Why in news?

The Centre has decided to rename Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram. This move is aimed at shedding the colonial legacy associated with the former and to recognise Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ contribution to the Indian freedom struggle.

The decision to give an Indian name to the Andaman and Nicobar capital follows nearly six years after the Centre, in a move to honour Netaji Bose, renamed three islands of the Union territory. While Ross Island was rechristened as Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep (island), Neil Island was renamed Shaheed Dweep and Havelock Island as Swaraj Dweep.

What’s in today’s article?

• Process to rename a state/UT
• Colonial background of Port Blair
• Port Blair’s connection with the imperial Cholas and Srivijaya

Process to rename a state (the term ‘state’ is inclusive of states and union territories)

• Constitutional provision
  • The Parliament has the power to change the name of a state.
  • The Constitution of India gives the parliament power to alter the name of a state under Article 3.
    • Article 3 of the Constitution explicitly lays down a procedure to alter the area, boundaries, or name of a state.
• Proposal
• The process of renaming of a state can be initiated by either the Parliament or the state assembly.
  • The state legislature sends a proposal in the form of a resolution to the Central government.
• The bill cannot be presented without a recommendation from the President, who then refers it to the state legislature for their views.
• Procedure
  • States which are going to get affected by such changes, the legislation of that state must be presented with the bill.
  • The State Legislature may present its views on the bill within the prescribed time period.
  • The views or suggestions of the State Legislature are not enforceable against the President or the Parliament.
    • If Parliament wants, it can dismiss the opinion of the state legislature.
  • After receiving the suggestions of the State Legislative Assembly or after the expiration of the limited time period the bill goes back to the Parliament.
  • Then the bill gets further deliberated upon in the Parliament.
• Passing of the bill
  • The bill like any ordinary bill must be passed with a simple majority of 50%+1 vote.
  • The bill is then sent to the President for approval. After the said bill gets approved, it becomes a law and the name of the state stands modified.

Colonial background of Port Blair

• Origins of Port Blair: Named After Lieutenant Archibald Blair
  • The city of Port Blair is the entry point of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 
  • Originally a fishing hamlet, it was named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair, a British naval officer who served in the early 18th century.
    • In December 1778, Blair embarked on his first surveying expedition to the Andaman Islands from Calcutta with two ships, Elizabeth and Viper.
    • The voyage, lasting until April 1779, took Blair around the west and east coasts of the islands, where he discovered a natural harbour.
    • Initially, he named it Port Cornwallis, after Lord William Cornwallis. The island was later renamed in Blair’s honour.
  • Blair’s career was marked by significant contributions to British colonial expansion, particularly in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Establishment of a Penal Colony in 1789
  • In 1789, the Government of Bengal founded a penal colony on Chatham Island, in the Great Andaman southeast bay, naming it after Blair.
    • This was part of a broader British strategy to control the region.
  • However, the British had abandoned by 1796 because of disease.
• Blair’s Role in Surveying and Developing the Islands
  • Blair surveyed the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, helping establish early British administration.
  • His efforts in mapping the area laid the foundation for Port Blair to become a colonial hub, vital for military, administrative, and trade activities.
  • His work helped the British exert control over the islands and integrate them into their maritime network.
• Establishment of new penal colony
  • The Revolt of 1857 resulted in a large number of prisoners for the British, prompting the immediate renovation and resettlement of Port Blair as a penal colony.
  • The first batch of 200 prisoners arrived in March 1858.
• Cellular Jail
  • The British built the Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani (Black Waters), to house Indian convicts, mostly political prisoners, in solitary confinement.
    • With the strengthening of the Indian Independence Movement in the late 19th century, a huge cellular jail was established here by 1906.

Port Blair’s connection with the imperial Cholas and Srivijaya

• Used as a strategic base by the Chola emperor
  • Srivijaya was the ancient name of an empire that had its base in Sumatra, with influence across South East Asia.
  • It was also instrumental in the expansion of Buddhism.
  • The empire was supposed to have declined around the 11 century AD after a series of naval raids by the Cholas on its ports.
    • Historical records suggest that the Andaman Islands were used as a strategic naval base by the Chola emperor Rajendra I in the 11th century.
    • It was used to launch an attack on the Srivijaya Empire, located in present-day Indonesia.
    • Chola invasion of Srivijaya was unique, marking a rare conflict in India’s otherwise peaceful relations with Southeast Asia.
    • Scholars suggest that the attack was either due to Srivijaya obstructing Chola trade or Rajendra I’s ambition to extend his empire and enhance his prestige.
    • American historian G.W. Spencer views the attack as part of Chola expansionism.
• Inscription at Thanjavur and the name of Nicobar Island
• As per an inscription found at Thanjavur dated to 1050 CE, the Cholas referred to the island as Ma-Nakkavaram land (great open/ naked land), which possibly led to the modern name of Nicobar under the British.
• A Tribute to Independent India
  • Renaming Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is seen as a fitting recognition of the city’s contribution to the making of a new Independent India, moving away from its colonial past.