Andaman and Nicobar Travel guide

A clear history of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands can be had only from a British Survey of these islands conducted in 1777. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands remained the abode of the Negritos and the Mongoloids respectively, who occupied the Islands for centuries. These islands remained secluded from the mainland till the end of the 18th Century when people from the outside world first arrived. The history of these islands could be divided into four broad periods the period of seclusion and piratical disturbances.

the British regime - a period of foreign intrusion and settlement
the Japanese regime
and the Post-Independence period.

In the Second Century, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were located in the maps prepared by the great Greek astronomer, mathematician and geographer, Claudius Ptolemaeus, which possibly is the earliest reference to these islands. The early history of Nicobar is not well known although these islands were familiar to traders in ancient times, the islands being situated close to the trade route to the Far East. Though little is known about Portuguese activities in these islands, it is evident that the Portuguese missionaries started preaching Christianity among the islanders. The Nicobarese language also reflects a few Portuguese words.

Land & People

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were shrouded in mystery for centuries because of their inaccessibility. These are the paragon of beauty and present a landscape full with scenic and picturesque extravaganza. These islands shimmer like emeralds in the Bay of Bengal. The dense forest which cover these islands and the innumerable exotic flowers and birds create a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere. "Here the white beaches on the edge of a meandering coastline have palm trees that sway to the rhythm of the Sea. The beat of tribal drums haunt the stillness and technicolour fish steer their way through crystal clear water." This addition of strangeness to beauty which is responsible for creating the infinite romantic impact may be described in the following famous lines of Keats.

"Charmed magic casement opening on the foam Of perilous seas in fair lands forlorn."

The scenic beauty of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, would create a sense of dissatisfaction and the human mind would rebel against "the whole mass of the motley facts of life". He would be guided by an irresistible desire to this paradise on earth, with invincible faith on the philosophy of Wordsworth:

"Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold is full of blessing".

The Andaman & Nicobar are a group of picturesque Islands, big and small, inhabited and uninhabited, a total of 572 islands, islets and rocks lying in the South Eastern Part of the Bay of Bengal.They lie along an arc in long and narrow broken chain, approximately North-South over a distance nearly 800 kms. . It is logical to presume a former land connection form Cape Negris at South part of Burma to Achin Head (Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra). The flora and fauna of these islands, however, indicate that this land connection if it existed, should have been prior to the development of their present life form.

Since pre-historic times, these islands have been the home of aboriginal tribes. But the first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, the year after the First War of Indian Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen.

HOW TO GET THERE?
Air	Port Blair is connected with Chennai and Calcutta by air. Presently flights are operated by Alliance Air/Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.
Sea	Regular passenger ship services are available to Port Blair from Chennai, Calcutta and Vishakhapatnam and back. There are three to four sailings every month from Calcutta and Chennai to Port Blair and vice-versa. There is one sailing from Vishakhapatnam in a month. The voyage takes about 50 to 60 hours and the ship normally berths at Port Blair for about two to four days. Further information on schedules and tariffs can be obtained from: Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. Apeejay House, 4th Floor, Dinsa Wacha Road, Mumbai – 400 020 Tel: 2822101/2823316 Fax: (022) 2022438 Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Shipping House, No. 13, Strand Road, Calcutta – 700 001 Tel: 2482354, 2488013 Fax: (033) 2482035, 2480377 Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Jawahar Building, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001 Tel: (044) 5231401, Fax: (044) 5231218 The Deputy Director of Shipping Services, A&N Administration, 6, Rajaji Salai, Chennai – 600 001 Tel: (044) 5220841/5226873 The Directorate of Shipping Services, A&N Administration, Phoenix Bay Jetty, Port Blair (For MV Nancowry and MV Swarajdweep) Tel: (03192) 232528/232742 Fax: (03192) 230480 Shipping Corporation of India Ltd., Aberdeen Bazar, Port Blair – 744 101 Tel: (03192) 233347, 233590 Fax: (03192) 233778 M/s A.V. Bhanojirao and Garuda Pattabhiramayya & Co., Post Box No. 17, Vishakapatnam (Agent – Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.) Tel: (0891) 565597/562661, Fax: 566507/549224

SHIP FARE

Name of Vessel	Class of Accommodation	Fare for Islanders	Fare per berth (Tourist/Non Islanders) (in Rs.)
M.V.Nicobar M.V.Nancowry M.V.Swarajdweep	Deluxe Cabin A-Class Cabin B-Class Cabin Bunk	3,280.00 2,970.00 2,230.00 590.00	5,880.00 4,860.00 3,870.00 1,510.00
M.V.Harshvardhana	Deluxe Cabin 1st Class Cabin 4 & 6 Berth Cabin 2nd Class Cabin Bunk	3,280.00 2,970.00 2,230.00 1,960.00 590.00	5,880.00 4,860.00 3,870.00 2,990.00 1,510.00
M.V.Akbar	Deluxe Cabin 1st Class Cabin AC Dormitory Ordinary Bunk	3,280.00 2,860.00 1,490.00 550.00	5,880.00 4,150.00 2,530.00 1,310.00

Location

Location	Bay of Bengal
Longitude	92° to 94° East
Latitude	6° to 14° North

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