History of Port Blair

Port Blair played an important role in shaping the history of India especially in the Indian freedom movement. The island became the favourite spot for Britishers to deport the Indian nationalists who were arrested on defying charges. The deported Indians were kept in solitary confinement and were not even allowed to meet their families. Owing to the cold-blooded treatment meted out to the prisoners which included starvation, Port Blair became notorious as Kaala Pani or black waters.