Context:
Union Minister recently said in a post on X that Port Blair will now be known as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’.
Port Blair:
- Capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Named after Archibald Blair, a naval surveyor in the Bombay Marine.
- Blair conducted the 1st thorough survey of the Andaman Islands in 1778-1779.
- The island is now home to India’s first integrated tri-command of the Indian Armed Forces.
Historical significance:
- Used as a strategic naval base by 11th century Chola emperor Rajendra I.
- Cholas referred to the island as Ma-Nakkavaram, leading to the modern name Nicobar.
- During colonial times, East India Company (EIC) decided to colonize the islands to counter Malay pirates
- Became a penal colony with convicts being transported to the islands to serve unpaid labour
- But abandoned in 1796 on account of severe disease and death there.
- Post-1857 revolt, Port Blair was resettled as a penal colony.
- Cellular Jail, known as Kaala Paani, housed leaders like VD Savarkar.
- Hosted the unfurling of the Indian flag by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. The Barren Island volcano is an active volcano located in Indian territory.
2. Barren Island lies about 140 km east of Great Nicobar.
3. The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 1991 and it has remained inactive since then.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2018 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3
(c) 3 only
(d) 1 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is not correct: The Barren Island lies about 140 Km from Port Blair.
Statement 3 is not correct: The last time the Barren Island volcano erupted was in 2018.