Port Blair history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of modern Port Blair dates back to the late 18th century. The city was named in honour of Lieutenant Archibald Blair, a hydrographer of the British East India Company.

It was Blair who founded the first settlement in 1789 on Chatham Island, situated in a convenient natural harbour. Initially, the colony was intended to serve as a naval base and a refuge for vessels; however, the early years were marked by difficulties in developing the territory.

Key Factors of Development

The formation of Port Blair as a key settlement on the islands was driven by several factors:

• Geography and Navigation: The presence of a protected deep-water bay made this location an ideal shelter for ships during monsoons in the Bay of Bengal.
• Strategic Position: The city was situated at the crossroads of maritime routes, allowing for the control of trade and the combating of piracy in the region.
• Isolation: Remoteness from the mainland of India was the primary reason the city turned into a place of exile. After 1858, the infamous penal colony was established here.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The early economy of Port Blair was not market-based in the traditional sense; it was built on meeting the needs of the garrison and the convict settlement. The main activities were jungle clearing, timber logging, and infrastructure construction carried out by prisoners.

The cultural environment took shape under conditions of strict isolation and the interaction of three different worlds: the British administration, exiles from various corners of India, and the indigenous tribes of the Andaman Islands who inhabited these lands long before the arrival of Europeans.

Chronology of Events

• 1789: Lieutenant Archibald Blair establishes the first East India Company settlement on Chatham Island to combat piracy.
• 1796: Due to harsh climatic conditions and disease, the colony is officially closed, and settlers are evacuated.
• 1858: British authorities establish a penal colony in Port Blair to house participants of the Indian Rebellion.
• 1872: The Viceroy of India, Lord Mayo, is assassinated by a prisoner during an inspection visit to the settlement.
• 1906: Construction of the famous "Cellular Jail" is completed, becoming a place of detention for political dissidents.
• 1942: During World War II, Japanese troops occupy the city, holding it until the end of hostilities.
• 1943: Subhas Chandra Bose hoists the Indian tricolour in the city and forms the provisional government of "Free India".
• 1945: Following Japan's surrender, control over the islands and Port Blair returns to the British administration.
• 1947: With the proclamation of India's independence, the city becomes part of the sovereign state.
• 1956: The Andaman and Nicobar Islands receive Union Territory status, and Port Blair is confirmed as their capital.
• 1979: The "Cellular Jail" complex is declared a National Memorial and becomes the city's main historical monument.
• 2004: The devastating Indian Ocean tsunami causes serious damage to the city's coastal infrastructure.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The story of Port Blair's transformation from an isolated colony into a modern tourist centre has passed through several key stages that defined its current appearance and economy:

• Creation of Settlement Infrastructure (from 1858)
  The foundation of a permanent colony launched massive urban planning works. Draining swamps, clearing jungles, and building a road network by the settlers laid the physical foundation for the future city and the Aberdeen district—its commercial centre.
• Construction of the "Cellular Jail" (1896–1906)
  The erection of this monumental complex became an architectural milestone. The building not only defined the city's grim specialisation in the first half of the 20th century but subsequently transformed into a major historical monument attracting thousands of tourists.
• Post-war Migration and "Mini-India" (late 1940s – 1950s)
  Mass resettlement of refugees following the partition of India and the arrival of specialists from the mainland radically changed the demographics. A unique cultural environment formed where traditions from different states blended, earning the city the unofficial title of "Mini-India".
• Gaining Capital Status (1956)
  The confirmation of Port Blair as the administrative centre of the Union Territory stimulated social development. The appearance of colleges, large hospitals, and government institutions cemented the city's role as the archipelago's main service hub.
• Ecological Shift in the Economy (2002)
  The Supreme Court of India's decision to ban commercial logging led to the closure of wood processing plants. This became a turning point, reorienting the city's economy from industry to eco-tourism and biodiversity protection.
• Digital and Transport Integration (from 2020)
  The launch of the submarine optical fibre cable (CANI) connecting the islands with the mainland, along with the opening of a new airport terminal, eliminated years of isolation. This provided a powerful impulse for business development, online services, and comfortable tourism.

Urban Planning Features and Landscape

The architectural appearance of Port Blair is inextricably linked to its complex terrain and historical purpose. The city does not possess the strict geometric layout characteristic of many colonial centres in mainland India. Instead, development evolved organically, winding around numerous hills and descending towards the coastline.

