British rule: The history of organised European colonisation on the islands began when settlers from the Danish East India Company arrived in the Nicobar Islands on 12 December 1755. On 1 January 1756, the Nicobar Islands were made a Danish colony, first named New Denmark,^[23] and later (December 1756) Frederick's Islands (Frederiksøerne). During 1754–1756 they were administrated from Tranquebar (in continental Danish India). The islands were repeatedly abandoned due to outbreaks of malaria between 14 April 1759 and 19 August 1768, from 1787 to 1807/05, 1814 to 1831, 1830 to 1834 and gradually from 1848 for good.^[24]

From 1 June 1778 to 1784, Austria mistakenly assumed that Denmark had abandoned its claims to the Nicobar Islands and attempted to establish a colony on them,^[25] renaming them Theresia Islands.^[26]

In 1789 the British set up a naval base and penal colony on Chatham Island next to Great Andaman, where now lies the town of Port Blair. Two years later the colony was moved to Port Cornwallis on Great Andaman, but it was abandoned in 1796 due to disease.

Denmark's presence in the territory ended formally on 16 October 1868 when it sold the rights to the Nicobar Islands to Britain,^[27] which made them part of British India in 1869.

The Cellular Jail was a colonial prison used to exile political prisoners.

In 1858 the British again established a colony at Port Blair, which proved to be more permanent. The primary purpose was to set up a penal colony for criminal convicts from the Indian subcontinent. The colony came to include the infamous Cellular Jail.

In 1872 the Andaman and Nicobar islands were united under a single chief commissioner at Port Blair.

World War II:

During World War II, the islands were practically under Japanese control, only nominally under the authority of the Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind of Subhash Chandra Bose. Bose visited the islands during the war, and renamed them as "Shaheed-dweep" (Martyr Island) and "Swaraj-dweep" (Self-rule Island).

Japanese military delegation salute Lieutenant Colonel Nathu Singh, commanding officer of the Rajput Regiment, following their surrender of the Islands, 1945 CE.

General Loganathan, of the Indian National Army was made the Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. On 22 February 1944 he along with four INA officers—Major Mansoor Ali Alvi, Sub. Lt. Md. Iqbal, Lt. Suba Singh and stenographer Srinivasan—arrived at Lambaline Airport in Port Blair. On 21 March 1944 the Headquarters of the Civil Administration was established near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar. On 2 October 1944, Col. Loganathan handed over the charge to Maj. Alvi and left Port Blair, never to return.^[28]

Japanese Vice Admiral Hara Teizo, and Major-General Tamenori Sato surrendered the islands to Brigadier J A Salomons, commander of 116th Indian Infantry Brigade, and Chief Administrator Mr Noel K Patterson, Indian Civil Service, on 7 October 1945, in a ceremony performed on the Gymkhana Ground, Port Blair.

Post-Independence (1947 CE – present)

During the independence of both India (1947) and Burma (1948), the departing British announced their intention to resettle all Anglo-Indians and Anglo-Burmese on these islands to form their own nation, although this never materialized. It became part of India in 1950 and was declared as a union territory of the nation in 1956.^[29]

India has been developing defense facilities on the islands since the 1980s. The islands now have a key position in India's strategic role in the Bay of Bengal and the Malacca Strait.^[30]

Chola empire period

Rajendra Chola I (1014 to 1042 AD), used the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a strategic naval base to launch an expedition against the Sriwijaya Empire (Indonesia). The Cholas called the island Ma-Nakkavaram ("great open/naked land"), found in the Thanjavur inscription of 1050 AD. European traveller Marco Polo (12th–13th century) also referred to this island as 'Necuverann' and a corrupted form of the Tamil name Nakkavaram would have led to the modern name Nicobar during the British colonial period.^[31]

History from Baban Phaley

Note: This text is from book by Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, pp.5-35

An Introduction

[p.5]: It has the isles for an easel a pantheor of gods forinspiration, and all of nature for its matchless palette. Its magnetic Charishma makes one dump and Speechles at its splendidness. Nature has created some of the most exquisite scenario making it look-heavenly, vivid, varid and prevaded by a rare and enduring beauty.

An archipelago of 572 Islands, covering an area of 8249 Sq. km, are spread over about 780 km. from north to south in Bay of Bengal. The Andaman group of islands is 219 miles in length, its extreme width, however is nowhere more than 32 miles. The most important islands in the group are the three Andaman islands north middle and south Andaman - popularly known as Great Andaman. These three islands are separated from one another by narrow straits.

Port Blair is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. These pristine islands are located far from the mother country, but within the close quarters with some of the South-East Asian countries like Jawa, Sumatra, Indonesia. Port Blair is linked either by the road or by sea route to all the 38 inhabited islands.

According to the belief, the Andaman and Nicobar group of islands, also known as the Bay island, which lie in the Bay of Bengal, once formed Part of a continuous mountain range, stretching in a curve from cape Negrais in Burma to Achin Head in Sumatra; cape Negrais was itself in the nature of an extension of the Arakan Hill range which in then, is one of a series of ranges that run down the Eastern Himalayas.

The scenery every where on the Andamans is beautiful, at time breath takingly so. While flying in an aeroplane one multiple range of hills look as though daubed by a brush dipped in lavender; the sea of listens in all the shade of blue and green, and some of the coral beds in the innumerable bays that are a prominent feature of the landscape Shimmer in all the colour of the rainbow. The coastline is heavily indented, thus providing many a natural harbour. There are tidal creeks a plenty. There is greenery everywhere as these islands are covered with dense forest. The land is hilly with considerable ups and down.

Coconut, arecanuts, spices are important commercial crops. Rubber plantation is all being taken up in these islands. Papaya, Cashew, Lemon, Orange, Pineapple, Sapota, Jack fruit, Banana, Watermelon, Sugarcane etc, are the other products of this island.

The climate of these islands is distinctly tropical. The average rainfall is 3180 m.m. Rainy season would be about five or six months in a year i.e. May to October remains the mansoon period. There are no, wild animals in these forests. Sometimes a threat to the human life is caused by the aboriginals, who attack the civilised people with their bows and arrows. To

[p.6]: prevent such occurrences and to ensure safety to the life of the people, Government has set up a special police called Bush police. Elephant is the main source of transportation to bring the logs from the interiors of the forests to the roadside. The elephants are trained to do their work with efficiency. There is, also a government saw mill in Chatham. It is one of the biggest saw mill in Asia.

There are number of important creeks in these islands, which help to link the islands with one another through ferry services. Boats small or big and buses ply between these islands and Port Blair. Baratang - Kadamtala Errata is very beautiful creek and other creek is in between Mayabunder and Kalighat. Either side of the creeks is covered with lush green mangrove forests. It is very thrilling to sail on small boats in the creeks. The sight of the Dolphins and when they swim along with the sailing boat is worth seeing. Such sights are often found in Mayabunder or Nicobar routes.

The tourist enjoy all these national scenarios underneath the water through specially fabricated glass bottomed fiber boats. They carry a number & unforgettable sweet memories of those beautiful captivating islands.

Historical Background

Origin of name: Andaman and Nicobar Islands has great historical background. Legendary saying goes that the name Andaman owes its origin to the Malays, who have known the islands from time immemorial, since the islands provided them with slaves. They used to sail across the seas, capture some of the aborigins and give them away as slaves in trade. The Malays called them the islands of Handuman because that is how they pronounced the name of Handuman in Ramayana, one great classic, and Handuman eventually became Andaman.

Clandius Pkolemaeus, popularly known as Ptolemy, the great geographer of the [[Roman empire], located these islands in his maps in the 2nd century. Ptolemy, who lived in Alexandria, However, described these islands as islands of the cannibals.

Reference of these islands is found in the writings of Itsing, the Chinese traveller who, sailing on a Persian ship, started on a voyage to India in 672 AD. He referred to the islands as Andaban and described the inhabitants as cannibals. In 870's A.D. two Arab travellers visited these islands. Describing these islands and their people they wrote:

"The people who inhabit the coast eat human flesh absolutely raw.

They are dark, have fury hair, frightful faces and eyes, enormous feet, almost elbow-length, and they go about naked. They have no boats and if they had they would be eating all passers by they could get hold of."

Marco Polo a citizen of Venice who passed by these islands during the course of his travels in AD 1260. In an account of his travels, he spoke

[p.7]: of Andaman as a 'very big island', and gave brief description of the inhabitants of these islands.

Friar Odoric, a passer by in 1322 described the people of the Andamans as a dog-faced and Cannibals. In the early 15th century,

Nicoldra Conti "Visited" the Andamans. He had followed the roads and routes of the east from Demascus to Indo-China during the year 1414-39. He said that "the inhabitants of these islands tear strangers to pieces and devour them. The myth continued till even as late as in 1625, because Master Caesar Frederike, who published his eighteen years- Indian observations in that year.

It was not till the East India Company started taking a certain amount of interest in these islands that the world, for the first time began to learn with a certain amount of accuracy about the inhabitants of Andaman and about its other aspects.

Sir Henry Yule, who wrote a commentary on Macro Polo, has suggested that Angamanian, the name. Marco Polo used, is an Arabic dual indicating the two Andaman's the Great one and the little one. Some trace the origin of the word Angaman to Ptolemy who described them as the islands of good fortune, and hence the forms Angaman, Agdaman and ultimately Andaman.

Nicolo Conti, in an attempt to give the word Andaman a meaning, called it "The island of Gold", whereas in the great Tanjore inscriptions of AD 1050, the islands appear to be mentioned under the translated name Timaitture, which means the islands of impurity - perhaps because they were considered the abode of cannibals.

