When visiting Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is imperative to mention the Cellular Jail. This prison was constructed by the British to imprison Indian freedom fighters and inflict cruelty upon them. It is also infamous as “Kala Pani” (Black Water). The walls and every brick of this jail bear silent witness to the atrocities, oppression, and tortures inflicted upon Indian freedom fighters by the British government.
Indian freedom fighters or rebels who opposed the British government were sentenced to life imprisonment in “Kala Pani” or Cellular Jail, ensuring that no one would dare oppose the government again. The first batch of prisoners arrived here on March 10, 1858, under the supervision of military doctor and Agra Jail warden J.P. Walker and jailer David Berry, aboard a small warship.
The foundation of Cellular Jail was laid in 1897, and it was completed in 1906. The jail comprised 698 cells, each measuring 15×8 feet. Windows were placed three meters above the ground in each cell to prevent prisoners from communicating with each other. The vast prison, resembling an octopus with its seven wings, now only retains three segments. The prison walls bear the names of brave martyrs, and there is a museum where one can view the weapons used to torture freedom fighters. The construction cost of the jail is estimated to be around ₹517,000, and materials for its construction were reportedly brought from Burma. Prisoners sentenced to hard labor were forced to work day and night on the construction site.
Historians say that Cellular Jail was a prison with no real boundaries. The surrounding environment consisted of rocky and lifeless land, dense forests where sunlight barely reached the ground: an open blue sky, a hostile and poisonous climate, severe water shortages, and unfriendly tribes.
Notably, the renowned revolutionary, freedom fighter, social reformer, historian, politician, and thinker Vinayak Damodar Savarkar was sentenced to “Kala Pani” and sent to Cellular Jail on April 7, 1911. He was accused of plotting to overthrow the British government by allegedly masterminding the murders of various officials. According to Savarkar, prisoners in this jail had to endure hard labor. They were made to extract oil from mustard and coconut using a traditional oil press and were also required to clear the surrounding forests and level the marshy and hilly areas. Those who did not comply faced severe punishment, including beatings with sticks and whips, and were not provided adequate food. Savarkar remained in Port Blair Jail from July 4, 1911, to May 21, 1921. He is honored by his supporters as Veer Savarkar, and a beautiful park named after him stands outside the jail complex. Airport of Port Blair, too, has been named as Veer Savarkar International Airport to pay homage to this phenomenal freedom fighter.
The term “Kala Pani” is derived from the Sanskrit word “Kala,” which means time or death. Thus, “Kala Pani” signifies a place of death from which no one returns alive. Another belief is that “Kala Pani” refers to the prohibition in Hinduism against crossing the sea, which was believed to result in the loss of one’s social status, cultural integrity, and the degradation of future generations.
One of the attractions of Port Blair’s Cellular Jail is the “Sound and Light Show” held in the evening within the prison complex. This show is a remarkable blend of information and entertainment, depicting the history of the jail. For those interested in the sacrifices made by India’s freedom fighters, this show is a must-see. Through an artistic presentation of sound and light, the suffering of the prisoners comes alive, creating an emotional experience that immerses the audience in the poignant memories of the past and the heroic sacrifices of the martyrs.
Within the jail premises, certain places have been preserved, such as the spot where prisoners’ religious rites were performed before they were put on the gallows, the whipping area, and the area where prisoners toiled to extract oil from coconuts manually.
We need to honor and pay homage to these courageous souls from across our nation who sacrificed their life in the shadowy confines of the Cellular Jail. These freedom fighters of our country endured immense hardships, with many giving their lives so that future generations could breathe free. Their unwavering dedication and sacrifice paved the way for our independence, and we owe them an eternal debt of gratitude.
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