History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back to the settlement of the East India Company in the territory of the Islands. The history in Andaman and Nicobar Islands maintains that the East India Company established a penal colony where criminals convicted for crime against the Company were kept.
The history at Andaman and Nicobar Islands suggests that Marco Polo was among the first travelers from the West to reach this conglomeration of Islands. Again, the Kanhoji Angre, a Maratha admiral, is said to have his base in Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the early 18th century. The sovereignty of Kanhoji Angre ended when he was defeated by the British and Portuguese naval forces.
In 1789, the British established their colony in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But, the island was abandoned the British in 1796; yet, the British resumed control over the island in the 19th century. During the 19th century as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands history maintains, the British used Andaman and Nicobar as a penal colony, which was named 'Kalapani' or the Cellular Jail. The history of Andaman and Nicobar Islands proves that criminals convicted of crime against the East India Company was sent to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a life sentence: the convicts were forced to live in exile in the Kalapani.
But, with the end of the British rule, i. e. after the Indian Independence, the 'Kalapani' gave way to a conglomeration of beautiful islands. It was in 1947 that Andaman and Nicobar Islands formed a part of the India Union. Today, Andaman and Nicobar Islands is among the seven union territories of India.
Last Updated on: 2nd April 2013
