GUWAHATI: The Central Government of India has renamed Port Blair on September 13, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to "Sri Vijaya Puram."
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Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the decision as an initiative to shed “remnants of colonial rule,” emphasising the island's historical significance in India's freedom struggle. “While the earlier name had a colonial legacy, Sri Vijaya Puram symbolises the victory achieved in our freedom struggle and the A&N Islands' unique role in the same,” Shah said on X.
The new name, Sri Vijaya Puram, is inspired by the Chola Empire, which once used the islands as a naval base. Shah also noted that the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are now crucial for modern India's strategic and developmental goals.
Previously, three islands in the archipelago were renamed in 2018, as Ross Island became Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep, Neil Island was renamed Shaheed Dweep, and Havelock Island became Swaraj Dweep.
