Did you know? Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, has just been renamed Sri Vijaya Puram. This change isn’t just a switch in names—it represents India’s journey away from its colonial past and towards celebrating its rich history. You might be wondering, why now? Or, more importantly, who was Port Blair named after in the first place? The answer takes us back to Captain Archibald Blair, a British naval officer, whose legacy is tied to the region. Let us we explore what this renaming means, both historically and symbolically.
Background of Captain Archibald Blair
Early Naval Career: Captain Archibald Blair joined the Bombay Marine, the naval force of the British East India Company, as a lieutenant in 1771. His initial assignments involved surveying the coasts of India, Iran, and Arabia. His survey missions were part of the broader British imperial strategy to map and control trade routes in the Indian Ocean.
Captivity and Return: In 1780, during an expedition to the Cape of Good Hope, Blair was captured by a French warship and held prisoner for four years. In 1784, he was returned to the British through the Dutch and was compensated £200 for his ordeal. After his release, Blair resumed his duties and conducted further surveys across the Indian Ocean.
Expeditions and Discoveries
Survey of the Indian Ocean: Between 1786 and 1788, Blair continued his survey missions, which included mapping the Chagos Archipelago (south of the Maldives), Diamond Harbour near Calcutta, and the Hooghly River. These surveys were critical for the British East India Company, as they provided valuable information about strategic points in the Indian Ocean and along important shipping routes.
Survey of Andaman Islands: From December 1788 to April 1789, Blair conducted a detailed survey of the Andaman Islands. This survey was crucial because it provided the British with insights into the strategic importance of the islands, laying the foundation for their future colonisation.
British Colonisation of the Andaman Islands
Decision to Colonise: On June 12, 1789, Blair presented his comprehensive report on the Andaman Islands to the British governor-general in Calcutta. His findings revealed the strategic advantages of the islands, including their suitability as a safe harbour to counter the threat of Malayan pirates, a refuge for shipwrecked sailors, and a watering station for British ships. The British decided to colonise the islands based on Blair’s recommendations to establish a naval base and safeguard shipping interests in the region.
Strategic Importance: Blair’s report identified the islands’ natural harbours, making them ideal for naval operations. The British also envisioned the Andamans as a potential base during hostilities with other colonial powers. This led to their decision to set up settlements on the islands.
Port Cornwallis and Port Blair
Discovery of Port Cornwallis: During his survey, Blair discovered a natural harbour in the southern part of Great Andaman Island, which he initially named “Port Cornwallis” after Commodore William Cornwallis, the Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Navy. The harbour’s strategic location and sheltered waters made it an ideal spot for British naval operations.
Renaming of Port Blair: After his survey missions, the harbour was renamed Port Blair in honour of Captain Archibald Blair’s contributions. The renaming recognised his role in surveying the region and establishing the first British presence on the islands.
First British Settlement in Andaman
Chatham Island Settlement: In September 1789, Blair returned to Chatham Island (part of the Andaman Islands) as the officer-in-charge of the new settlement. He oversaw the clearing of forests, the building of cottages, and the planting of kitchen gardens and orchards. This was the first organised British settlement in the Andaman Islands, and it demonstrated Blair’s leadership in establishing a foothold for the British Empire.
Relocation and Challenges: Despite initial success, the settlement faced significant challenges, including disease and resistance from the native tribes. The British government ordered the relocation of the settlement in December 1792 to a new site, Port Cornwallis, in Northern Great Andaman. However, the move proved disastrous due to the outbreak of disease. Blair eventually handed over control to Major Alexander Kyd in 1793. By 1796, the colony was abandoned, marking a failure of the first British settlement on the Andamans.
Legacy and Penal Colony
Return to England: After handing over control to Major Kyd, Blair returned to England in 1795. Although his efforts to establish a permanent colony on the Andamans were unsuccessful, his work laid the groundwork for future British involvement in the region.
Penal Colony Formation: Sixty years later, the British revived the idea of using the Andamans as a colonial base, but this time as a penal settlement. In 1858, after the First War of Indian Independence (also known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857), the British sent the first group of 200 freedom fighters to the Andaman Islands, thus marking the beginning of its infamous history as a penal colony. Blair’s surveys and early colonial efforts paved the way for this transformation of the Andamans into a British penal colony.
Penal Colony Formation: Sixty years later, the British revived the idea of using the Andamans as a colonial base, but this time as a penal settlement. In 1858, after the First War of Indian Independence (also known as the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857), the British sent the first group of 200 freedom fighters to the Andaman Islands, thus marking the beginning of its infamous history as a penal colony. Blair’s surveys and early colonial efforts paved the way for this transformation of the Andamans into a British penal colony.
NPS Vatsalya Scheme
Prahan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan
Benefits of PM Vishwakarma Scheme
Renaming Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram
On September 14, 2024, the Indian government announced the renaming of Port Blair to “Sri Vijaya Puram” as part of an initiative to rid the nation of colonial imprints. This renaming honours the islands’ rich indigenous history and their significant role in the freedom struggle. Union Home Minister Amit Shah noted that the name change symbolizes the victory achieved in India’s freedom movement. The renaming is also a tribute to the ancient naval prowess of the Chola Empire, which once used the Andaman Islands as a naval base. The renaming of Port Blair reflects India’s ongoing efforts to reclaim its heritage and break free from the legacy of British colonialism.
FAQs
Who was Captain Archibald Blair?
Captain Archibald Blair was a British naval officer who joined the Bombay Marine (naval arm of the British East India Company) in 1771. He is known for his detailed surveys of the Andaman Islands, which laid the groundwork for British colonisation.
Why was Port Blair originally named after Captain Archibald Blair?
Port Blair was named after Captain Archibald Blair due to his discovery of a natural harbour on the Andaman Islands during his survey in 1789. The harbour was originally named Port Cornwallis, but later renamed Port Blair in his honour.
What was Captain Blair’s role in the colonisation of the Andaman Islands?
Captain Blair’s detailed report on the strategic importance of the Andaman Islands convinced the British government to colonise the islands. He led the establishment of the first British settlement on Chatham Island in 1789.
Why was Port Blair renamed to Sri Vijaya Puram?
In 2024, the Indian government renamed Port Blair to “Sri Vijaya Puram” to symbolise India’s efforts to shed colonial imprints and honour its own historical legacy. The name reflects the islands’ ancient association with the Chola Empire and their role in the freedom struggle.
What challenges did Captain Blair face in establishing the British settlement on the Andaman Islands?
Captain Blair faced several challenges, including disease outbreaks and resistance from native tribes. These difficulties led to the eventual failure of the first British settlement, which was abandoned in 1796.
What is the significance of the Andaman Islands in India’s history?
The Andaman Islands hold a significant place in Indian history as a former British penal colony where freedom fighters from the First War of Indian Independence were exiled. The islands were also a strategic naval base for the Chola Empire.