The urban structure is clearly divided into functional zones: administrative buildings occupy the high grounds, ensuring a good view of the harbour, while commercial and residential quarters are concentrated in the lowlands and along the coast. The heart of city activity is the Aberdeen Bazaar area, where dense low-rise buildings form a vibrant commercial labyrinth.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Several distinct periods can be traced in the city's appearance, each leaving its mark on the architecture:

• Colonial Utilitarianism (British Period):

  The main dominant feature of this era is the Cellular Jail. This is a vivid example of penitentiary architecture built on the "Panopticon" principle. The building is constructed of brick brought from the mainland and is distinguished by strict geometry, massiveness, and a lack of decorative elements, emphasizing its punitive function.

• Industrial Architecture (19th Century):

  On Chatham Island (connected to the city by a bridge), structures of one of the oldest sawmills in Asia have been preserved. This style is characterised by the use of local timber, steel frames, and huge pitched roofs designed to protect against tropical downpours.

• Military Fortification (Japanese Occupation Period):

  During World War II (1942–1945), Japanese troops erected a network of defensive structures. To this day, squat concrete bunkers and pillboxes remain along the coast. These are purely functional, monolithic constructions devoid of aesthetics, yet they serve as important historical markers.

• Tropical Functionalism and Modernity:

  Modern development in Port Blair represents an eclectic mix of concrete structures typical of Indian cities, adapted for the climate. Buildings often feature bright colours, wide verandas, and sloped roofs made of corrugated metal or tiles to channel away monsoon rains.

Iconic Landmarks Shaping the City's Look

Despite the absence of palatial grandeur, several objects define the visual code of Port Blair:

• Cellular Jail: A National Memorial whose wing-rays radiate from a central tower, serving as the city's most recognisable silhouette.
• Clock Tower: A modest but important landmark in the centre of Aberdeen Bazaar, dedicated to the heroes of the First World War.
• Government Bungalows: Located on the hills, these buildings retain colonial style features with spacious terraces and large windows for natural ventilation.

Founders and Administrators

• Archibald Blair (1752–1815)
  Lieutenant of the British Navy, Hydrographer
  A key figure in the city's history. It was he who conducted a survey of the Andaman Islands in 1789 and selected the site for the first colony, appreciating the strategic importance of the natural harbour. The city was subsequently named in his honour.
• Richard Bourke, 6th Earl of Mayo (1822–1872)
  Viceroy of India
  A high-ranking British administrator whose life ended tragically in Port Blair. During an official inspection visit to the penal colony, he was assassinated by a prisoner at the foot of Mount Harriet. This was the only assassination of a Viceroy in the entire history of British India.

Freedom Fighters and Prisoners

The history of Port Blair is inextricably linked with India's national heroes who served sentences in the local "Kalapani" prison.

• Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (1883–1966)
  Political activist, writer, philosopher
  The most famous prisoner of the Cellular Jail, who spent over ten years in solitary confinement. His time in Port Blair became a symbol of resistance to the colonial regime. In 2002, Port Blair's international airport was officially renamed in his honour.
• Subhas Chandra Bose (1897–1945)
  Leader of the Indian independence movement
  Although he was not a prisoner, his visit in December 1943 was a historic event. Bose was the first to hoist the Indian national flag on Port Blair soil (at Gymkhana Ground) and proclaimed the islands the first territory free from British rule.
• Barindra Kumar Ghosh (1880–1959)
  Revolutionary, journalist
  The younger brother of philosopher Sri Aurobindo. He was one of the first political prisoners sent to the Cellular Jail following the famous Alipore Bomb Case. His memoirs, "The Tale of My Exile", became an important historical document about life in Port Blair at that time.
• Batukeshwar Dutt (1910–1965)
  Revolutionary, associate of Bhagat Singh
  Known for his participation in the bombing of the Central Legislative Assembly. He served his sentence in the Cellular Jail, where he initiated a historic hunger strike for the rights of political prisoners, drawing attention to conditions on the island.

Cultural Figures and Humanitarians

• Diwan Singh Kalepani (1897–1944)
  Doctor, poet in the Punjabi language
  He worked in the medical service of Port Blair. Famous not only for his literary work but also for his active social engagement. During the Japanese occupation, he tried to protect the local population from brutal treatment, for which he was arrested and executed. His legacy is honoured as an example of civic courage.