Who was Archibald Blair, and why The Capital of Andaman and Nicobar Was Named After Him?

New Delhi: Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, got its new name ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’ on Friday, breaking free from the colonial mindset. The name which honours the "rich history and heroic people of Andaman and Nicobar islands" was disclosed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi .

While sharing the update, PM Modi tweeted, "It also reflects our commitment to break free from the colonial mindset and celebrate our heritage."

Hailing the role of Andaman and Nicobar islands in India's freedom struggle, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X, “While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the A&N Islands' unique role in the same. Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations.”

The name of the capital city of the Union Territory, which had links a colonial legacy, was originally named after Captain Archibald Blair who served as an officer in the naval force of the British East India Company.

Here are lesser known facts about him:

• In 1771, Captain Archibald Blair was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Bombay Marine, the naval force of the British East India Company. His naval career largely spanned his role in surveying and exploring remote regions under British colonies, particularly the Andaman Islands, between December 1788 and April 1789.
• On the basis of the Captain's findings presented to the British governor-general on June 12, 1789, Britishers took key decision in colonising the islands.
• During his expedition, he came across a natural harbour in the southern part of Great Andaman Island, which he initially named Port Cornwallis, in honour of Commodore William Cornwallis, Commander-in-Chief of the British-Indian Navy. This port was later renamed as Port Blair to honour him.
• The naval officer established the first British settlement on Chatham Island in 1789, where he supervised the building of cottages and the clearing of forests. He evaluated the strategic importance of the harbour and ensured that it would serve as a significant point for British operations in the area.
• Despite initial success, the settlement efforts faced major challenges, including resistance from tribals. Eventually, the colony was relocated to a new site, but the result there was not fruitful either.
• He moved back to England in 1795. However, he earned honour because of his efforts which paved the way for British presence in the Andaman Islands, that later became a penal colony in 1858. The first prisoners of the penal colony were the freedom fighters from the First War of Indian Independence.