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The
British Regime
The history of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar islands began
in 1788 when Lord Cornwallis, the then Governor General of India,
thought of colonizing the islands and instructed Lt. Archibald Blair
and Lt. R.H.Colebrook of the Royal Navy to Survey the islands and
submit a report on their suitability for a British Colony. According
to the recommendation of these two officers the first British settlement
was founded in 1789 on Chatham Island, near Port Cornwallis (Now Port
Blair). After the Great Revolt in 1857, the British Government thought
of establishing a penal settlement here. In March 1858, the first
penal settlement was established, with 200 prisoners, mostly rebels
from the Indian Army. Initially the convicts were kept in a jail at
Viper island, which is about 15 minutes boat ride from Port Blair.
The island had a jail, gallows, Kutcheri, Doctor's residence, etc.
Subsequently, this Jail was abandoned and the Cellular Jail at Port
Blair was constructed. During the time of successive Superintendents,
E.H.Man, General Steward, and Col. Cadell, the number of convicts
increased and they were subjected to inhuman tortures at the hands
of the British jailors. The foundation of the famous Cellular Jail
was laid in 1896. The building was completed in 1906. Many changes,
both in policy and practice, took place during Colonel Ferrar's time,
which, inter alia, included concession to the convicts, mainland visit,
etc.
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