The pre-Independence Indian Bastille, known as Andaman’s Revolutionary Cellular Jail, is now revered as a representation of India’s struggle for independence. Hundreds of freedom fighters viewed the final image of their motherland’s independence as they fought for it in the isolated, gloomy prisons.
With a commemorative event to mark the 100th anniversary of Cellular Jail on March 10, 2006, the lessons of sacrifice, heroic deeds, and the sufferings endured by the brave revolutionaries of India’s three freedom struggles came to life. The Indian Bastille still stands as a silent reminder of the valiant revolutionaries who made the ultimate sacrifices for their country.
About Andaman’s Revolutionary Cellular Jail
The Andaman’s Revolutionary Cellular Jail is a symbol of India’s struggle for freedom and the movements of umpteen shades and types that shackled the British Empire in India. The Andaman and Nicobar administration organized a solemn centenary function on March 10, 2006, to honor all surviving ex-Andaman political prisoners, spouses, and close relatives of deceased freedom fighters.
Their punishments included additional time in the grinding mill, standing handcuffed for a week, wearing bar fetters for six months, and being imprisoned in solitary cells, among other things; four days of starvation diet; and crossing bars for ten days.
The prisoners became out of breath, their tongues parched, their limbs numb, their hands bruised, and their minds racing.
Stories of Never-Forgotten Soldiers
More freedom fighters made history and lost their lives for our country than the ones listed below. These were convicts and inmates at Cellular Prison who made a significant contribution to India’s freedom. I discovered during my visit that many inmates had fought and struggled for independence without receiving any honor.
Mahavir Singh
Mahavir Singh was Kunwar Devi Singh’s son. Born in Uttar Pradesh in 1908, he was a member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.
Ram Prasad Bismil, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, Sachindranath Sanyal, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.
The Republican Socialist Army is led by Ram Prasad Bismil, Sachindra Nath Bakshi, Sachindranath Sanyal, and Jogesh Chandra Chatterjee, who founded the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.
He took part in the first hunger strike while imprisoned in May 1933. He died as a result of the grueling force-feeding.
Sachindranath Sanyal
Indian revolutionary Sachindranath Sanyal was born in Varanasi in 1893 and was a founding member of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army.
Following Britain’s victory in 1920, the British government released many prisoners, including Sachindranath Sanyal.
Even after his release, he continued to fight for liberty. He served as a mentor to other liberation fighters like Sukhdev and Bhagat Singh.
Yogendra Shukla
He, another co-founder of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Army, was born in Bihar in 1896. Yogendra Shukla was imprisoned in the cellular jail for five years, from 1932 to 1937.
He was held in many prisons, and as a result of his lengthy time behind bars, he developed a terrible illness and passed away in 1960.
Vinayak Damodar “Veer” Savarkar
Vinayak Damodar “Veer” Savarkar was an Indian activist and politician who was born in 1883. Under Code 121-A, he was detained and sent to cellular jail on two counts: the Nasik conspiracy case and the King-Emperor conspiracy.
He received a total sentence of 50 years in prison. Savarkar passed away in 1966 at his home in Bombay.
Batukeshwar Dutta
He was a freedom fighter whose name was suppressed by independent India. Batukeshwar Dutta, born in West Bengal in 1910, was an Indian independence fighter and revolutionary.
He belonged to the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association. He died in New Delhi in 1965 after a long illness.
Booking for Cellular Jail
Cellular Jail is a popular tourist destination in Port Blair.
The Cellular Jail (not the light and sound show) is open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
The entrance fee is only INR 30 per person for Indians and INR 100 per person for foreign nationals.
Jail Museum
The Cellular Jail Museum is a vital part of the Cellular Jail complex. It contains artifacts and stories depicting the lives of the prisoners.
Light and Sound show
The light and sound show is a performance in which an old tree in the cellular jail tells stories about the prisoners and their ordeals.
Bookings for the light and sound show (which costs INR 300 per person) usually sell out quickly. As a result, I strongly advise you to plan your visit ahead of time.
There are two ways to register for the light and sound show:
- Reservations are available on the Andaman Tourism website.
- Despite the stated procedures at the entrances (as seen in the picture below), booking is a laborious and time-consuming process, especially considering the island’s subpar wifi network.
How do I get to the Andaman’s Revolutionary Cellular Jail?
Here are the steps to get there:
By air: The closest airport to Port Blair is Veer Savarkar International Airport, which has direct flights to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bangalore. To get to Cellular Jail, you can hire a taxi or take a pre-paid taxi from the airport.
By Sea: Port Blair has direct marine routes to Visakhapatnam, Visakha, and Kolkata. Regular passenger ships and ferries connect these cities to Port Blair.
When you arrive in Port Blair, you can take a taxi, a bus, or a two-wheeler to Cellular Jail.
In conclusion, there isn’t a better list of the Top Andaman’s Revolutionary Cellular Jail. a glimpse of India’s liberation struggle, where you can spend some memorable moments, so why miss out? Come here with your significant other, family, and friends. Nirmana Tours & Holidays can assist you in planning a visit to the Andaman Islands. Don’t pass up these incredible opportunities.
How was the Cellular Jail an important part of India's freedom struggle?
The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, was a notorious prison constructed by the British colonial government in 1896 to imprison Indian freedom fighters. It was an important part of India's freedom struggle, as it was used to imprison many of the country's most prominent freedom fighters. Despite the harsh conditions, the prisoners continued to organize and plan for India's independence, using secret codes and messages to communicate with each other. The struggle of the prisoners inspired others across India to join the fight for freedom, and the jail became a symbol of British tyranny and oppression. Today, it is a national monument and museum, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for India's freedom.
What was the freedom struggle in Andaman and Nicobar island?
The freedom struggle in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands was part of India's broader struggle for independence from British rule, led by a number of Indian freedom fighters, many of whom were imprisoned in the Cellular Jail. Today, the islands remain an integral part of India and serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for the country's independence.
What is the importance of Cellular Jail in Andaman history?
The Cellular Jail, built in 1896 as a maximum-security prison to house political prisoners, became a symbol of British tyranny and oppression, inspiring public support for the freedom struggle. Today, it is a national monument and museum, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who fought for India's freedom.
Who are the 10 freedom fighters in Cellular Jail?
The Cellular Jail, also known as Kala Pani, housed several Indian freedom fighters who were imprisoned by the British colonial government for their involvement in the struggle for India's independence. Ten of the most well-known freedom fighters were held in the jail: Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, Ullaskar Dutt, Yogendra Shukla, Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, Ahmadullah, Pandit Karyanand Sharma, Sachindra Nath Sanyal, Diwan Singh Kalewani, and Barindra Kumar Ghosh. Their sacrifice and determination to fight for India's freedom continues to inspire people to this day.