The Union Home Minister recently announced that Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will be renamed Sri Vijaya Puram. This decision is not just a symbolic renaming but a conscious effort to reconnect India’s island territories with their ancient maritime heritage, while also honoring the sacrifices of freedom fighters who shaped the nation’s destiny.
The Legacy of the Srivijaya Empire
The choice of the name Sri Vijaya Puram is deeply rooted in history. The Srivijaya Empire, based in Sumatra, flourished between the 7th and 11th centuries. It was a powerful maritime kingdom that dominated trade routes across Southeast Asia.
- Cultural Influence: Srivijaya was instrumental in spreading Buddhism across the region, establishing itself as a hub of learning and spirituality.
- Maritime Power: Its control over sea routes made it a central player in international trade, linking India, China, and the rest of Southeast Asia.
- Decline: The empire began to weaken after the Chola naval expeditions in the 11th century. The Cholas, under Rajendra Chola I, launched raids on Srivijaya’s ports, marking a rare instance of India’s direct military engagement with Southeast Asia.
By renaming Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram, India is symbolically reviving this shared maritime history and reaffirming its cultural ties with Southeast Asia.
Port Blair: From Colonial Outpost to Sri Vijaya Puram
Before becoming Sri Vijaya Puram, Port Blair had a long and complex history shaped by colonialism, resistance, and resilience.
- Early Origins: Once a small fishing village, the area was surveyed in 1778 by British naval officer Lieutenant Archibald Blair, who recognized its natural harbor.
- Naming: Initially called Port Cornwallis, it was later renamed Port Blair in Blair’s honor.
- Colonial Expansion: In 1789, the British established a penal colony on Chatham Island, though it was abandoned in 1796 due to disease.
- Re-establishment: After the 1857 Revolt, the British revived Port Blair as a penal settlement, using it to exile political prisoners and revolutionaries.
Thus, the city that once symbolized colonial oppression is now being redefined as Sri Vijaya Puram, a name that reflects pride, heritage, and resilience.
Cellular Jail: The Soul of Sri Vijaya Puram
The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, remains the most iconic landmark of Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly Port Blair). Built in 1906, it was designed for solitary confinement and became infamous for the brutal treatment of prisoners.
- Freedom Fighters: Revolutionaries such as Batukeshwar Dutt, Barindra Kumar Ghosh, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were imprisoned here.
- Savarkar’s Contribution: Savarkar wrote The Indian War of Independence, 1857 while incarcerated in the jail.
- Hunger Strikes: In 1933, prisoners like Mahavir Singh, Mohan Kishore Namadas, and Mohit Moitra staged hunger strikes to protest inhumane conditions.
- Historic Events: In 1872, Sher Ali assassinated Viceroy Lord Mayo in the Andamans, an event that shook the colonial administration.
During World War II, the Japanese occupied Port Blair and handed it over to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Provisional Government of Free India. On 30th December 1943, Bose hoisted the Indian tricolor near the Cellular Jail, marking the first time the national flag was raised on Indian soil.
Today, the Cellular Jail is a National Memorial, preserving the stories of sacrifice and struggle that define the spirit of Sri Vijaya Puram.
Renaming of Islands: Honoring India’s Heroes
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is part of a broader initiative to honor India’s history and heroes.
- In 2022, 21 major islands of the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago were named after Param Vir Chakra awardees, including Somnath Island, Batra Island, and Khetrapal Island.
- In 2018, three islands were renamed to honor Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and India’s independence struggle:
- Ross Island → Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island
- Neil Island → Shaheed Dweep
- Havelock Island → Swaraj Dweep
These renamings, along with the transformation of Port Blair into Sri Vijaya Puram, reflect a conscious effort to decolonize India’s geography and celebrate its indigenous and nationalist heritage.
Why the Renaming Matters
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram carries multiple layers of significance:
- Cultural Reconnection: It revives India’s ancient maritime links with Southeast Asia through the legacy of the Srivijaya Empire.
- National Pride: It honors the sacrifices of freedom fighters who endured unimaginable suffering in the Cellular Jail.
- Decolonization: It replaces colonial names with ones rooted in Indian history and identity.
- Tourism & Awareness: The new name is expected to boost cultural tourism, drawing attention to the islands’ unique blend of natural beauty and historical importance.
Conclusion
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is more than a change of name—it is a reclamation of history. It transforms a city once associated with colonial oppression into a beacon of India’s maritime glory and freedom struggle. By linking the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the Srivijaya Empire, the government has ensured that the story of Sri Vijaya Puram will resonate not only as a reminder of the past but also as an inspiration for the future.
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