Origin Nicobar: There is less mystery about the name Nicobar, because through the centuries the Nicobar islands have often been referred to as the land of "the naked people". I Tsing described them as lojen-kue, which means "Land of naked people".

The Arab travellers called them Lakhabalus or Najabulus, which was perhaps a mistranscription of some form of Nicobar, because it also means land of the naked. In the Tanjore inscriptions they are mentioned as Nakkavaram, which translates as "Land of the naked". Marco Polo's Necuveran (AD 1292), Rashiduddin's Nakawaram (AD 1300) and Friar Odoric's Nicoveran (AD 1322) are obviously lineal ancestors of the 15th and 16th century portugese Nacabar and Nicabar and the modern Nicobar.

Before the discovery of the cape of good hope, there does not appear to have been much contact between European and the Nicobaris. But once the sea route was open, European expeditions to the far East became quite frequent, and the Nicobar chain of island fell en route, as it were.

In 1556, Captain Fredrick touched the shores of one of the Nicobar islands. After him, many years later in 1601 (during the reign of queen Elizabeth I) Sir James Lancaster, who was on his way to the spice islands in

[p.8]: command of an East India company ship paid a visit to these islands. He was followed by a spanish missionary, fathers Dominic Fernandes, while on a voyage from Malacca to Madras.

In 1695, John Francis Gommeli an Italian doctor, also landed somewhere in the Nicobars, While voyaging round the world. He wrote: "The island pays an annual tribute of a certain number of human bodies to the island of Andaman, to be eaten by the natives of it. These brutes rather than men. When they have wounded an enemy .... run greedily to suck the blood that runs."

An organised attempt was made for the first time by Faure and Taillandiers, two French Jesnits who belonged to the french society of Jesus landed in Great Nicobar, in order to convert the "natives". They were only able to convert one or two of their servants.

Till India achieved Independence in 1947 many missionaries came over to these islands. To an extent missionaries were successful in carrying out their objective.

As a result today almost ninety percent of the Nicobarese population belongs to the Christian community. There exists the Administrative Secretariat. The Lieutenant Governor is the Administrative Head of these Islands. Port Blair is linked either by the road or by sea route to all the 38 inhabited Islands. There are some other important places such as Rangat, Mayabunder, Diglipur, Car Nicobar. Nancowry and Great Nicobar (Campbell Bay). Great Nicobar is the southern most Islands which is about 540 kilometers away from port Blair. Indira point, is the last point of Indian territory. International sea-route goes here and it acts as a guiding point to the far going ships. The colourful corals of various kinds and the aboriginal tribes of these Islands have been a haunting pleasure for the tourists. Ecologically Andaman and Nicobar Islands are safe from pollution.

There is greenery everywhere as these islands are covered with dense forests. The land is hilly with considerable ups and down. Coconut, Arecanut, Spice are important commercial crops. Rubber plantation is also being taken up in these Islands. Papaya, Cashew, Lemon. Orange, Pineapple. Sapotal, Jack fruit, Babiana, Watermelon, Sugarcane etc. are the other products of this Island. Paddy is the prime and important crop of these Islands.

History - Prior Independence

Baban Phaley^[32] writes.....Governor General of India Lord Cornwallis was very much interested to establish colony in these Islands. The East India Company decided to establish a colony on the Andamans. In the year 1788 A.D. Lt. Archibold Blair was appointed by the East India Company to survey the Andaman Sea. Lt. Archibald Blair reached Andamans in the year 1789 A.D. He

[p.9]: stayed here along with many peoples and named the Port after the name of the present Governor General Lord Cornwallis.

In the 1790 A.D. Admiral Cornwallis brother of Governor General Lord Cornwallis found the Islands suitable for the establishment of permanent Naval headquarters. Capt. Archibald Blair was also himself lonely interested by this beautiful and natural safe harbour to establish naval unit at this juncture. Capt. Kid of the Engineering Department of the Army was appointed as a Superintendent at this place. Capt. Kid went to this Head Office of the East India Company at Calcutta and returned with some prisoners for colony.

Due to very bad weather conditions and the existence of damp dense forest breeding of mosquitoes was in abundance it resulted to cause malaria and many people lost their life. By 1796 A.D. the situation was so worst that the people were bound to leave the place. In spite of these difficulties British Empire were very keen to retain their sovereignty over these Islands. There was proposal for making it a penal settlement and study of the Mineral Wealth of the Islands.

After revolt of 1857 against the British Empire, the Britishers started to establish this sectors. British Government has decided to shift the revolutionaries in such remote Islands as open prisoners. It is now an established fact that the Penal Settlement was established only for the Freedom Fighters.

Port Cornwallis had been renamed Port Blair by the end of the Eighteenth Century in recognition of the services rendered by Capt. Archibald Blair.

Capt. Henery Man, executive Engineer and Jail Superintendent in Meulmein (Burma) was specially sent to Port Blair to formally inaugurate the Penal Settlement. Accordingly on 22nd January 1858 he hoisted the Union Jack of British Empire on the Andaman Islands. Dr. James Petition Walker was, the first Jail Superintendent, an Indian Doctor, an overseer, 50 Sailors and 200 prisoners, the ship sailed from Calcutta on 4th March, 1858 and reached Port Blair on 10th March 1858. There was no proper arrangement for the boarding and lodging of the prisoners. However, the food and other material etc. reached Port Blair on 20th March by the ship 'Semirarni'. Dr. Walker started cleaning operations on the small Islands of Chatham. There was acute problem of drinking water. Dr. Walkar set his headquarter on Ross Island. Small scale deforestation was carried on to establish headquarter on Ross Island. The task of cutting and clearing such jungles was given to the revolutionary freedom fighters of 1857. Most of these prisoners belonged

[p.10]: to the rich and well to do section of the Indian society like Zamindars, Nawabs, Writers, Poets etc. who had number of servants to work for them at their home. Andaman jungle was full of hostile and violent aborigines tribal, called Andamanies and Jarawas.

The task of finding the names of all great freedom fighters record due to this Andaman and Nicobar occupation by Japan during the period from 23rd March 1942 to 24th Oct. 1945. And they also destroyed all English records of the Freedom fighters of 1857 A.D. and after over.

Work on the construction of a prison wall at Viper Island was completed in 1867 under the strict discipline in the Penal Settlement. Convicts found guilty of violating the rules of Penal Settlement were put in fetters and had to work their fetters on. It was therefore called Viper Chain Gang Jail. Till the year 1869 the Penal Settlement remained under the control of the Chief Commissioner Burma. After which it was taken over by the Govt, of India.

The English Government developed Ross Island as the Headquarters. The Government decorated the Headquarters with beautiful potential houses, Church, Club, playground for Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Swimming pools and other facilities. This was exclusively reserved for Britishers and Army Personnels.

The Primitive tribals planned to attack on the Penal Settlement at Aberdeen Basti of Port Blair. This proves that the freedom fighter were sent to the Andamans without any prior arrangement and the Living conditions were not fit for human beings. Fresh freedom fighters always created big problems. The government then decided to construct a new cellular jail spread in seven wings like the Lotus flower, an unique, three storied jail for the first time in India was built at Port Blair, 698 cells (rooms) of this jail were specifically built for the solitary confinement of the political prisoners. The room in which a prisoner was kept for solitary confinement was called cell. This was, therefore given the name of "Cellular Jail." In the middle of the jail there was a central tower only one guard on duty could supervise all seven wings of the Jail at a time.

Andaman, Nicobar and Great Nicobar

Forwards the end of the 18th century the British rules of India were looking for a suitable site where they could set up a penal settlement or colony for convicts, found suilty of most heinous offences by judges of the continent of India. The suitability of Andaman Islands for the purpose was left to the discretion of two outstanding explorers Captain Blair, one of the early hydrographers of East India company and colonel Colebrooke the then surveyor General of India. On their recommendation the first settlement was set up in the Andamans at Port Blair. This however was abolished in 1796 A.D.

[p.11]: In the year 1857 A.D. the then Governor General, Lord Canning ordered a fresh expedition to the Andamans under his close friend, Frederic J. Mount, Inspector of Indian Jails, who is the author of 'The Andaman Islanders.' He was on tour and assignment of this Islands set Jail for the Island in a large steamer 'Pluto' a ship of Royal Navy accompanied by a complement of officers, a large natine crew and twelve Europeans, duly equipped with sufficient provisons and armaments.

Mr. Mount made a most detailed survey of the entire group of Islands and came to the ultimate conclusion that Port Blair, was the only appropriate place for an ideal compact settlement. A new land-locked harbour, which was later christened by lord canning as Port Mount, was discovered by the author.

Mr. Mount has left a most interesting account of the aboriginal inhabitants of these Islands which is unrivalled as one of the most authentic documents ever written on the Andaman Islands and their natives.

Port Cornwallis was visited colonel Symes on his way to Ava in 1795 A.D. In the absence of colonel Kyd, the governor of the settlement, he was received by captains Ramsay and Stakoli. In the evening, colonal Symos and the party accompanying him were conducted over the grounds that had been cleared in the Chatham Island.

In March, 1792 Blair reports "that the settlement has been so healthy as to have suffered no injury from the temporary absence of the surgeon" who had been to Calcutta on leave, and "the natives have been perfectly inoffensive for a long time, and are becoming every day more familiar - they seem now convinced that our intentions towards them are pacific."

