Port Blair: History & information
the history of this island is not a very hapy one as this was used as a torture cell for the Indians who were caught by the Britishers while trying to fight against the British raj in India.The town is named for Archibald Blair of the British East India Company, who founded a nearby penal colony in 1789. Port Blair was founded by the British in 1858, the Cellular Jail surviving from this period. It is also known as “Kala Pani” translated as “Black Waters” For a time during 1943 and 1944, Port Blair was the headquarters of the Indian National Army government under Subhash Chandra Bose. Although damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, Port Blair survived sufficiently to act as a base for relief efforts in the islands. During World War II the islands were occupied by the Japanese, who tortured and murdered hundreds, suspected of collaborating with the British. British forces moved back in 1945 and abolished the penal settlement
Port Blair
Port Blair is the capital of Andaman, located in the south eastern Andaman. Port Blair pronunciation is the largest town and a municipal council in Andamans district in the Andaman Islands. These islands were later annexed as a Union Territory of India in the year 1956. Port Blair is well known for its sandy beaches and crystal water. Port Blair had a population of 100,186. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Port Blair has an average literacy rate of 77%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81%, and female literacy is 72%. In Port Blair, 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Port Blair comprises of 350 odd islands, These are islands are yet to be touched by the amenities of the modern life, these islands are truly provides a perfect tropical paradise.Mineral water and other essentials are available here, only marginally more expensive than the mainland. Power, water and sewerage systems are beginning to show signs of being over-stretched and there are frequent breakdowns. Port Blair offers a variety of sea food delicacies, besides Indian, Chinese, Continental, and Burmese cuisine.It is also the headquarters for the Indian district of Andaman, and the local administrative sub-division (tehsil).
Population: 300,000
Languages: Hindi, Tamil, Bengali and various tribal languages
Capital: Port Blair
Total Area : 8249 sq. km.
Ross Island: History
Ross Island: History
Ross Island situated North of Port Blair just across a narrow stretch of sea. Ever since Dr. James Pattison Walker arrived in Port Blair aboard the East India Company’s steam frigate ‘Senuramis’ on 10th March 1858, this island remained under British occupation till 1942. From 1942 to 1945, the island was under the occupation of Japanese. However, the allies reoccupied the island in 1945 and later abandoned it.
During British occupation, this island was the seat of power of the Britishers. It was developed into self-equipped township with all facilities required for a civilized colony. Dr. Walker, Chairman of the Andaman Committee, established the infamous and the dreaded Penal Settlement with 200 convicts. The Britishers even persuaded the aborigines to come and live in some huts at Ross Island and even established an Andaman Home for them in 1863. Later on the services of these Andamanese were used to catch the escaping convicts from Ross Island.
In the past, the administrative headquarters of the British were here as well as the residence of the British Chief Commissioner. In 1941 the island was devastated by an earthquake and in 1942 it was occupied by the Japanese. The British recaptured it in 1945 but the headquarters were no longer at Ross, which became uninhabited, bearing only a light house, church, cemetery and tennis court to remind one of the past, standing as reminders of the British and Japanese colonialization of the island. Today the Island is deserted.
Ross Island guide
Ross Island
Once the seat of British power and capital of these islands, it stands now as a ruin of the bygone days. The erstwhile administrative headquarters of the British was referred to in the early 20th century as the Paris of the East. Manicured lawns that led up to clubhouses, swimming pools, granaries, officers messes, tennis courts and a majestic church lie in ruins, reclaimed by nature after an earthquake in June 1941. Deer roam the islands today, peering from behind the thick bushes, and sometimes mustering up courage to eat biscuits out of your hand. A graveyard has headstones of army officers who died young, and that of an infant who lived for just 22 hours. It is an eerie place, now owned by the navy. Some parts are off limits for visitors. A small museum displays pictures of its old grandeur. The island can be explored on foot.
Ross Island, the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island standing as guard to Port Blair harbour. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like Ballroom, Chief Commissioner’s House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime. The island with historical background and preservable ruins is spread along an area of 0.6 sq. kms. With the ruins and also with the historical background, the Island has gained a lot of popularity among the tourists. Ross island is open for the tourists to visit during day time as the boat services are available from the Phoenix Bay jetty at 8.30 AM, 10.30 AM, and 12.30 PM. Navy has established a museum on the Island Known as ‘Smritika’ depicting the history of the Island.
Mayabunder
It provides serene holiday in an unpolluted environment and great scenic beauty. Avis islands just opposite can be reached by motorised boat. Karmatang beach is about 12 kms. From Mayabunder. Headquarters of North Andaman at a distance of 300 kms from Port Blair. 70 kms. by road from Rangat
Havelock Island
This island offers beautiful sandy beaches and lush green forest. The island is connected by boat from Port Blair. To reach the island it takes 4 to 5 hours by motor boat. A beach at Radha Nagar is world famous. Most ideal place for tent camping. It is situated 57 kms North East of Port Blair. There are white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and coral reefs with lot of marine life including dolphins, turtles and very large fish. The waters here are ideal for snorkeling & scuba diving. In the surrounding forests one can find elephants, brought to the island to work. Only one third of the Northern Island is inhabited and each village is referred to by a number.
Garacharma
Garacharma is a census town in Andamans district in the state of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India.As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Garacharma had a population of 9431. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Garacharma has an average literacy rate of 74%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 69%. In Garacharma, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Diglipur Island
Diglipur is a large city of Andaman Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for eco-friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice and marine life. Saddle Peak, 732 metres, the highest point in the islands is nearby. Kalpong, the only river of Andaman flows from here. The first hydroelectric project of the islands is coming upon this river. One who comes by road from Port Blair has to take a boat from Mayabunder to Kalighat and from there journey by road to Diglipur (25 kms.), and from there to Kalipur (18 kms.) for viewing, Kalipur and Lamiya bay beaches. The Water Sports Centre is near by. Those who want to go for trekking to Saddle Peak can collect trekking equipments on hire from Turtle Resort and start trekking from Kalipur. Ram Nagar beach (15 kms. away from Kalighat) is famous for Turtle nesting during December ? February season. One who comes by boat from Port Blair will reach Aerial bay jetty, which is very near to places like Diglipur and Kalipur.
Bombooflat
Is also a large city of Andaman.As of 2001 India census GR India, Bombooflat had a population of 6790. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Bombooflat has an average literacy rate of 72%, higher than the national average of 59.5%; with male literacy of 77% and female literacy of 67%. 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Economy of Assam
Economy of Assam
Assam tea
Assam’s biggest contribution to the world is its tea. Assam produces some of the finest teas in the world (see Assam tea). Other than the Chinese tea variety Camellia sinensis, Assam is the only region in the world that has its own variety of tea, called Camellia assamica. Assam tea is grown at elevations near sea level, giving it a malty sweetness and an earthy flavor, as opposed to the more floral aroma of highland teas.
The tea industry developed by the British planters brought in labor from Bihar and Orissa and their descendents form a significant demographic group in the state.
Assam oil
Assam also produces crude oil and natural gas. Assam is the second place in the world (after Titusville in the United States) where petroleum was discovered. The second oldest oil well in the world still produces crude oil. Most of the oilfields of Assam are located in the Upper Assam region of the Brahmaputra Valley.