cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-1-attr-hero.jpg

Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Cellular Jail

cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-2-attr-hero.jpg
cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-nicobar-island-2-attr-hero.jpg
cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-nicobar-island-1-attr-hero.jpg
cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-1-attr-hero.jpg
cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-and-nicobar-islands-2-attr-hero.jpg
cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-nicobar-island-2-attr-hero.jpg
cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-nicobar-island-1-attr-hero.jpg
map

January

19.5 - 31.2 °C

February

19.8 - 32.0 °C

March

20.8 - 33.6 °C

April

22.9 - 34.3 °C

May

22.4 - 34.0 °C

June

22.1 - 31.8 °C

July

21.8 - 31.2 °C

August

21.9 - 31.1 °C

September

21.9 - 31.3 °C

October

22.2 - 31.8 °C

November

22.0 - 32.0 °C

December

20.6 - 31.4 °C


Major Airports :

Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Sri Vijaya Puram

Major Airports :

Veer Savarkar International Airport (IXZ), Sri Vijaya Puram

The murky reminder of tyranny

In the picturesque Islands of Andaman and Nicobar, one would never imagine a colonial prison to exist. Yet, in such a location of divine beauty stands the Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani - Black Water, upright in the heart of Sri Vijaya Puram. This three-storeyed prison, constructed by the British in 1906, is a pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters, now dedicated to the nation as a National Memorial.

Along with the colour puce, the walls of the Cellular jail are stained with unforgettable tales of oppression and colonial tyranny. This colossal edifice has mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities borne by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters.

When the ship of James Peterson Walker, the superintendent of Penal settlement, landed on this island, so did a group of 200 chained freedom fighters who were the first to revolt against the Union Jack. Forced to build the abyss they were caged in, many took their last breath in the dream of being free and setting foot in the motherland free from oppression.

The Cellular Jail is not just a monument but also a profound testament to the human cost of freedom. It is a place that stirs emotions, compels reflection, and ignites a deep appreciation for the hard-won liberties we enjoy today.

A cage for heroes that echoes hope

Based on the idea of the Panopticon (a prison with a central observation tower overlooking individual cells), the construction of the Cellular jail started in 1896 and took 10 years to complete. It contained 3 floors and 7 wings, each connecting like spokes of a wheel. Today, you'll only be able to witness 3 wings, as the rest were demolished after independence.

696 cells were built to host the prisoners in solitary confinement, which only had a small ventilator as a window to the world outside. If you thought this was the worst that could happen, prepare yourself.

Torture, forced labour, and death were followed by poor living conditions, which made this prison a hell nobody could escape from. In response to poor conditions in the Cellular Jail, including the quality of prison food, many prisoners went on hunger strikes. Those who did were often force-fed by the prison authorities.

The feeling of hopelessness still lingers in the air as you step inside the premises. Every nook and corner of this memorial is heavy with the weight of untold stories and grim reminders of a ghastly time that was experienced by our brave heroes whose only crime was to dream of breathing under a free sky. After Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore protested against the brutality, the colonial government emptied the prison in 1939. The Japanese captured it two years later to be transformed into a POW camp, and by 1945, this island was the first territory of India to be declared independent.

Take a walk, take a look at the pictures and peer into the solitary cells. This experience, unlike any other, shows you a grim history of a time gone by and tells you a story of keeping hopes alive against all uncertainties.

End your tour with the poignant sound and light show, which depicts the heartbreaking ordeal of the sufferings and trials faced by our brave freedom fighters. You won't be the only one who'll leave with moistened eyes and overwhelming gratitude towards the heroes who fought for our freedom.


in.gov.incredibleindia.core.models.impl.ImageUtilModelImpl@bfa706
Timings

Opening time - 09:00 AM

Closing time - 05:00 PM

Cellular Jail Light & Sound (Hindi) - 5:50 PM (All days)

Cellular Jail Light & Sound (English) - 6:50 PM (Mon, Wed, Fri)

You may enjoy

music-port-blair-andaman-nicobar-island-1-blog-art-exp-cit-pop.jpg

Elevate your experience

Once you've explored the jail premises, take a sneak peek into history at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, where echoes of freedom fighters still linger. Or hop on a ferry to Ross Island, once the administrative capital during British rule, now adorned with crumbling colonial architecture and verdant landscapes. Still not full? Head to Mount Harriet National Park, where emerald forests and sights of beauty await atop the highest peak in the Andamans. But wait, the adventure doesn't end there! Strap on your snorkel and dive into the azure waters of North Bay Island, teeming with colourful corals and mesmerising marine life. And for the cherry on top, savour freshly caught seafood at the bustling Aberdeen Bazaar, where flavours from across the archipelago dance on your palate.

So come, pack your curiosity, a thirst for knowledge, and a camera to capture the essence of the Cellular Jail. This place stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the unwavering fight for freedom.