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Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an archipelago of 572 islands that are part of India. Of these, around 38 islands are inhabitable, of which North Sentinel Island is home to Sentinelese–an indigenous tribe, and is off-limits to the rest of the world. The islands are separated from Myanmar and Thailand by the Andaman sea. There are a group of two islands one is the Andaman islands, and another is the Nicobar Islands. These two are separated by a 150km wide 10° channel. These are believed to be part of the Arakan mountains submerged underwater. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were integrated as union territories of India on 1 November, 1956. The union territory has three districts. The North and Middle Andaman district has Mayabunder as its capital, the South Andaman district has its capital in Port Blair, and the Nicobar district has its headquarters at Car Nicobar.
First inhabitants
The Andamanese people are believed to be the first inhabitants of these islands around 30,000 years ago during the Middle Paleolithic era and since have diversified into different groups based on linguistic and cultural differences. Archaeological documents provide evidence of these inhabitants from over 2,200 years ago. The Nicobar islands are more hospitable and hence have had an influence of various cultures from settlers who came in from different parts of the world. Austroasiatic and Shompen languages were widely spoken in the Nicobar islands, with no similarities to the language spoken by the Andamanese.
Early rulers
King Rajendra Chola II established the Andaman and Nicobar islands as a strategic marine defence base to operate an excursion against Indonesia during the rule of the Srivijaya Empire. There are references to Andamans in the Thanjavur inscription of 1050 CE, where it is called Ma-Nakkavaram, which means great open, by the Cholas. Marco Polo, the famous European traveller, called this island ‘Necuverann’. Later, during the Maratha rule, a basic marine defence was established in the islands by Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre. This would later play a crucial role in the annexation of the islands in India post-independence. In the 17th century, the islands were used as temporary shipping ports of the Maratha Empire.
Colonial period
The earliest Danish-Norwegian settlers, part of the Danish East India Company, arrived on the islands on 12 December, 1775. From 1st January 1776, the Nicobar Islands were named New Denmark and were later called Friedrick’s islands. From 1759 through 1848, several instances were reported of the islands being abandoned due to the widespread cases of malaria. During this period, Austria assumed that the islands were permanently abandoned by Denmark and tried to colonise the Nicobar from 1778 to 1784. They renamed the islands Theresa islands.
From 1789 to 1796, a marine defence colony was set up by the British Empire near present-day Port Blair, which was abandoned due to the outbreak of a disease on the islands. It was much later, in 1858, that the British set up a more permanent base on the islands, where political prisoners of the Indian freedom struggle were held. During 1864-65 the Italians tried to buy the islands from Denmark, though a final understanding was never reached between the two countries. Finally, on 16 October, 1868, the Dutch handed over the territory to the British Empire, and later in 1872, Andaman and Nicobar were joined together to be a part of British India.
World War II
During World War II, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were occupied by the Japanese army. The Azad Hind Fauj enjoyed special privileges at the islands, something that was not extended to any other army. The governor of the islands was General Loganthan of the Indian National Army. On 2nd October 1944, Loganathan left Port Blair and handed over administration and control of the islands to Maj. Alvi. The Japanese army formally handed over the island to Brigadier J. A Salmons and Noel Patterson Chief Administrator part of the Indian Civil Service on 7 October 1945.
2004 Tsunami
On 26th December 2006, an earthquake measuring 9.3 on the Richter scale was recorded along the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Northern Sumatra. This resulted in a catastrophic tsunami with waves as tall as 33 feet that engulfed most of the islands and resulted in the loss of over 2,000 lives. Over 100 sq Km of the islands were lost to the sea.
Interesting facts about Andaman and Nicobar islands
Nicobarese people used to speak Moh-Khmer and Shompen language which is unrelated to the Andamanese language and is influenced by the Austroasiatic language.
The “Book of Wonders” from the 15th century, developed in Paris mentions the invasion of Andaman by wolf-headed people.
Over 30,000 years ago, the Andamanese civilization was separated from the rest of the world.
Andamans was part of Myanmar and was later integrated into India as part of an exchange of two districts in Manipur.
The cellular jail in Port Blair which was built for the imprisonment of political prisoners and freedom fighters and was known as the ‘Kala Pani’ jail.
Andaman has been a part of India since 1950 and as a Union Territory since 1956.
On 26th December 2004, Andaman witnessed a tsunami and an earthquake in the Indian Ocean.
The only active volcano in the Indian subcontinent can be found on Barren Island, part of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Since 1787, the volcano has erupted well over 10 times, with the most recent reported explosion being in 2020.
The largest crab in the world is found in Andaman and Nicobar.
The first sunrise of the millennium was first seen from Katchal Island.
The state animal of the Andaman and Nicobar islands is the dugong.
Kolkata and Chennai are almost 1200 km equidistant from the mainland.
Conclusion
The history of Andaman is fascinating, as are its beaches, forests, and coral reefs. The islands are still largely unexplored, with the central government implementing various schemes and policies to protect the indigenous people on these islands. The islands also play a very critical strategic role in the defence of the country.
