Port Blair Renamed to Shri Vijaya Puram to Erase Colonial Legacy
The Indian government has renamed Port Blair, the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to ‘Shri Vijaya Puram’. This move is part of a broader effort to remove colonial imprints from the country. The city, originally named after British naval officer Captain Archibald Blair, now honors India’s rich history and role in the freedom struggle.
Honoring India’s Freedom Fighters
Home Minister Amit Shah made the announcement on X, stating, “Inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s vision to free the nation from colonial legacies, we have renamed Port Blair to Shri Vijaya Puram. This new name reflects the victory achieved during our freedom struggle and the unique role the Andaman and Nicobar Islands played in it.”
Inspired by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji, to free the nation from the colonial imprints, today we have decided to rename Port Blair as "Sri Vijaya Puram."
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) September 13, 2024
While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle…
A Historic Role in India’s Independence
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands hold a special place in India’s history. Shah emphasized the significance of these islands, highlighting their connection to the Chola Empire and their strategic importance today. He also mentioned the historic moment when Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose first unfurled the Indian flag here, and the struggles of freedom fighters like Veer Savarkar at the infamous Cellular Jail.
MUST READ : PoK : Rajnath Singh Urges PoK Residents to Join India, Promises Development in J&K
Erasing Colonial Symbols
This renaming is part of the government’s ongoing effort to remove remnants of colonial influence. Earlier this year, the names of Rashtrapati Bhavan’s ‘Durbar Hall’ and ‘Ashok Hall’ were changed to ‘Ganatantra Mandap’ and ‘Ashok Mandap’, reflecting India’s cultural heritage. In a similar move, the Indian Navy ended the practice of carrying colonial-era batons and updated its insignia to reflect Indian traditions, inspired by Chhatrapati Shivaji.
This renaming of Port Blair to Shri Vijaya Puram is another step in the government’s mission to celebrate India’s freedom fighters and their enduring legacy.