In meantime Captain Alexander Kyd, of the corps of engineers was nominated superintendent, and was to be assisted by a subaltern officer of the same corps, the settlement was to be garrisoner by one or two companies of Sepoys. Four vessels were to be fitted out for the conveyance. Of artificers, stoves and C, to the new settlement, and the whole were to be under the orders of Blair, until he was relieved by captain Kyd. The Governor Senoral at the same time expressed the satisfaction of himself and his council at the conduct of Blair and declared that "his attention and abilities in the management of our first settlement at the Andamans claim our warm approbation" Again Blair left Calcutta in the vessels Union with the Juno, Cornwallis and Seahorse. On the 4th December, 1792, these vessels, as has been before mentioned carried artificers, a variety of stores and materials and settlers, to the number of 360, with six months provisions for the whole. Commodore Cornwallis arrived at the settlement in the 'MINERVA' on the 1st of December 1792 A.D.

On 5th July 1858, lieutenant Temple of the Indian Navy on duty. Three canoes were seized by templer and several huts of Andamanese

[p.12]: destroyed by his men. In these action five or six Andamanese were killed. Three attacks on the settlement were made by the Aborigines within a short period of five weeks during April and May, 1859 A.D.

Captain Hanghton, superintendent of Port Blair from Oct. 1859 to May 1862 attached much importance to the establishment of friendly relations with the Andamanese. He laid down certain rules for the guidance of the officers and convicts regarding contact with the aborigines.

Carbyn was given the charge of this establishment which came to be known as 'Andaman Home'. In a short time Corbyn persuaded 28 aborigines to live in the Andaman home. Carbyn submitted three exhaustive narrations of the expeditions undertaken by him from June, 1863 to Feb, 1864. In these narratives he also reported on the progress of the Andaman Home.

Mr. E. H. Man officer incharge of the aborigines of the Andaman from 1874 to July 1879. He was the first man to make a systematic study of the Andamanese during his stay in the Andamans.

Portman remained in charge of the 'Andaman Homes' from 10th July 1879 to 1900 excepting for five brief intervals when he was on leave.

Von Eickstedt has, therefore, rightly observed that "The Andaman Home was the door of death to the Andamanese race."

There are practically no hopes of revival of the tribes who were friendly to the British. Hence the failure of the British policy towards the Andamanese is beyond any doubt and the above contention seems to be an after thought. This failure of the British policy in the Andamans has bean conditionally admitted by Bonmington, a British officer of the Andaman establishment. In his opinion the well meaning attempt to civilise the Andamanese were contrary to the experience "According to him," local history and general experience elsewhere clearly showed that once a contact with civilisation is established the dying out of a primitive race like the Negrito is apt to follow in due course."

One Doctor Mouat's nomination, James Pettison Walker, an experienced superintendent of Jails was selected to be the first superintendent to the penal settlement at Port Blair. Mr. Walker arrived in the settlement on 10th March, 1858 A.D. with four British officers and 733 convicts. He cleared the forest in Chatham Island and started clearing the forests near Port Blair. He fixed headquarters at Ross Island, where they have been ever since.

In March, 1868, colonel H. Man who had ten years ago, founded the settlement was appointed as Superintendent of Port Blair.

Major General D. M. Stewart was appointed as Supertintendent of the Andamans & Nicobar then Mr. Donald Stewart became the first Chief Commissioner of the Andaman & Nicobar Island.

Andaman's pride possession

Baban Phaley^[33] writes..... [p.13]: Nature has showered its blessings on these islands. It creates an heavenly delicacy and aroma. It has rich Wealth of vegetation. According to C.E. Parkinson "from the water's edge to the tops of the highest hills, the islands are nearly every where densely wooded." He went on to add that the effect of the luxuriant and varied foliage is bewildering.

There is a preponderance of evergreen trees in the Andaman forests, but they are generally heavily laden with climbers. Occasion-ally, one also finds glades of bamboo. There are creepers all over. The timber is plentiful and of many varieties. According to the imperial Gazetteers (1906), the timber could, for commercial purposes; be divided into three classes.

Category-1: Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides), Kokko (Albizia lebbeck), Black Chuglam (Terminalia manii), Marble Wood (Diospyros marmorata), Satin Wood (Murraya exotica), White Chuglam/Silver Grey (Terminalia bialata), Teak (Tectona grandis).

Category-2 : Pyinma (Lagerstroemia Flos Regina), Bombway (Terminalia procera), Chui (Sageraea elliptica), Lakuch (Artocarpus lacucha), Lalchini (Calophyllum soulattri), Pongyet and Thitmin (Podocarpus neriifolius).

Category-3: Didu (Bombax insigne), Ywegyi, Toungpeiagri, Gurjan (Dipterocarpus spp.). Added more species ...Badam (Terminalia procera), Jungli Am, Yewji, Ye-Padauk/Pani Padauk (Bischofia javanica), Nabbe ( Lannaea coromandelica), Buglam, Posa.

Category-4: Red Dhup (Parishia insignis), White Dhup (Canarium euphyllum), Papita (Pterocymbium tinctorium), Bakota (Endospermum malaccense), Lambapathi (Sideroxylon longipetiolatum), Kadam, Thitpok.

The variety and wealth of the flora found in the Andaman islands is evident from the fact that Parkinson deals with as many as 650 plants in his book: Of them, he thinks, are indigenous to the islands and the rest perhaps introduced from outside at some stage.

Along the coastline, and also in the vegetation that borders it, there is a great variety of flora. Just behind some of the white sandy beaches, which dazzle when the sun shines bright the growth is often luxuriant. Where there is no foreshore, the mangrooves grow thick and in great profusion. When the tide is high they get submerged in the sea, looking as though they are growing out of it. In areas which line the top of the beaches, there grows a kind of tree which has fleshy leaves and fan like flowers in shape. There are hibiscus shrubs also, with branches stretching right into the sea. Then there are thickets of Pandanus, the fragrantj screw-pine. When the Pandanus is in bloom, it is really ilslght for the goods.

Just behind the fringe, where the shrubs grow, there are tree some tall, others not so tall. There is a tree with hibiscus like flowers, which blooms only at night. There is also an abundance of orchids all over the island. But the palm tree's are a different story. They are not only economically valuable but exceedingly beautiful. In addition, there are large clumps of Casuarina, and great fern trees. All along the coast grow a shrub known in botanical terms as barringtonia speciosa. Its leaves are large & shiny and it has a crimson - tipped tassel like blossom. There are some climbing species of the bamboo, but hardly any of the tall variety. Mangosteer, cinnamon and pepper grow wild. And so does the betel palm, which provides the areca- nut. There are large number of milky climbers to be seen every where.

In the animal kingdom, there are none that are of a dangerous variety. The Andamans have the pig, the wild cat and the iguana. There are plenty of snakes,

[p.14]: some of them poisonous. They include the cobra, the hamadryad, the blue krait, the sea snakes and two species of pitvipers. In Andaman is also found the green lizard (Phelfuma andamans). Incredibly enough, the only other place where this green lizard is found is Madagascas.

In the field of zoology, there are the coral reefs, which are very extensive.

There is also the sea-cucumber (repang) and, of course, the birds' nests (another gourmand's delight), which are of fine quality.

Lieutenant Archibald Blair, who surveyed the islands, has described one of the birds - nest cares which he saw. He described:

The principal cave is situated at the south point of strait island (in Diligent strait), which is rocky but not exceeding forty feet in height. The entrance, which is washed by the tide, is an irregular aperture of about six feet wide, and the same height. On advancing thirty or forty feet, the height diminishes to four feet, and the breadth increases to twenty. Here it is rather dark, and very warm, and the top and sides of the cave are covered with nests; an astonishing number of birds twittering and on the wing, whisking past the ears and eyes. This, contrasting with the melancholy noise of the waves resounding through the gloomy cavern, formed a very uncommon and interesting scene.

The nest are neither of animal nor vegetable, but of a mineral substance. There are also any number of cattle bones ornamental shells and tortoise shells in the Andaman islands. Marine zoology in the Nicobars is very similar to that of the Andamans, except that pearl and pearl oysters are known to exist there.

Of the birds most commonly seen are two kinds of pigeons -the Nicobar pigeon and the pied imperial pigeon. A very pretty bird, its feet are plum coloured, its head and neck a shade of delicate grey, and the tail, which is somewhat stumpy and hidden by the wings absolutely snow white. Its hackle and the rest of the plumage is a metallic green, which glistens in the sunshine. The pied imperial pigeon is arboreal and lives on fruit. Its overall colour is creamy white, but its flying feathers and the tip of the tail which is broad, is of a jet - black tint.

One of the most remarkable and rare - birds found in great Nicobar is the megapode. Amazingly enough, it is an Australian bird, and the only other regions where it is found are the Philippines and North West Borneo, the nearest being Lombok island, off Bali, 1800 miles away. It is so bigger than a domestic fowl. It lay eggs as large as that of a goose, but on a hillock fashioned out of alluvial soil.

Lapping the shores of these many islands, is what not only the islanders but we too, in the rest of the country, could eat by way of sea ford. Apart from tuna, the varieties of fish that are to be found all around include sardines, anchovies, barracuda, beaked fish, sees fish, mullet the sea perch, silver bellies, catfish, pomfreat and hilsa. Besides, there are sharks and the rays. There is also a plenty of prawns, but what is available in plenty though not seen at anyone's table since the departure of the British are lobsters, crabs and oysters.

Flora of Andaman-Nicobar Islands

Note: Following content is from Flora of Andaman-Nicobar Islands, pp.5-9 by Botanical Survey Of India, 1999

The rich natural vegetation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands can be broadly classified as tropical evergreen. Balakrishnan (1989) has dealt with the vegetation and floristics and based on the proximity of the sea and salinity of the soil, the vegetation is placed into two types as Littoral and Inland types.

