weather_iconAshburn | 10.23 °C | AQI 66
Wednesday, 9 October, 2024

---Advertisement---

India

Who Was Archibald Blair, The Royal Navy Officer Behind Port Blair’s Name?

Until recently, the old name, Port Blair, was a tribute to Lieutenant Archibald Blair, who, in the late 18th century, was serving as a British naval officer and surveyor in the Royal Navy

Port Blair news
Port Blair news

The Central government announced on Friday that Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, will be henceforth named Sri Vijaya Puram. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the renaming befits PM Narendra Modi’s dream to discard all imprints of colonialism from India. The name “Port Blair” represented British colonialism and was dated back to a British naval officer named Lieutenant Archibald Blair, who participated in establishing British power in the region.

Symbol of India’s Freedom Struggle

Sri Vijaya Puram, Shah says, symbolizes the victories earned during India’s independence struggle and, specifically, the privileged position of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in that history. He pointed out that these islands were not only a critical base for the Chola Empire but also acted as a backdrop to some poignant moments in the freedom movement of India. From the first unfurling of the National Flag by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the infamous Cellular Jail in which Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters were imprisoned.

Also Read: Tragic Incident: SUV Submerges In Faridabad Underpass, Bank Manager, Cashier Found Dead

Legacy of Port Blair Colony

Until recently, the old name, Port Blair, was a tribute to Lieutenant Archibald Blair, who, in the late 18th century, was serving as a British naval officer and surveyor in the Royal Navy. In 1789, the Government of Bengal established a penal colony on Chatham Island and called it after the name of Blair. His stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was part of the British moves to firm up their control over this strategic region. Surveys and administrative actions by Blair were of immense help to the British colonial expansion in the eastern Bay of Bengal.

As years passed, Port Blair emerged as an important support center for the British military, administrative, and commercial ventures in the area. Under the directions of Blair, the isolated fishing village emerged into a key port in the British maritime establishment.

New Name, New Vision

While the colonial history of Port Blair reflected its erstwhile importance to British imperial ambitions, its renaming as Sri Vijaya Puram is symbolic of its place in independent India. The name identifies with honoring the rich heritage of the region and the contribution it has made toward India’s Freedom Movement-a look towards post-colonial identity.

Also Read: Top Political Leaders Pay Emotional Tribute To Sitaram Yechury At CPI-M Headquarters In Delhi

HISTORY

Written By

Aniket Raj


Get Breaking News First and Latest Updates from India and around the world on News24. Follow News24 on Facebook, Twitter.

Related Story

Live News

---Advertisement---


live

Latest LIVE News Trending Today, Real Time Updates: US Supports Democratic Integrity In J&K Assembly Elections

Oct 09, 2024
Latest LIVE News Trending Today, Real Time Updates
  • 08:37 (IST) 9 Oct 2024

    US Supports Democratic Values In Jammu And Kashmir Election

  • 08:34 (IST) 9 Oct 2024

    Cricketers Visit Mahakaleshwar Temple, Ujjain

  • 08:27 (IST) 9 Oct 2024

    Terrorists Abduct Two Territorial Army Jawans in Anantnag; Search Operation Underway

N24 Shorts Logo

SHORTS

Star Candidates in the assembly election results 2024
India

LIVE Haryana, J&K Election Results 2024: Will Star Candidates Bloom Or Gloom? Ravinder Raina Lost Nowshera, Anil Vij Wins Ambala Cantt

Star candidates who otherwise kept grabbing eyeballs have put their fate to the test in the democratic dangal and the decision is to be declared soon in the assembly election results.

View All Shorts

---Advertisement---

Trending