The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram was officially announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on September 13, 2024. This decision is part of a broader initiative to eliminate colonial legacies from Indian place names and to honor the historical significance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India's freedom struggle.
The Colonial Legacy of Port Blair
Initially, the capital city was named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair, the British naval officer of the Royal Navy who served in the first half of the 18th century. In his career, Blair has made the following contributions to the British colonial endeavor in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It was in 1789 that the Government of Bengal began developing a penal settlement on Chatham Island in the southeast bay of the Great Andaman which was named after him using his name Archibald Blair.
Blair’s biggest inputs were made during the phase when Britain attempted to exploit the potential of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He toured the islands, initiated the first levels of governance in the islands, and provided the framework for future colonial incursion. This made it possible for the colonial masters to develop Port Blair as the key nodal point in the administration of the scattered islands.
Sri Vijaya Puram: A Tribute to India's Freedom Struggle
The new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, relates to the victory that was attained in India’s freedom struggle, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands part played in the struggle. Also, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stressed that the Andaman & Nicobar Islands have a unique position in the history of India’s freedom struggle.
Even the island territory which was the naval base during the time of the Chola Empire can now emerge as one of the key areas in India’s strategic and developmental dreams. It is also the place where the tri-colour of India was hoisted for the first time by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Cellular Jail where Veer Savarkar and other fighters fought for a free India.
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is a fitting tribute to the city's contribution in the making of the new Independent India. It marks a significant step in shedding the colonial legacy and embracing the nation's rich history and strategic importance in the region.
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