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History of Andaman & Nicobar Islands
A clear history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands
can be had only from a British Survey of these islands conducted in
1777. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos
and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for
centuries. These islands remained secluded from the mainland till the
end of the 18th Century when people from the outside world first
arrived. The history of these islands could be divided into four broad
periods the period of seclusion and piratical disturbances
a) the British regime - a period of foreign intrusion and settlement
b) the Japanese regime
c) and the Post-Independence period.
In the Second Century, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were located in
the maps prepared by the great Greek astronomer, mathematician and
geographer, Claudius Ptolemaeus, which possibly is the earliest
reference to these islands. The early history of Nicobar is not well
known although these islands were familiar to traders in ancient
times, the islands being situated close to the trade route to the Far
East. Though little is known about Portuguese activities in these
islands, it is evident that the Portuguese missionaries started
preaching Christianity among the islanders. The Nicobarese language
also reflects a few Portuguese words.
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TOURISM
The
Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a veritable Garden of Eden and a
naturalist's heaven. The clean environment, roads, greenery as
well as unpolluted fresh air attract all nature lovers. The
tropical rain forests and waters of Bay of Bengal are the home of
a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life.
Topographically the islands are hilly in places fringed with
coconut palm, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with
flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches. Adventure tourism like
trekking, Island camping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving etc. and other
water sports are the real attractions. A marvelous mix of nature's
most precious delights, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a once
in a lifetime holiday experience.
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Islands
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Beaches
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Museum
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Monuments
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Picnic Spot
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Package Tours
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Places
of Interest in Port Blair
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Places of Interest
in Andamans
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Places of Interest
in Nicobar
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Tourism
Festival
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Land & People
The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were shrouded in mystery for centuries
because of their inaccessibility. These are the paragon of beauty and
present a landscape full with scenic and picturesque extravaganza.
These islands shimmer like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal. The dense
forest which cover these islands and the innumerable exotic flowers
and birds create a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere. "Here the
white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees
that sway to the rhythm of the Sea. The beat of tribal drums haunt the
stillness and technicolour fish steer their way through crystal clear
water." This addition of strangeness to beauty which is responsible
for creating the infinite romantic impact may be described in the
following famous lines of Keats.
"Charmed magic casement opening on the foam Of perilous seas in
fair lands forlorn."
The scenic beauty of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, would create a sense
of dissatisfaction and the human mind would rebel against "the whole
mass of the motley facts of life". He would be guided by an
irresistible desire to this paradise on earth, with invincible faith
on the philosophy of Wordsworth:
"Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold is full of
blessing".
The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and
small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and
rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal.They lie
along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately
North-South over a distance nearly 800 kms. . It is logical to presume
a former land connection form Cape Negris at South part of Burma to
Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra). The flora and fauna of
these islands, however, indicate that this land connection if it
existed, should have been prior to the development of their present
life form.
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