5 Points About Archibald Blair, After Whom Port Blair Was Named

Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was originally named after Captain Archibald Blair, a British colonial naval officer.

The Centre on Friday renamed Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to Sri Vijaya Puram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the name Sri Vijaya Puram honours the "rich history and heroic people of Andaman and Nicobar islands".

"It also reflects our commitment to break free from the colonial mindset and celebrate our heritage," PM Modi posted on X.

Home Minister Amit Shah also took to his official X account and said, “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. Andaman & Nicobar Islands have an unparalleled place in our freedom struggle and history. The island territory that once served as the naval base of the Chola Empire is today poised to be the critical base for our strategic and development aspirations.”

Port Blair was originally named after Captain Archibald Blair, a British colonial naval officer.