Port Blair, a city that played important role in India’s struggle for independence Summary: Port Blair is the capital and the largest city in Andaman and Nicobar union territory. Blessed by the best of nature and also a monumental history, the city is also one of the most highlighted cities in the country. Visit the city to explore all aspects of it, and for accommodations choose from the best hotels in Port Blair. Body: Port Blair is the laid back capital of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar. It is the largest and the most developed city in the entire union territory. Being the most developed city in the region makes Port Blair replete of different parameters of modernization. This includes: banks, schools, hospitals, and commerce and industry. In fact, it is the only city in the entire territory which is equipped by the aforementioned parameters. Located on the eastern coast of the south Andaman island, the city acts as the sole entry/exit point in the complete territory. This means that one has to reach Port Blair first in order to access the other parts/islands of the union territory. Additionally, the city also serves as a significant Naval Base and a base of Indian Coast Guard and Indian Air Force. It is the prime market town housing a sawmill, the Aberdeen Bazaar, and a number shops, hotels, restaurants, and bus depots. Plus, the city also houses a state of art airport, which is located about 2 km from the center of the city. It is called the Veer Savarkar Airport, and is the only airport in the union territory.
The history of Port Blair is quite tragic for the fact that the city was used as the site of imprisoning the Indian freedom fighters, when the British were in power in India. Named after the British East India Company Lieutenant Archibald Blair, the city was the site where the British governors built the infamous Cellular Jail between 1896 and 1906. The jail is one of the most infamous jails in Indian history. It is recognized as the site where the prisoners were put through multiple inhuman tortures, and ultimately leading to death. It is for the fact that the place was also called Kala Pani, as the water on the shores often gets soaked with blood. However, at present the jail has been turned into a memorial, housing various relics and testaments exhibiting the life spent by the prisoners and India's struggle for independence. The jail also forms as an imperative part of the city's tourism and is in vicinity to many popular hotels in Port Blair. Meanwhile, Port Blair is rapidly developing as a major tourist destination in south India. There exist about 600 islands in the union territory, and many of these islands are still unexplored and never received human settlement. The islands near Port Blair are amongst the most beautiful ones. Plus, they are home to the local tribes that have been living in the region since several centuries. A permit has to be taken to visit some of the islands. However, a trip to them is simply worth. The popular places to visit in Port Blair include: Ross Island, Corbyn’s Cove, Chidiya Tapu, Samudrika Marine Museum, North Bay Island, Anthropological Museum, Mount Harriet, Chattam Saw Mill, Andaman Water Sports Complex, Jolly Buoy Island, Little Andaman Island, and Wandoor Beach etc. The good thing is that all the popular tourist sites are well-connected to the center of Port Blair, where also exist the most number of the best budget hotels in Port Blair. One can take taxis and ferries to reach the popular
tourist sites. Plus, some good hotels in the city also offer tour services of popular tourist spots.