The Union Home Minister of India announced that Port Blair, the capital city of the
Andaman and Nico
bar Islands, will be renamed as ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’. The
renaming is in recognition of the city’s historical significance, particularly its
connection with the Chola Empire and Srivijaya.
About Port Blair:
Location & Significance:
Port Blair serves as the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is the main
entry point to the islands. Situated on the east coast of South Andaman Island, the
city plays a strategic role in India’s naval and maritime affairs due to its location in
the Bay of Bengal.
Historical Background:
Port Blair was named after Archibald Blair, a naval surveyor and lieutenant in the
Bombay Marine (the precursor to the Indian Navy). Blair was the first to conduct a
comprehensive survey of the Andaman Islands.
Freedom Struggle Connection:
Port Blair is also historically significant as it was the site where Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose unfurled the Indian national flag
(Tiranga) for the first time during his struggle for India’s independence.
Port Blair’s Connection with the Cholas and Srivijaya:
Strategic Naval Base of Cholas:
Historical records suggest that the Andaman Islands were used as a naval base by Rajendra Chola I, the 11th-century Chola
emperor. The islands played a key role in his expedition against the Srivijaya Empire (modern-day Indonesia). This naval
conquest was part of the Chola Empire’s expansion into Southeast Asia.
Ma-Nakkavaram (Nicobar) Connection:
An inscription found at Thanjavur dating to 1050 CE refers to the islands as Ma-Nakkavaram land (meaning great open or naked
land), which may have contributed to the British-era name Nicobar. This inscription highlights the Cholas’ involvement in the
region and their strategic use of the islands for military campaigns.
Cultural and Historical Perspectives:
Historian Herman Kulke describes the Chola invasion of Srivijaya as a unique event, marking India’s otherwise peaceful
relations with Southeast Asian states, which had experienced strong cultural ties to India for about a millennium.
American historian G.W. Spencer views the Srivijaya expedition as a part of the Chola expansionism, which was driven
by the desire for domination over South Indian, Sri Lankan, and Southeast Asian empires.
Conclusion:
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram highlights India’s recognition of its historical ties with the Chola Empire and its
role in the greater Southeast Asian maritime domain. By acknowledging this rich legacy, India aims to reinforce its historical and
cultural connections, as well as recognize the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.