The history of the inhabitants of the Andaman and Nicobar islands dates back several thousand years. Although the earliest archaeological evidence goes back about 2,200 years, genetic, cultural and linguistic studies conducted on the inhabitants suggest that they have their origins in the Middle Paleolithic era nearly 30,000 to 60,000 years ago. In the Andaman Islands, the various Andamanese tribes maintained a separate, isolated existence diversifying into distinct linguistic, cultural and territorial groups. They first came into contact with outside groups only in the 1850s. At this time the indigenous tribes of the Andamans were the Great Andamanese which in turn comprised about ten sub-tribes with a distinct linguistic identity; the Jarawa, the Jangil, the Onge and the Sentinelese. Their total population of around 7,000 at this time was threatened as the number of settlers increased. Their first outside contact was perhaps with the Marathas in the 17th c. when the islands were used as a maritime base by Kanhoji Angre.

Later, the British attempted to establish a colony here in the 18th c. but soon gave up the effort, only to return in 1858 to use the islands as an isolated prison for prisoners and Indian freedom fighters, their punishment being 'kaala pani'. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair was built for this purpose and the islands were administered as a Chief Commissioner s Province. European missionaries followed suite with several unsuccessful attempts to convert the Nicobarese to Christianity. As the tribes came in contact with the new settlers and their prisoners and slave labourers, they soon lost their territory and fell prey to various diseases brought there from the mainland. The Jangil and most of the Great Andamanese groups soon became extinct, leaving only 400-450 indigenous Andamanese today, of whom the Jarawa and Sentinelese remain isolated and refuse attempts at contact. The indigenous peoples of the Nicobars are unrelated to the Andamanese and live a similarly isolated existence. They comprise two groups --the Nicobarese or Nicobari, who live and roam freely throughout the islands and the Shompen, restricted to the interior of Great Nicobar.

The British continued to occupy the islands until the Japanese Invasion and Occupation during World War II. The Japanese seized the islands on March 23, 1942 and a number of atrocities and bombings on the Jarawa tribes followed. The events of the next three years are lost in obscurity as all records were destroyed by the Japanese when they left. The islands were placed under the authority of the Arzi Hukumate Azad Hind of Netaji Subhashchandra Bose who visited the islands during the war and renamed them as 'Shaheed' (Martyr) & 'Swaraj' (Self-rule). General Loganathan, of the Indian National Army became Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and on 21 March,1944, the Headquarters of the Civil Administration was established at Aberdeen Bazar. After Independence and Partition, refugees were given land in Port Blair and on the Nicobar Islands where woodlands were cleared and new industries established. This population, mixed with ex-convicts who chose to stay, soon outnumbered the indigenous tribes. The islands became an Indian Union Territory in 1950.

Tourist Attraction

HAVELOCK ISLAND
About 38 Kms. from Port Blair, once your are there, look at the map and rejoice at your good fortune. By latitude you are a little South of Vietnam's China Beach, a little North of Phuket, and about the level with the Philippines - a position that explains the stunning combination of white sand and gin-clear sea before of you. These water are among the most pristine on the earth. Beach No. 7 is the prettiest. This beach is claimed by several as one of the most outstanding beaches left untouched. There are hardly any such destinations left for nature freaks across the globe. One can go for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and jungle trekking in this island.

BARREN ISLAND
At a distance of about 135 Kms. from Port Blair is the land of volcano, Barren Island, the only active volcano in India. The Island about 3 Kms. has a big crater of the volcano, rising abruptly from the sea, about 1/2 Km. from the shore and is about 150 fathoms deep. This volcano erupted on May 28, 2005 and till now emitting lava. One can see this volcano from a spectacular distance on board of a vessel.


RANGAT
190 Kms. by road & 90 Kms. by Sea One can enjoy the quiet village life and solitude of virgin nature here. You can also breathe unpolluted air, a rare commodity for the city dweller. Cutbert Bay beach (20 kms. away from Rangat bazar/jetty) is a turtle nesting ground. One can view the nesting of turtles during December – February season. One can go to Mayabunder and Diglipur from here.

DIGLIPUR
290 Kms. by road & 180 kms. by Sea Situated in North Andaman Island, Diglipur provides a rare experience for eco-friendly tourists. It is famous for its oranges, rice and marine life. Saddle Peak, 732 meters, the highest point in the islands is nearby. Kalpong, the only river of Andaman flows from here. The first hydroelectric project of the islands is coming upon this river. One who comes by road from Port Blair has to take a boat from Mayabunder to Kalighat and from there journey by road to Diglipur (25 kms.), and from there to Kalipur (18 kms.) for viewing, Kalipur and Lamiya bay beaches. The Water Sports Centre is near by. One can go for trekking to Saddle Peak from Kalipur. Ram Nagar beach (15 kms. away from Kalighat) is famous for Turtle nesting during December – February season. One who comes by boat from Port Blair will reach Aerial bay jetty, which is very near to places like Diglipur and Kalipur.

NEIL ISLAND
36 Kms. from Port Blair This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a week, it provides an ideal holiday for eco-friendly tourists. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here. Beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and the bridge formation on the sea-shore called as Howra bridge are the attractions.

LONG ISLAND
82 Kms. from Port Blair Connected by boat four times a week from Port Blair, this island offers an excellent sandy beach at Lalaji Bay, unpolluted environment and evergreen forests. The sea around the island is frequented by dolphin convoys. Lalaji bay, 6 kms. away from the boat jetty, is accessible by 15 minutes journey in dinghies or trekking through the forest.

LITTLE ANDAMAN ISLAND
120 kms. by sea This island has a beautiful beach at Butler Bay, a waterfall and plantation of oil palms. Apart from this there are several sandy beaches all along the coastline of the island. The break water at Hut Bay offers an excellent view to the tourists. Little Andaman is the vegetable bowl for the Nicobar group of islands. The Onge tribes live in this island, so do Nicobarese apart from settlers from erstwhile East Pakistan and other places. However entry to tribal areas is restricted. Journey 8 hrs. by sea from Port Blair towards south.