History of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The history of Andaman and Nicobar makes it one of the famous tourist spots. The place is bestowed with plenty of natural and wonderful landscapes and scenic beauty. This makes it an interesting tourist location where tourists around the world wish to visit during the peak seasons. Before making a plan to visit the islands, a good research can be conducted by using sources like internet. It gives plenty of information on Andaman and Nicobar history and its famous tourist places that can be covered when you actually visit the place.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands have been invaded by many inhabitants that continued for a very long period during the ancient times. The history of the island covers references of a number of inhabitants. A number of inhabitants lived in Andaman and Nicobar Island for quite a long period in the past and inspired the culture, tradition and language of the people who lived there.

Historical Evidences of Inhabitants of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

The foremost inhabitant of Andaman and Nicobar Islands dates back around 2000 years ago. Archaeological evidences about the islands give references about the genetic indications and traces of different cultures. Whereas the studies related to linguistic separation dates back to around 30,000 to 60,000 years and caters to the Middle Paleolithic era. As the local people maintained a diversification from the surroundings for a very long period, they remained isolated.

The years after 1850s brought the islands closer to its other surroundings. A variety of isolated sub-groups speaking languages like the Jarawa, Jangil, Onge and Sentinelese comprised the local population of Andaman and Nicobar for a very long period.

The initial population of Andaman and Nicobar islands mostly comprised of the prisoners. Gradually, with the increase in the number of settlers, the population increased. Moreover, the indentured laborers who settled there were later appointed as farmers. Further, with the expeditions of Britishers and their troops and certain epidemic diseases, the number of these farmers, the Jangil speaking people and many other Andamanese groups eventually decreased. At present, roughly 400-450 native Andamanese people, the Jarawa's and the Sentinelese have remained who maintain an unwavering independence. Moreover, they do not openly make any attempt to get contacted neither do they try to make contact with others in the nearby vicinity.

Similar is the case of the natives of the Nicobars. As these are unrelated to the Andamanese people, they too maintain an isolated status. The groups that are the Nicobarese and the Shompen comprise of the Nicobar region wherein the farmers live throughout the islands while the Shompen's are constrained to the regions of hinterland of Great Nicobar area.

Pre-colonial Period of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

It is believed that during 1014 to 1042 CE, Rajendra Cholan I, a king of Tamil Chola dynasty captured the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He used the place as a strategic naval base to initiate a naval based mission in opposition to Sriwijaya Empire, which was a Hindu-Malay kingdom based on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. It is believed that the island name that is 'Andaman' have evolved from the God Hanuman.

Danish East India Company Era

Danish East India Company led to European immigration and ultimately their colonization on the islands during 1754-1756. Further, from 1848, Austria attempted to establish colonies over there which finally got ended in 1868 when Britishers took control.

British Colonial Period

Britishers mostly used the land of Andaman and Nicobar islands for prisoners of Indian independence movement as they were entitled for 'Kala pani'. Later, when India and Burma gained independence, the Britishers announced resettling of the Anglo-Indian and Anglo-Burmese people on the islands to form their own country which never materialized. In 1956, the island became a part of the Indian union and was declared as a union territory then onwards.

The history of Andaman and Nicobar Islands makes it all the more luring for national and international visitors.