From Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram: 20 Indian Cities That Changed Their Names | Full List

New Delhi: The government has decided to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday.

Port Blair is the capital city of the Union Territory of Andaman Nicobar Islands.

The name Sri Vijaya Puram is dedicated to highlighting the historical significance and beautiful traditions of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

This place has witnessed the momentous moment when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the tricolour flag, as well as the struggle of Veer Savarkar and other freedom fighters.

After the recent name change of Port Blair, there is the list of a whole bunch of cities that have gone through the name change regimen in the recent past. 

Today, we're sharing with you the names of 20 Indian cities, along with their name changes and the year they occurred.

1. Osmanabad to Dharashiv (renamed in 2023)
2. Aurangabad to Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (renamed in 2023)
3. Hoshangabad to Narmadapuram (renamed in 2021)
4. New Raipur to Atal Nagar (renamed in 2018)
5. Allahabad to Prayagraj (renamed in 2018)
6. Gurgaon to Gurugram (renamed in 2016)
7. Rajahmundry to Rajahmahendravaram (renamed in 2015)
8. Mangalore to Mangaluru (renamed in 2007)
9. Bellary to Ballari (renamed in 2007)
10. Bijapur to Vijayapura (renamed in 2007)
11. Chikmagalur to Chikkamagaluru (renamed in 2007)
12. Gulbarga to Kalaburagi (renamed in 2007)
13. Mysore to Mysuru (renamed in 2007)
14. Hospet to Hosapete (renamed in 2007)
15. Shimoga to Shivamogga (renamed in 2007)
16. Hubli to Hubballi (renamed in 2007)
17. Tumkur to Tumakuru (renamed in 2007)
18. Belgaum to Belagavi (renamed in 2007)
19. Bangalore to Bengaluru (respelled in 2007)
20. Daltonganj to Medininagar (renamed in 2004)

The reasons for these cities name changes vary from reason to reason. In some cases, the new name is more reflective of the city's history or culture. For example, the city of Bangalore was renamed Bengaluru to reflect its Kannada heritage. 

In other cases, the new name is intended to honour an important figure. For example, the city of Allahabad was renamed Prayagraj to recognise the confluence of three rivers, the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati.

India is a country with a rich and diverse history, and this is reflected in the names of its cities. Over the years, many Indian cities have changed their names to reflect their cultural heritage, historical significance, or to honour important figures and personalities.