Port Blair – Sri Vijaya Puram

India recently renamed Port Blair, the capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar(A&N) Islands, as Sri Vijaya Puram.

• The new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, reflects a break from colonial legacy and It symbolises the victory in India’s freedom struggle and the islands’ unique historical role.
• History of Port Blair: The Andaman Islands served as a strategic naval base for the Chola Empire under Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century, who attacked the Srivijaya Empire (present-day Indonesia), marking a unique military event in India’s history.
  • The Chola invasion of Srivijaya was seen as an attempt to expand Chola dominance and safeguard trade routes.
  • Port Blair, named after Archibald Blair, a British naval officer, became significant during British rule as a penal colony and a symbol of oppression, especially after the Revolt of 1857.
    • With the strengthening of the Indian Independence Movement, a huge cellular jail known as Kaala Paani was established in 1906, housing several freedom fighters, including Veer Damodar Savarkar.
  • On 30^th December 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the national flag for the first time on Indian soil, at Port Blair.