History Part II - The British Regime (Bad Days)

The history of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar islands began in 1788 when Lord Cornwallis, the then Governor General of India, thought of colonizing the islands and instructed Lt. Archibald Blair and Lt. R.H.Colebrook of the Royal Navy to Survey the islands and submit a report on their suitability for a British Colony. This was also to secure the sailing route from pirates as well as natives.

According to the recommendation of these two officers the first British settlement was founded in 1789 on Chatham Island (a small island that has a saw mill and a jetty today) , near Port Cornwallis (Now Port Blair). The fever forced the British to abolish the settlement in 1796.



After the Great Revolt in 1857, the British Government thought of establishing a penal settlement here. (THE BAD DAYS) In March 1858, the first penal settlement was established, with 200 prisoners, mostly rebels from the Indian Army. Initially the convicts were kept in a jail at Viper island (even today you can see the gallows), which is about 15 minutes boat ride from Port Blair. The island had a jail, gallows, Kutcheri, Doctor's residence, etc. Subsequently, this Jail was abandoned and the Cellular Jail at Port Blair was constructed. During the time of successive Superintendents, E.H.Man, General Steward, and Col. Cadell, the number of convicts increased and they were subjected to inhuman tortures (i have heard stories from old people during my stay in Andamans,most of the stories were from our land lady who we called Naani) at the hands of the British jailors. The foundation of the famous Cellular Jail was laid in 1896. The building was completed in 1906. Many changes, both in policy and practice, took place during Colonel Ferrar's time, which, inter alia, included concession to the convicts, mainland visit, etc. The jail had 7 wings but later i.e. post independence 4 of these wings were demolished. ( The jail , the gallows tell the story of atrocities and is wonderfully depicted by the sound and light show that is played every day).