Andaman Islands : The forests are further classified as follows:

A. Littoral: 1. Mangrove forests, 2. Strand (or Beach) vegetation, 3. Tidal or Swamp forests.

B. Inland: 1. Evergreen forests, 2. Deciduous forests, 3. Grasslands, 4. Hydrophytic vegetation.

A. Littoral:

1. Mangrove forests: The irregular and deeply indented coastline of these islands results in innumerable creeks, bays and estuaries which facilitate the development of rich and extensive mangrove forests. The mangroves develop well in areas which are covered with brackish water during high tides, protected against heavy wave action and somewhat sheltered from high winds. They prefer clayey soil. They are found in large areas in Austin, Strait (North Andamans), Bomlungta and Charulungta (Middle Andamans), Baratang, Havelock and Wrafter creeks (South Andamans) and Little Andaman.

The mangrove vegetation is evergreen and simple in structure varying from 6 to 24 m in height. In some places like Baratang, Austin and Strait Islands the species Rhizophora apiculaia and Bruguiera umnorrhiza may attain size of 50 cm in diameter and 50 m in height. With light green foliage and almost uniformly sized, the mangroves from an easily discernible transitional zone between the forests on land and the open sea. Considered to be one of the most important surviving formations in the world, mangroves in Andaman & Nicobar islands are estimated to occupy l, 15,000 h i.e. 11.5 per cent of the territory of which 50,000 h are in the Andaman group. Their stilt roots anchoring the plants and the upwardly turned breathing roots enable them to thrive the pull and push of the tides, the limitations of the waterlogged slush and the salinity gradients of the creeks. Seedlings are nurtured on parent trees until they are capable of securing independent existence. The mangrove creeks are plentiful of organic detritus which nourishes a wide variety of marine fauna viz. fishes, prawns and marsh crocodiles.

The most common trees are Rhizophora mucronata, R. conjugata, Bruguiera umnorrhiza, B. parviflora and Ceriops tagal. Avicennia marina is frequent forming small patches. Some of the less common species are Lumnitzera littorea, L. racemosa, Aegiceras corniculatum, Excoecaria agallocha and Xylocarpus granatum. Nypafruitcans is a palm found in the mangrove forests. The mangrove fern Acrostichum aureum is associated with Acanthus ilicifolius.

2. Strand vegetation: The vegetation occupying the sandy coastal belt exhibits several species of plants. These include herbaceous dune formations on the open beach and wooded beach forests towards the interior. In the sandy beach, found along the coast, the foregound is marked by Ipomoea pes-caprae, Cassytha filiformis, Vigna marina and Phyla nodiflora. Immediately behind these plants are a number Of littoral shrubs. Scaevola sericea is seen fringing the coast as a green hedge, especially in Little Andamans.

Behind the dense growth Of Scaevola sericea are other shrubby plants like Ximena americana, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Colubrina asiatica, Caesalpinia crista, Desmodium umbellatum and Crinum asiaticum. Mucuna gigantea is a common climber.

Along retreating coasts, the dominant tree is Barringtonia asiatica which is often associated with trees like Guettæda speciosa, Calophyllum inophyllum and Pongamia pinnata and shrubs like Pemphis acidula, Messershmidtia argentea, Vitex trifolia, Pandanus andamanensium and P. tectorius.

The beach forests occur behind the sand dune zone and Barringtonia formations are comprised of trees like Hernandia peltata, Thespesia populnea, Pandanus spp., Manilkara littoralis, Intsia bijuga, Syzygium samarangense, Sophora tomentosa and Glochidion calocarpum. Cycas rumphii occurs in the beach forests in large populations in North Andamans.

The herbaceous plants include Ischaemum muticum, Acalypha indica, Euphorbia hirta, Centotheca lappacea, Ophiorrhiza mungos, Aerva lanata and Cyperus kyllinga. Climbers found on the trunks of many trees include Dischidia bengalensis, D. nummularia, Pothos scandens, and Hoya. Epiphytic orchids like Dendrobium crumenatum, Luisia teretifolia, Bulbophyllum lepidum, Cybidium aloifolium, Eria andamanica and ferns like Polypodium phymatodes and Drynaria quercifolia are also common.

3. Tidal or Swamp forests: It is typically a closed everyeen forest of medium sized trees which have adapted in various ways to live on tidal mud which is permanently wet with salt water and submerged at every tide. A peculiarity of the tidal forest trees is the occurrence of special root formations, stilt roots supporting stem base, plank buttress root formations, conically thickened stem bases of small erect aerial roots emerging from the mud. These help to improve the air supply to the root system or to support and protect the trees against strong winds.

Trees like Cerbera odollam, Heritiera littoralis and Barringtonia racemosa are common in association with Ficus retusa, Cynometra ramiflora, Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea, Excoecæia agallocha, Lumnitzera racemosa, Xylocarpus granatum, Sonneratia acida and Dolichandrone rheedii. Phoenix paludosa a slender erect palm is also common. Caesalpinia crista, Derris scandens, D. heterophylla and Flagellaria indica are the common woody climbers and stragglers.

Sarcolobus carinatus, Hoya parasitica and Dischidia bengalensis are other climbers. Epiphytic orchids like Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum, Eria, etc. and ferns like Drymoglossum, Lepisorus and Asplenium grow on trunks and branches of the trees.

B. Inland:

1. Evergreen forests: These represent the climax vegetation with a close compact community of diverse tropical plants. The canopy is closed and consists of three storeys. There is little sunlight penetrating to the forest floor. The soil is composed of clayey loam with micaceous sandstones below.

The vegetation is mainly composed of tall trees laden with lianas and other epiphytes. Dipterocarpus griffithii, D.turbinatus, Sideroxylon longipetiolatum, Hopea odorata, Endospermum malaccense, Planchonia andamanica occur in the upper storey.

The second storey consists of smaller trees like Baccaurea sapida, Myristica sp., Buchanania splendense, Randia pulcherrima, Pometia pinnata, etc. Shrubs like Clerodendrum viscosum, Leea indica, Dinochloa andamanica, Maesa andamanica, etc., occur. Amongst the climbers the common ones include Calamus longisetus, Daemonorops manii, D. kurzianus, Entada pursaetha, Mezoneuron cucullatum etc. Phragmites karka and Saccharum spontaneum occur sometimes in open places and edges of forests. Asplenium nidus and Drymoglossum piloselloides are the epiphytic ferns. Dendrobium aphyllum and D. secundum are the epiphytic orchids commonly seen.

2. Deciduous forests: Such forests occur in undulating ground on hills where the soil is comparatively dry as compared to evergreen forests. They are found in North, Middle and some parts of South Andamans. Pterocarpus dalbergioides is associated with Terminaliaprocera, bialata, T. manii, Canarium euphyllum, Parishia insignis, Albizia lebbeck etc.

The second stroey consists of small trees like Lannea coromandelica, Sageraea elliptica, Sterculia villosa (Chilka), Semecarpus kurzii etc.

The third storey is represented by Licuala spinosa, Grewia disperma, Cordia grandis, etc. Among the shrubs Actephila exelsa, Ixora grandifolia, rifthii and Rinorea bengalensis occur. Canes are sparsely distributed. ophenoaesma ungutculata anu umochloa anaamanica are common climbers.

Herbaceous vegetation is represented by Paspalum conjugatum, Echinochloa crus-galli, Dichanthium annulatum and also the fern Pteris quadriaurita. Epiphytic plants are less which include Dendrobivm aphyllum, Cymbidium aloifolium and Pholidota imbricata.

3. Grasslands: Several disturbed, deforested and denuded hillocks exhibit grasslands with Imperata cylindrica and Saccharum spontaneum as dominant species. Grasses like Heteropogon contortus, Chrysopogon aciculatus and Eragrostis unioloides are found associated with sedges like Scleria cochinchinensis and the ferns Dicranopteris linearis and Lygodium flexuosum. The herbs and undershr.ubs include Uraria lagopodioides, Desmodium heterocarpon, Triumfetta rhomboidea and Urena lobata. Large shrubby plants are rare and comprise Melastoma malabathricum and Erycibe paniculata.

4. Hydrophytic vegetation: The scarcity of natural stagnant pools, lakes, etc. results in a rather poor fresh water flora in these islands. In the few ponds and paddy fields plants like Ipomoea aquatica, Lemna perpusilla, Najas indica, Hydrilla verticillata, Nymphaea nouchali are seen. Among the fresh water marshy plants, notable ones are Ludwigia perennis, Blyxa roxlburghii, Monochoria vaginalis, Polygonum barbatum, Fuirena glomerata, Hydrophila erecta and various species of sedges.

Though related to the mainland Indian flora, the flora of the Andaman group shows much closer affinity with the [[[Myanmar]] flora while that of Nicobars have affinity towards the Sunda biogiographical zone. (p.13)

The number of commercially exploitable species has gone up from 4 in 1952 to 40 today as the post-1950 period was characterised by an increasing demand for timber within the islands and also for consumption in mainland India. In 1986 the extractions have touched cu m/ annum while it was only 49,000 cu m/annum in 1950. The logs of Pterocarpus dalbergioides (Padauk), DipteFocarpus alatus (Gurjan) and Terminalia bialata (White chuglam) have a ready market. Presently, there are as many as 34 wood- based industries in A. & N. Islands of which 3 plywood, 24 saw mills and 7 are match and pencil wood industries. The Government Saw Mill at Chatham is considered to be largest in the South East Asia employing thousands of people. (p.15-16)

Plantations: The Andaman Forest Department initiated work on Red Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantations in Little Andaman which was taken over by the Forest Plantation Development Corporation in 1980. FPDC also developed Rubber Plantations in Katchal island and there are several other proposals for more plantations in the islands. Today, the important issue is whether a unique Wpe of vegetation that now covers the island should be destroyed for the sake of a commercial crop for improving the island economy. (p.16)

Important Timber Yielding Plants (p.21-22) :

Hard wood :

Pterocarpus dalbergioides (Padauk)

Manilkara nworalis (Khari Mahua)

Albizia lebbeck (Koko)

Calophyllum soulattri (Lalchini)

Terminalia procera (White Bombway)

T. bialata (White Chuglam)

T. manii (Black Chuglam)

Artocarpus chaplasha (Toungpeinne)

Soft wood :

Dipterocarpus spp. (Gurjan)

Pterocymbium tinctorium (Papita)

Pterygota alata (Lakkov)/(Buddha coconut)

Bombax insigne (Didu)

Canarium euphyllum (Dhup)

Planchonia andamanica (Red/ Bombway)

Sideroxylon longipetiolatum (Lamba pathi)

British Penal Settlement

Baban Phaley^[34] writes.....[p.19]: The Great Mutiny, which we now describe as the first war of independence, broke out all over the country in 1857. There were thousands sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of mutineering against the government; once the mutiny had been suppressed, the question of what to do with them assumed tremendous importance. A submission was made once again to the governor general in council that a penal settlement be established in the Andamans and the mutineers transported there.

