|
| |
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.
|
|
 |