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The most historic structure (now a
national monument) is the Cellular Jail. It had 696 enclosed
cells for solitary confinement for convicts (mutineers,
deserters, rebels, as also hardened criminals) from all over the
country who were sent to Andaman as punishment. No women
political prisoner was ever deported to this island. Convicts of
Chittagong Armour Case, Maniktala Bomb Case, Nasik Conspiracy,
Rumpa Revolt of Godavari need special mention.
It was the Lyall
Lethbridge committee which suggested effective changes for the
penal settlement. It is interesting to note that most of
convicts preferred permanent settlement after completing their
term. Convicts from different castes, region, religion, language
got married and formed the so-called unique society.
During the
Japanese period of occupation (March 1942 to October1945) there
were many instances of ruthless executions: Zulfiquar Ali
(Sunny), a young boy of 20 was done to death for a pretty
offence. Major A. G. Bird, secretary to the British Chief
Commissioner was beheaded in the public on a false charge of
espionage. Convicts were tortured by applying burning candles on
delicate parts and even salt was sprinkled over raw wounds.
Shahid Dweep and
Swaraj Dweep were the new names given to Andamans and Nicobars
by Netaji Subhash when he visited Andaman Island in 1943. A most
horrific incident occurred in the midnight of August 4,1945 when
more than 700 people were thrown into the sea—the reason for
such an act was said to be the food shortage.
Jarawas, Great
Andamanese, Sentinelese Onges are four Negtrito bribes of
Andamans. They are certainly different from the Negroes of
Africa. One should not be shocked at finding naked Negrito
aborigines roaming freely amidst well dressed population.
Jarawas are considered to be the oldest existing tribes of human
race. They are said to be cannibal. Great Andamanese occupy
coastal region but Jarawas are yet to give up their tratditional
ways in integrate with "civilisation" though no doubt
they are less hostile now.
A vast repository
of flora and fauna makes the islands most fascinating, unique,
wonderful, and sometime mysterious. Many animals, birds and
plants are endemic to Andamans. More than 500 species of
ornamental fishes and 200 varieties of corals add colour to the
marine life of the islands. Besides, there is a variety of
turtles, salt water crocodiles, whales in the sea life.
There are many
interesting legends about the origin of the Nicobarese, the
popular one being that a pregnant women from Burma came to the
islands and gave a birth to baby boy. Later, she married him and
produced the Nicobarese people.
The coral reefs
and multi-coloured fishes have their own world in the Jolly Buoy
and Redskin islands and you can hire a snorkel, a tube that you
can breathe air through when you are swimming under the surface
of the water, to observe the underwater life. Perhaps most of us
are not aware the shape of car Nicobar Island is like a
"pearl droplet with pointed tip at one end". Surgeon
Commander Ranjan really deserves a word of appreciation for his
beautiful word picture of the stunning islands.
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SOME
incidents become a part of the history and are often quoted as
illustrations for salutary impact. One such event occurred in
1949. The then Chief Commissioner, Mr. A.K. Ghosh toured the
Kondul Island of Nicobar group, the headman of an area hoisted
the British flag in his honour without knowing that India had
got its freedom in 1947.