On 20 November 1857, the Govt. of India appointed a committee, which subsequently came to be known as the Andaman Committee. It was presided over by Dr. Frederic John Mouat Surgeon of the Bengal Army at that time. Other members of the committee were Dr. G. R. Playfair and lieutenant J. A. Heathcote of the Indian Navy. Their instructions were to examine the shores of the islands and select the best site which may be found there for the establishment of a penal settlement.

The committee's report was submitted to the right Honourable the governor-general in council on Jan 1858 and, within a fortnight of its submission, a decision had been taken to establish a penal settlement in the Andaman islands.

Captain Henry Man was instructed to hoist the British flag and take formal possession of the group of Andaman islands, consisting of the Great and Little Andamans and all the islands adjacent thereto in the name of Her Majesty the Queen and the East India Company.

Captain Man was vested with full judicial and executive authority throughout the Andamans on board the semiramis and the British flag was duly hoisted, with all solemnity on 22 Jan 1858. On that historic day began a new chapter in the story of the Andaman islands. And this Chapter was to last. Except during the brief period of the Japanese occupation, till 15th August 1947 another very historic day, when India achieved independence and the sun of the British empire had set for good.

Andaman- Kalapani

Baban Phaley^[35] writes..... [p.20]: Andaman was once known as Kalapani. It was a synonym for Andaman. During the British rule a considerable recognition been given to these Islands and the people of other countries came to know about these Islands through the writings of the British as well as Indian writers. But at the present juncture that "Kalapani" was become a point of attraction to the world-wide tourists.

A documentary film 'Man in Search of Man' has been filmed recently. It was directed by Mr. Prem Vaidya and it has bagged the "Best Documentary Award" from the Film Division of India. Now it is banned to display by the supreme court of India.

These islands were known as Kalapani. The name Kalaparn has become very popular mainly for two reasons- 1) It is so called because of the deep blue colour of the Andaman Sea water and (2) during the rule of the English they use to keep imprisoned very dangerous culprits and revolutionists from mainland so that they could not establish contacts with their concerned groups. The Britishers choose these Islands convenient for giving harsh punishments to such threatening elements. Thus the word Kalapani has become a synonym for rigorous punishment.

On 14th April 1788 the British Government sent Lt. Archbold Blair to survey these Isands to find out a suitable place for the settlement of the culprits and the freedom fighter. The first batch of prisoners reached these Islands on 25th October 1789 A.D. There were about 820 prisoners by the end of the year. Since there was no other way to escape from this place, the prisoners were allowed to move freely. There is sea around and hostile aboriginals in the forests. Such situation made the prisoners to confine themselves strictly to a limited area though they were free to venture.

In the beginning Chatham and viper Islands were selected and established as convict Basti. Both Islands are surrounded by sea creecks. There was shortage of drinking water, then freedom fighters shifted to Ross Island.

Aboriginal Tribes of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Baban Phaley^[36] writes..... [p.21]: The treasure of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is its primitive tribes. The four Negrito tribes of the Andaman group of Islands, who are perhaps the last remnents of the race are at different techno-economic stages. Their total number is less than one thousand. The aboriginals belong to stock of Negrito and Mongoloid:

Negrito Stock: 1. Great Andamanese, 2. Jarawas, 3. Onges, 4. Sentinelese ....Inhabited in Andamans

Mongoloid Stock: 5. Shompens, Inhabited in Great Nicobar, 6. Nicobarese.... Inhabited in Nicobar.

1. The Jarawas: Freely in the Jarawas areas, they don't kill them nor do they kill cattle. Hunting and gathering are supplemented by fishing with bows and arrows as well as small round note. Their population is estimated to be 250.

2. Sentinelese: Known as "the last bastion of the Andaman Negrito" the hostile sentinelese abode in a totally isolated small Island called North Sentinal, situated to the West of Port Blair. They are also the only successful people on the earth to retain and defend their pristine life style end territory till date, obivious of what is happening outside their world. There have been many futile attempts in the past by outsiders to meet and befriend" the Sentinelese till the momentous day of 4th Jan. 1991 when for the first time a team led by an officer and staff of the local Administration established friendly contacts with them offered gifts and mingled freely with them. However, a sense of distrust still continues, therefore it is' too premature to presume that the Sentenelese ceased hostility to the outside world. Still very little is known about their life and culture. Their number is estimated to be 250.

3. Onges: A vanishing tribe of Negrito origin the Onges inhabit the interiors of Little Andaman. Even now, very little is known of the Anthropology of the

[p.22]: Onges. Being Negritos they are the people of small stature.

The First attempt to contact the Onges, as per available records, was made in 1825 by English Naval Officer when he encountered fierce naked tribe. The encounter was bloody as were many afterwards. After this many attempts were made by the British Colonial Rulers to befriend the hostile Onge tribe, which they later succeeded. However contacts with the civilization has taken its own tool and led to changes not only in physical but also in biological adaptation leading to many diseases and loss of life. Their number has now dwindled down to 99 souls and they are very friendly.

With a view to protect them the government have settled the Onges in two settlements in Little Andaman and are provided all basic facilities.

4. The Great Andamanese: This Negrito tribe, now settled in Strait Island, which once dominated the entire South Andaman with an estimated population of 5000, is today on the brink of extinction with only 32 souls. The most serious confrontation took place on 14th May 1859, when a pitched battle called the Battle of Aberdeen was fought between the Great Adamanese with bows and arrows on the one side and the British colonial force with guns on the other side resulting in the loss of many tribals life. Their direct contact with civilised society also proved to be a curse as they picked up all vices and contracted many diseases from which they were earlier immune, causing heavy loss of life.

The Great Andamanese love personal adorment. To some extent, their ornaments have medical, magical and ritual significance. Till their contact with the civilisation around 1858 the Great Andamanese, wore nothing. However, now they have started wearing all sorts of dresses available in the market. They are Animists in their belief.

The other two tribes 'The Shompens' and 'The Nicobarese' belong to the Mongoloid stock and inhabit the Nicobar group of Island.

5. The Shompens : Belonging to Mongoloid stock, Shompens dwell in the interiors of Great Nicobar Island. They are shy and still leap a semi nomadic existence. There population is around 200.

6. Nicobares: This tribe of Mongoloid origin settled in different Islands in the Nicobar Group, is fairly well advanced. They number around 25,000.

The story of the primitive tribes in the Islands will remain a source of great interest to the scholars in the years to come as their culture dates backs to Paleaolithic Era.

[p.23]: A common misconception which is evident from the comments and write-ups of people who have never actually been to these Islands is that the Andamans ate synonymous with primitive tribes and inhabited by only tribal hotographs displayed by some overzealous publicity mongers, not out of rove for the tribe, but to market their produce, is to say the least obnoxious. As it should be known that the primitive tribe constitute less than 0.5 per cent of modern civilisation. Therefore, a visitor to these Islands should not be surprised if they do not come across even a single Negrito tribe during his entire stay in the Islands.

The Nicobarese Tribes:The term 'Nicobarese' refers to community of the indigenous people of Nicobar Islands, in general. It was given as a nomeuclature to these people living in the Nicobar group of Islands and great Nicobar. This nomenclature was given by none other but their own man, the late Nicobarese Bishop John Richardson who stands as a legend in the Nicobarese Society. He was the first native person, who named these people as the Car Nicobarese. The late Bishop was largely instrumental in malving what the Nicobarese are to day. It was his sole aim to bring about solidarity and fraternity among the people of Car Nicobar who has been living in isolated groups. It was an attempt to write them under one comprehensive term and following that there was the Late Edwin Moses and Late Henry Lawerence who followed the same line.

This attempt was again taken up by a number of other leaders of community. Thus the identity of the Nicobarese as a community was formulated.

[p.24]: The Tariks address other people especially the Nicobarese of Chowra, as Ta-oo (Ignoranus). The people of Car Nicobar Island have also coined a term for the Nicobarese as a whole Takasato, which means people wearing tiny win clothes. But nowadays they use the term Nicobarese only, instead of Tokasata which is rarely wide local people and outsiders have taken to calling the Nicobarese 'HOLCHU' without considering the meaning of this term.

'Holchu' is not a single word but a phrase in the Car Nicobarese language literally it means 'My friend' (hole-friend chu-me or mine) It is a phrase of address currently used among the Nocobarese of Car Nicobar, with almost the same sense as the phrase 'Bhai Sahib' in Hindi. In Nicobarese parlance, it is also a loose term with a wide variation in meaning. Occasionally it is used as a form of 'excuse me' when some wants to draw the attention of another.

