Sri Vijaya Puram | 16 Sep 2024

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.
The A&N Islands are strategically located in the Bay of Bengal, providing India with substantial ocean space under UNCLOS and are the first line of defence against any maritime threats from the east.