Port Blair

Port Blair (coordinates: {{coor dm|11|40|N|92|45|E}}) is the largest town in the Andaman Islands and the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands union territory of India. It lies on the east coast of South Andaman Island and is the main entry point to the islands.

Related Topics:
Andaman Islands - Andaman and Nicobar Islands - Union territory - India - South Andaman Island

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It is also the headquarters for the Indian district of Andaman, and the local administrative sub-division (tehsil), which is also called Port Blair.

Related Topics:
Indian district - Andaman - Tehsil - Port Blair

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The town's population as per the latest (2001) Census of India figures was 99,984.

Related Topics:
2001 - Census of India

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The town is named for Archibald Blair of the British East India Company, who founded a nearby penal colony in 1789. Port Blair was founded by the British in 1858, the Cellular Jail surviving from this period.

Related Topics:
Archibald Blair - British East India Company - Penal colony - 1789 - British - 1858 - Cellular Jail

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For a time during 1943 and 1944, Port Blair was the headquarters of the Indian National Army government under Subhash Chandra Bose.

Related Topics:
1943 - 1944 - Indian National Army - Subhash Chandra Bose

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The town is a port, with ferries sailing to mainland India, and home to an airport. It is also home to several museums and a major base for the Indian Coast Guard. Although damaged by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, Port Blair survived sufficiently to act as a base for relief efforts in the islands.

Related Topics:
Port - Airport - Indian Coast Guard - 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake

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