Karen Tribe From Burma in Andaman: The Karens in the Andaman & Nicobar Island have their roots in Burma (Myanmar), therefore it will be appropriate to introduce the origin of the Karen as a tribe.

As history records, the Karens originally descended from the normal Tribe. The Mongolious branched out into three ethnic groups of which 'Karen' is one of them. There are altogether eleven Karen tribes. _

The Karen lived in their original habitat Mongolia for many years. Later they moved to East Turkistan and Chinese Turkistan in B.C. 2017. Here the Karens were ill treated and presented by King Sha Hsin, of China So in order to escape the tyranny of the King, Karens vacated that land for good in B.C. 1228 and crossed over to Tibet, Siam, Burma, Combodia and Vietnam.

The Karens migrated to Burma in the year 1125 B.C. and they were the first migratory group to arrive in Burma. From then onwards these Karenshave settled down in the Delta area and the eastern hill tracts of the then Burma. The Karens are wholly a distinct people and not identifiable with any other traditions of the Burman society.

The Nicobarese constitute the largest tribal group in A. & N. islands and most of them live in all the inhabited islands of Nicobar district. Numbering around 22,000 their greatest concentration being in Car Nicobar they have good coconut plantations and also grow tuber and fruit crops. They rear pigs,fowl, and some cattle. Physically sturdy they augment their resources by fishing in the sea with harpoons or nets cast from their traditional boats. Influenced by Christianity under the leadership of late Bishop Richardson, they are able to cope up with some of the development of an external civilisation while retaining their tribal traditional and social culture. Encouraged by the Church and Civil administration, about 18 per cent of them are literate. Several studies are available on the life, customs, habits, house construction and boat making skills of the peace loving Nicobarese. (Flora of Andaman-Nicobar Islands,p.4)

War of Abardeen (17th May 1859 A.D.)

Baban Phaley^[37] writes..... [p.34]: He served in 14th Indian Regiment. He was sent to Andamans for life term as he participated in 1857 mutiny, Doodhnath Tiwari arrived at Port Blair on 6th April 1858 AD. He was in Anelgum open jail for 2 years and days. Along with some other prisoners escaped from the jail. Aga was leader of this mission of 90 convicts to way ofBurma. They moved on and into the jungle. They were just out of one danger, but there was yet one of them waiting for them - the aboriginals who were very hostile to the civilised people. They attacked them with their poisonous arrows and bows. They were all killed in the attack. Only three were survived and one of them was Doodhnath Tiwari. His begging and appeal for life evoked some sympathy in the heart of their chief. Consequently Doodhnath was carried away to their camp and was made naked. Red clay was smeared all over his body and thus became a member of the tribe. It took long time for Doodhnath to win their faiths. Later he was married to two girls of the tribe - Leepa and Jeega.

These aboriginal tribes had planned to attack the Aberdeen Police Station on the 17th May 1859 when he learnt about the ensuing attack the police station, Doodhanath Tiwari, at the risk of his life escaped from the tribe and gave the message to the British Officer Mr. Walker. There was a fighting between the two groups and the tribes seized the station for about three hours; While returning they took away all the amunitions available the police Station.

As a result of his timely information of this attack Tiwari freed granted permission to go back to his native on mainland, But this treacherous act of a so-called civilized one has grown deep rooted hatred in the hearts of the aboriginals. It shattered their fail on the civilized society and they became violent. Whenever they saw anyone, they attack with their arrow and bows ferociously! The Government is taking every possible step establish friendly relations with them.

Bishop John Richardson "Father of Nicobar Tribe"

Baban Phaley^[38] writes..... [p.35]: Bishop John Richardson, the recipient of Bharatvibhushan is called the father of modern Nicobar. He was born in 1884 in Mus village, Car Nicobar. He was sharp minded since his childhood. He completed primary education in his village school later he was appointed as an agent of Indian Christian Mission in Car Nicobar. He was sent to Mandaley in Burma to get his religious education and training. He started his career as a preacher and as a social reformer. He toured village to village preaching Christianity and thus showed them the paths of knowledge and enlightenment. Later on, he became a Bishop.

As a reformer he brought a remarkable change in the Nicobarese Society. People developed reasoning and thereby traditional ritual and beliefs were inspired. He started writing the Nicobari Language in Roman Script. It was transformed the sounds of the language into Roman Script for the first time. He translated the Bible into Nicobarese Language. The credit of sociological and educational development in Nicobar goes to him only. His services to the people of Nicobar were well recognised. He was nominated as the first member of the parliament. He was also called the first man of the Island.

He was honoured with Padmashree and Padmavibhushan. The University of Shrirampur conferred Doctorate upon him. He worked for the upliftment of the Nicobarese throughout his life. His incessant efforts moulded the life of these people. He was 85 when he left for his heavenly abode. As a token of love and honour they named as ship 'John Richardson.' His memories will always remain fresh in the minds of these people. Now a days developed playground in to stadium after his name 'John Richardson Stedium' at Carnicobar.

मंदर पर्वत

विजयेन्द्र कुमार माथुर^[39] ने लेख किया है ...मंदर पर्वत (AS, p.688) वाल्मीकि रामायण किष्किंधा 40,25 में सुग्रीव ने सीता के अन्वेषणार्थ पूर्व दिशा में वानर-सेना को भेजते हुए और वहां के स्थानों का वर्णन करते हुए मंदर नामक पर्वत का उल्लेख इस प्रकार किया है, 'समुद्रमवगाढांश्च पर्वतान्पत्तनानिच, मंदरस्य च ये कोटिं संश्रिता: केचिदालया:' अर्थात जो पर्वत या बंदरगाह समुद्रतट पर स्थित हों अथवा जो स्थान मंदर के शिखर पर हों (वहां भी सीता को ढूंढना). इसी श्लोक के तत्काल पश्चात द्वीप निवासी किरातों संभवत: अंडमान निवासियों का विचित्र वर्णन है. इस स्थिति में मंदर ब्रह्मदेश या बर्मा के पश्चिमी तट की पर्वत श्रेणी के किसी भाग का नाम हो सकता है.

Jat History

There is no population of Jats in Andaman Islands. As such we do not have traces of History of Jats here. But the very name of Andaman has an indirect connection with Jat History. Legendary saying goes that the name Andaman owes its origin to the Malays, who have known the islands from time immemorial, since the islands provided them with slaves. They used to sail across the seas, capture some of the aboriginals and give them away as slaves in trade. The Malays called them the islands of Handuman because that is how they pronounced the name of Hanuman in Ramayana, one great classic, and Handuman eventually became Andaman.^[40]

Hanuman of Ramayana finds mention in Jat History. Some Jat historians have treated Hanuman as a Jat warrior of Maan gotra. ^[41] Some other historians treat Vanar as a gotra of Jats found in Haryana and Punjab in India. Lord Hanuman of Ramayana was a Kshatriya of Vanar clan. He was not a monkey as is shown in Ramayana. ^[42]

Thakur Deshraj^[43] has explained about the reasons of animal depiction of people prevalent in India during Ramayana period. During that period all four varnas had come into existence in Aryan society. The duties of each varna were defined but they could change varna. Brahmans had come into a dominant position and had full control over kings and the society. Some kshatriyas like Kartaviryarjuna had become rebellious against the increased influence of Brahmans. In Sarswati ashrama a big organization under the leadership of Parsurama was constituted by Brahmans to penalize such Kshatriyas. Brahmans suppressed Kshatriyas like Kartaviryarjuna and deprived these Kshatriyas from their status. The Aryans by this time had crossed Vindhyas and were moving towards South. Vanars were inhabitants in South-west Vindhyas. Pampa Sarovar was their main center. Vanars were not monkeys but either aboriginal inhabitants of that area or people of Aryan groups who had come from Iran via Bombay and reached South of Vindhyas.

Malay (मालय) also finds mention in the list of Jat Gotras. ^[44] Malay gotra of Jats are found found in Nimach district of Madhya Pradesh and also in Sindh province of Pakistan.

Rajendra Chola I (1014 to 1042 AD), used the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a strategic naval base to launch an expedition against the Sriwijaya Empire (Indonesia). The Cholas called the island Ma-Nakkavaram ("great open/naked land"), found in the Thanjavur inscription of 1050 AD. ^[45]We have a number of Jat Clans originated from Chola dynasty. It is a matter of research to find connections of Andaman Islands with Jat History.

List of Jats connected with Andamans

Here is the partial list the Jats who were penalized by British Govt for taking part in freedom movement and sent to Andamans. Some were sent for religious preaching. List also includes officers who have served here and contributed to the development of Islands.

General Henery Man - European Jat. Baban Phaley^[46] writes.....[p.19]: The Great Mutiny, which we now describe as the first war of independence, broke out all over the country in 1857. There were thousands sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of mutineering against the government; once the mutiny had been suppressed, the question of what to do with them assumed tremendous importance. A submission was made once again to the governor general in council that a penal settlement be established in the Andamans and the mutineers transported there.

On 20 November 1857, the Govt. of India appointed a committee, which subsequently came to be known as the Andaman Committee. It was presided over by Dr. Frederic John Mouat Surgeon of the Bengal Army at that time. Other members of the committee were Dr. G. R. Playfair and lieutenant J. A. Heathcote of the Indian Navy. Their instructions were to examine the shores of the islands and select the best site which may be found there for the establishment of a penal settlement.

The committee's report was submitted to the right Honourable the governor-general in council on Jan 1858 and, within a fortnight of its submission, a decision had been taken to establish a penal settlement in the Andaman islands.

Captain Henry Man was instructed to hoist the British flag and take formal possession of the group of Andaman islands, consisting of the Great and Little Andamans and all the islands adjacent thereto in the name of Her Majesty the Queen and the East India Company.

Captain Man was vested with full judicial and executive authority throughout the Andamans on board the semiramis and the British flag was duly hoisted, with all solemnity on 22 Jan 1858. On that historic day began a new chapter in the story of the Andaman islands. And this Chapter was to last. Except during the brief period of the Japanese occupation, till 15th August 1947 another very historic day, when India achieved independence and the sun of the British empire had set for good.

Baban Phaley^[47] writes ...Capt. Henery Man, executive Engineer and Jail Superintendent in Meulmein (Burma) was specially sent to Port Blair to formally inaugurate the Penal Settlement. Accordingly on 22nd January 1858 he hoisted the Union Jack of British Empire on the Andaman Islands. Dr. James Petition Walker was, the first Jail Superintendent, an Indian Doctor, an overseer, 50 Sailors and 200 prisoners, the ship sailed from Calcutta on 4th March, 1858 and reached Port Blair on 10th March 1858. There was no proper arrangement for the boarding and lodging of the prisoners. However, the food and other material etc. reached Port Blair on 20th March by the ship 'Semirarni'. Dr. Walker started cleaning operations on the small Islands of Chatham. There was acute problem of drinking water. Dr. Walkar set his headquarter on Ross Island.

Later H. Man was Superintendent of the Indian Penal Settlement 19.3.1868-16.3.1871. ^[48]

Bhai Parmanand (4.11.1876 – 8.12.1947) was an Arya Samajist. He was part of the leadership of the revolt, and was sent to promote the revolt in Peshawar. He was arrested in connection with the First Lahore Conspiracy Case and was sentenced to death in 1915. The sentence was later commuted to one of transportation for life: he was imprisoned in the Andaman Islands until 1920 and subjected to hard labour. In protest against such harsh treatment of political prisoners, Bhai Parmanand went on hunger strike for two months. The King-Emperor, George V, released him in 1920 as the result of a general amnesty order.^[49]

Matu Ram Hooda (1865 - 1942) - Due to extensive involvement in Arya Samaj and Independence Movement, the British Government in India once decided to send Ch. Matu Ram to Kala Pani (in Andaman & Nicobar Islands) as a punishment. But due to public outcry, this action had to be taken back. When Sardar Ajit Singh (uncle of Bhagat Singh Sandhu) came to Rohtak, he stayed with Ch. Matu Ram.

Major General PK Siwach (Retired) - former Chief of Staff, Andaman & Nicobar Command, Portblair. He was from Gharwal Sonipat, a village in Gohana tehsil of Sonipat district in Haryana.

Bharat Singh IFS: Bharat Singh (Sinsinwar) (born:3.10.1930), from Bharatpur, is retired Indian Forest Service officer from Rajasthan Cadre. He was the first PCCF of Rajasthan. The Bureau of Public Enterprises Govt of India selected him as the Managing Director of the Andaman Forest Corporation at Port Blair. While working in the Andaman Forest Corporation, launched the Palm Oil, Rubber and Spice plantation Projects. On return from Andaman, he was promoted as Additional C.C.F. and CCF.

Air Marshal KK Nohwar: He retired as Vice Chief of Indian Air Force on May 30th,2012. He has served as Chief of Staff at Andaman & Nicobar Command and Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Strategic Forces Command, and as Senior Air Staff Officer at Training Command.

Brig. Kamal K. Repswal, son of Jagan Singh Repswal, is posted in Andaman. He was awarded with the Sena Medal for his excellent service.

स्वामी ओमानन्द सरस्वती : स्वामी जी महाराज का अधिकांश जीवन आर्यसमाज के प्रचार व समाज-सुधार में व्यतीत हुआ है । न केवल भारत में अपितु विदेशों में भी इन्होंने प्रचार-कार्य किया । यौवन-काल में रात्रि पाठशालायें चलाकर तथा सहभोजों का आयोजन कर तथा राष्ट्रीय कांग्रेस के मंच से स्वतन्त्रता के लिये जो महनीय उद्योग किया वह आपके जीवन का एक गौरवमय इतिहास है । सन् 1942 के बाद गुरुकुलों के माध्यम से विद्वान् स्नातक प्रचारक तैयार करने की दिशा में आप जुटे । साथ-साथ प्रचार-कार्य भी आपका चलता रहा । कई बार तो जीवन में ऐसा समय भी आया जब आपको दिन में कई-कई बार उपदेश व व्याख्यान देना होता था । देश का शायद कोई ही कोना शेष होगा जहां आप प्रचार के लिये न गये हों । यहां तक कि अण्डमान निकोबार द्वीप समूह में भी आपने 20 दिन प्रचार-कार्य किया । वहां आप प्रतिदिन कई-कई सत्संगों में बोलते थे । वहां आप 1966 ई० में गये थे । वहां के लोगों पर आपके प्रचार का इतना गहरा असर पड़ा कि आज तक वे लोग आपको बुलाते रहते हैं किन्तु अधिक व्यस्तता के कारण आप वहां पुनः नहीं जा सके परन्तु आपने वहां अपने शिष्य श्री ब्र० सत्यव्रत वसु (स्वामी सुधानन्द सरस्वती) दयानन्दमठ दीनानगर को प्रचारार्थ भेजा । उन्होंने वहां महीनों रहकर प्रचार-कार्य किया । अण्डमान निकोबार से अनेक लोगों ने उनके प्रचार-कार्य की प्रशंसा के पत्र स्वामी जी को लिखे हैं । वे अत्यधिक कर्मठ और योग्य हैं । इन्हीं को आपने अफगानिस्तान में प्रचार के लिये भेजा । इन्होंने वहां तीन मास लगातार प्रचार-कार्य किया । वहां से ये जर्मनी आदि कई योरोपीय देशों में भी प्रचार के लिये गये ।^[50]

Kuldip Singh Sheoran - IG , PTM, TM, Head of Indian Coast Guard Andaman & Nicobar Region (A&N), Port Blair

Shashi Kumar (Rathi) - IFS, done two tenures in Andamans. 1. 2001 to 2004 in ANIFPDC Ltd as GM, 2. 2012 as PCCF (WL), CWLW & Principal Secretary ( Science & Technology). 2013- 2014 as PCCF (ANI), HoD & Principal Secretary (Forest & Environment; Science & Technology)

Pratap Singh - IFS Rtd. (1985)

Dr Pradeep Chaudhary: - IFS (1986)

Shivinder Singh Sidhu (13.10.1929 – 25.10.2018) - Governor Goa (22 July 2008 to 26 August 2011). Sidhu was an IAS officer, 1952 class of the Uttar Pradesh state cadre. He served as the District Magistrate of Kanpur and subsequently as Commissioner of Agra Division. He was the Secretary-General of the International Civil Aviation Organization from August 1988 to August 1991. He later became the List of governors of Manipur on 6 August 2004, when he succeeded Arvind Dave. Sidhu was also the Governor of Meghalaya from October 2007 to 1 July 2008 and Governor of Goa from 22 July 2008 to 26 August 2011. He died on 25 October 2018 at the age of 89.

Gallery of Images of Andamans

चाथम सॉ मिल (Chatham Saw Mill)
फोरेस्ट म्यूजियम पोर्ट ब्लेयर (Forest-Museum-in-Port-Blair)
चाथम सॉ मिल - काठ कार्यशाला (Wood Workshop, Chatham Saw Mill)
चाथम सॉ मिल - ईको हट (Eco Hut)
समुद्रिका नवल संग्रहालय (Samudrika Naval Marine Museum)
समुद्रिका नवल संग्रहालय (Samudrika Naval Marine Museum) (कोरल या मूंगा)
समुद्रिका नवल संग्रहालय (Samudrika Naval Marine Museum) (कौड़ी)
समुद्रिका नवल संग्रहालय (Samudrika Naval Marine Museum) (सिंह शंख)
समुद्रिका नवल संग्रहालय (Samudrika Naval Marine Museum)
समुद्रिका नवल संग्रहालय (Samudrika Naval Marine Museum)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Cellular Jail)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Cellular Jail)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Cellular Jail, Light & Sound)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Laxman Burdak at Cellular Jail)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Cellular Jail, Light & Sound)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Gomati Burdak at top of Cellular Jail)
सेल्यूलर जेल (Laxman Burdak at top of Cellular Jail)
सेल्यूलर जेल से माउंट हैरियट का दृश्य (View of Mt. Harriet from Cellular Jail)
महात्मा गांधी मरीन नेशनल पार्क (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park)
महात्मा गांधी मरीन नेशनल पार्क (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park)
महात्मा गांधी मरीन नेशनल पार्क (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park)
महात्मा गांधी मरीन नेशनल पार्क (Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Gomati Burdak at Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Laxman Burdak at Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Gomati Burdak at Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Gomati Burdak at Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Jolly Buoy Island, Kewra Fruit, Pandanus odorifer)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Laxman Burdak at Jolly Buoy Island)
जॉली बुय आइलैंड (Jolly Buoy Island, Kewra Plant, Pandanus odorifer)
चिड़िया टापू Chidiya Tapu, Huge trees Khari Mahua (Manilkara littoralis)
चिड़िया टापू (Chidiya Tapu)
चिड़िया टापू (Chidiya Tapu, Plant- Pandanus)
चिड़िया टापू (Chidiya Tapu, Climber - Caesalpinia bonduc)
चिड़िया टापू (Chidiya Tapu, Driftwood)
चिड़िया टापू (Chidiya Tapu, Sunset)
राजीव गांधी स्पोर्ट कॉम्पलेक्स (Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex)
रॉस द्वीप (Ross Island, Gomati Burdak)
रॉस द्वीप (Ross Island)
रॉस द्वीप (Ross Island)
रॉस द्वीप (Ross Island, Laxman Burdak)
Portblair Beach
मानव विज्ञान संग्रहालय (Enthropological Museum)
मानव विज्ञान संग्रहालय (Enthropological Museum)
माउंट हैरियट (Mount Harriet)
माउंट हैरियट (Mount Harriet)
माउंट हैरियट (Mount Harriet, Nicobar Hut)
माउंट हैरियट (Mount Harriet, Forest Guest House)
जारवा जनजाति (Jarawa Tribe)]]
सेंटिनल जनजाति (Senteneles Tribe)
शोम्पेन जनजाति, Shompen tribes-1886]]
ग्रेट अंडमानी जनजाति (Great Andamanese)

External links

Tree Flora of Saddle Peak National Park, Andaman, India. By C. Sudhakar Reddy and P. Rama Chandra Prasad

References

↑ Roychowdhury, Rabin. "Black Days in Andaman and Nicobar Islands", Manas, New Delhi.
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.6
↑ William Wilson Hunter, James Sutherland Cotton, Richard Burn, William Stevenson Meyer (1908), Imperial Gazetteer of India, Great Britain India Office, Clarendon Press.
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.7
↑ http://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair
↑ G. K Ghosh (1998). Tourism Perspective in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. APH Publishing. pp. 130–. ISBN 978-81-7024-978-8.
↑ Lonely Planet; Isabella Noble; Paul Harding, Kevin Raub, Sarina Singh, Iain Stewart (1 October 2017). Lonely Planet South India & Kerala. Lonely Planet Global Limited. pp. 1016–. ISBN 978-1-78701-239-4.
↑ Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum).andamans.gov.in
↑ http://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair
↑ Ananya Bhardwaj (25 December 2018). "Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit". Hindustan Times.
↑ https://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/andaman/roberttytler.htm
↑ Dalrymple, William (17 August 2009). The Last Mughal: The Fall of Delhi, 1857. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-4088-0688-3.p.443
↑ http://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair
↑ www.incredibleindia.org
↑ Llewellyn-Jones, Rosie (2007). The Great Uprising in India, 1857-58: Untold Stories, Indian and British. Boydell & Brewer. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-84383-304-8.
↑ Ananya Bhardwaj (25 December 2018). "Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit". Hindustan Times.
↑ Paty, Chittarangjan Kumar (2007). Forest, Government, and Tribe. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 107. ISBN 81-8069-406-2.
↑ http://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair
↑ Priya Srivastava (2018-11-21). "All about Barren Island, South Asia's Only Active Volcano in Andaman". Times of Indian.
↑ Koshy, Jacob. "Why did Barren Island volcano erupt again?". The Hindu.
↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Scuba-dive-at-an-active-volcano-on-Barren-Island-in-Andamans/articleshow/25837581.cms
↑ Palanichamy, Malliya G.; Agrawal, Suraksha; Yao, Yong-Gang; Kong, Qing-Peng; Sun, Chang; Khan, Faisal; Chaudhuri, Tapas Kumar; Zhang, Ya-Ping (2006). "Comment on 'Reconstructing the Origin of Andaman Islanders'". Science. 311 (5760): 470.
↑ ben cahoon. "Provinces of British India". Worldstatesmen.org.
↑ ben cahoon. "Provinces of British India". Worldstatesmen.org.
↑ Ramerini, Marco. "Chronology of Danish Colonial Settlements". ColonialVoyage.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005.
↑ ben cahoon. "Provinces of British India". Worldstatesmen.org.
↑ Ramerini, Marco. "Chronology of Danish Colonial Settlements". ColonialVoyage.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005.
↑ Roychowdhury, Rabin. "Black Days in Andaman and Nicobar Islands", Manas, New Delhi.
↑ Planning Commission of India (2008). Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Report. State Development Report series (illustrated ed.). Academic Foundation. ISBN 978-81-7188-652-4.
↑ David Brewster. "India's Defence Strategy and the India-ASEAN Relationship. Retrieved 24 August 2014"
↑ Government of India (1908). "The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Local Gazetteer". Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta. "... In the great Tanjore inscription of 1050 AD, the Andamans are mentioned under a translated name along with the Nicobars, as Nakkavaram or land of the naked people."
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, pp.8-12
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.13-14
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.19
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.20
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.21-24
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.34
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.35
↑ Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.688
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.6
↑ Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihas, Agra 1998, p.289
↑ Jat Samaj: Agra November 1999
↑ Jat History Thakur Deshraj, Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1992, pp.15-19
↑ O.S.Tugania:Jat Samuday ke Pramukh Adhar Bindu,p.55,s.n. 1999
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.7
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.19
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.9
↑ Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.134
↑ Singh, Jaspal. "Historical Sikh Events: History of the Ghadar Movement part 3 - Return to India". All About Sikhs.
↑ डॉ० योगानन्द: स्वामी ओमानन्द सरस्वती का जीवन-चरित/सप्‍तम अध्याय, 1983

[1] Roychowdhury, Rabin. "Black Days in Andaman and Nicobar Islands", Manas, New Delhi.

[2] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.6

[3] William Wilson Hunter, James Sutherland Cotton, Richard Burn, William Stevenson Meyer (1908), Imperial Gazetteer of India, Great Britain India Office, Clarendon Press.

[4] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.7

[5] ttp://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair

[6] G. K Ghosh (1998). Tourism Perspective in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. APH Publishing. pp. 130–. ISBN 978-81-7024-978-8.

[7] Lonely Planet; Isabella Noble; Paul Harding, Kevin Raub, Sarina Singh, Iain Stewart (1 October 2017). Lonely Planet South India & Kerala. Lonely Planet Global Limited. pp. 1016–. ISBN 978-1-78701-239-4.

[8] Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum).andamans.gov.in

[9] ttp://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair

[10] Ananya Bhardwaj (25 December 2018). "Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit". Hindustan Times.

[11] ttps://www.britishempire.co.uk/maproom/andaman/roberttytler.htm

[12] Dalrymple, William (17 August 2009). The Last Mughal: The Fall of Delhi, 1857. A&C Black. ISBN 978-1-4088-0688-3.p.443

[13] ttp://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair

[14] www.incredibleindia.org

[15] Llewellyn-Jones, Rosie (2007). The Great Uprising in India, 1857-58: Untold Stories, Indian and British. Boydell & Brewer. p. 168. ISBN 978-1-84383-304-8.

[16] Ananya Bhardwaj (25 December 2018). "Andaman's most-visited islands to be renamed during PM Modi visit". Hindustan Times.

[17] Paty, Chittarangjan Kumar (2007). Forest, Government, and Tribe. New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company. p. 107. ISBN 81-8069-406-2.

[18] ttp://www.andamansguide.com/place-to-visit-in-port-blair

[19] Priya Srivastava (2018-11-21). "All about Barren Island, South Asia's Only Active Volcano in Andaman". Times of Indian.

[20] Koshy, Jacob. "Why did Barren Island volcano erupt again?". The Hindu.

[21] ttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Scuba-dive-at-an-active-volcano-on-Barren-Island-in-Andamans/articleshow/25837581.cms

[22] Palanichamy, Malliya G.; Agrawal, Suraksha; Yao, Yong-Gang; Kong, Qing-Peng; Sun, Chang; Khan, Faisal; Chaudhuri, Tapas Kumar; Zhang, Ya-Ping (2006). "Comment on 'Reconstructing the Origin of Andaman Islanders'". Science. 311 (5760): 470.

[23] . "Provinces of British India". Worldstatesmen.org.

[24] . "Provinces of British India". Worldstatesmen.org.

[25] Ramerini, Marco. "Chronology of Danish Colonial Settlements". ColonialVoyage.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005.

[26] . "Provinces of British India". Worldstatesmen.org.

[27] Ramerini, Marco. "Chronology of Danish Colonial Settlements". ColonialVoyage.com. Archived from the original on 4 April 2005.

[28] Roychowdhury, Rabin. "Black Days in Andaman and Nicobar Islands", Manas, New Delhi.

[29] Planning Commission of India (2008). Andaman and Nicobar Islands Development Report. State Development Report series (illustrated ed.). Academic Foundation. ISBN 978-81-7188-652-4.

[30] David Brewster. "India's Defence Strategy and the India-ASEAN Relationship. Retrieved 24 August 2014"

[31] Government of India (1908). "The Andaman and Nicobar Islands: Local Gazetteer". Superintendent of Government Printing, Calcutta. "... In the great Tanjore inscription of 1050 AD, the Andamans are mentioned under a translated name along with the Nicobars, as Nakkavaram or land of the naked people."

[32] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, pp.8-12

[33] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.13-14

[34] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.19

[35] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.20

[36] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.21-24

[37] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.34

[38] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.35

[39] Aitihasik Sthanavali by Vijayendra Kumar Mathur, p.688

[40] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.6

[41] Dr Mahendra Singh Arya, Dharmpal Singh Dudi, Kishan Singh Faujdar & Vijendra Singh Narwar: Ādhunik Jat Itihas, Agra 1998, p.289

[42] Jat Samaj: Agra November 1999

[43] Jat History Thakur Deshraj, Maharaja Suraj Mal Smarak Shiksha Sansthan, Delhi, 1992, pp.15-19

[44] O.S.Tugania:Jat Samuday ke Pramukh Adhar Bindu,p.55,s.n. 1999

[45] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.7

[46] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.19

[47] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.9

[48] Baban Phaley - The Land of Martyrs Andaman & Nocobar Island, p.134

[49] Singh, Jaspal. "Historical Sikh Events: History of the Ghadar Movement part 3 - Return to India". All About Sikhs.

[50] डॉ० योगानन्द: स्वामी ओमानन्द सरस्वती का जीवन-चरित/सप्‍तम अध्याय, 1983

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