September 14, 2024

Current Affairs

Port Blair renamed as Sri Vijaya Puram

Context: Port Blair has been renamed ‘Sri Vijaya Puram’ by the Government of India in an effort to move beyond its colonial legacy. The new name pays tribute to the region’s historical ties with the Srivijaya Empire. This renaming also symbolizes the triumph of India's freedom struggle, recognizing the unique and vital role the Andaman and Nicobar Islands played in that historic fight for independence.

Introduction:

Port Blair, the gateway to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, was named after Archibald Blair, a naval surveyor and lieutenant in the Bombay Marine.
Blair was the first to conduct a detailed survey of the Andaman Islands, a crucial factor in the city’s establishment.

Archibald Blair’s early career and survey missions:

Blair began his service in the Bombay Marine in 1771, embarking on numerous survey missions across the coasts of India, Iran, and Arabia.
His work extended into various regions, including the Chagos Archipelago, Diamond Harbour near Calcutta, and along the Hooghly River.
These early missions earned him a reputation as a skilled surveyor, leading to his involvement in a mission to the Andaman Islands.

Survey of the Andaman Islands and naming of Port Cornwallis:

In December 1778, Blair departed from Calcutta with two ships, the Elizabeth and the Viper, to explore the Andaman Islands.
His expedition, lasting until April 1779, navigated the west coast and subsequently the east coast of the islands.
During this survey, Blair discovered a natural harbour, which he initially named Port Cornwallis, after William Cornwallis, then Commander-in-Chief of the British Indian Army.
Later the island was renamed after him.
Recognizing the strategic importance of this harbour, Blair reported his findings to the East India Company (EIC), who were impressed by the potential of the location.
Colonization of the Andaman Islands:
- Following Blair’s discovery, the EIC decided to colonize the islands to establish a safe harbour to monitor and counter Malay pirate activities.
- Port Cornwallis would also serve as a refuge for shipwrecked sailors and as a shelter for British officers during hostilities with other powers.
- As part of the colonization process, several convicts were transported to the islands to perform unpaid labor, and the region became a penal colony.
Decline of the first colony:
- In December 1792, for strategic reasons, the colony was shifted to the northeast part of the Andaman Islands, and the new settlement was named Port Cornwallis.
- However, this new colony did not last long, as the settlers faced severe disease outbreaks, resulting in numerous deaths.
- By 1796, the East India Company ceased operations on the island due to the unsustainable living conditions.

Port Blair and the revival of penal colony post-1857 revolt:

The Revolt of 1857 changed the course of Port Blair's history.
The British, now burdened with a large number of Indian prisoners, decided to renovate and resettle Port Blair as a penal colony.
Many of these prisoners were given life sentences, with some being hanged, and others succumbing to disease and the harsh conditions of the settlement.
With the rise of the Indian Independence Movement, the British constructed a vast cellular jail in 1906, now infamously known as Kaala Paani.
This jail housed numerous Indian freedom fighters, including Veer Damodar Savarkar, becoming a symbol of British colonial oppression.

Blair’s exploration and discovery were instrumental in shaping the colonial history of the Andaman Islands.

Certain facts about Port Blair

Port Blair, now officially known as Sri Vijaya Puram, serves as the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory of India situated in the Bay of Bengal.
It functions as the headquarters of the South Andaman district.
Port Blair is home to several strategic military installations. Indian Navy's major naval base, INS Jarawa, is located here, along with air and sea bases operated by Indian Coast Guard, Andaman and Nicobar Police, and Andaman and Nicobar Command-the first integrated tri-command of the Indian Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

In Indian freedom struggle movement:

Netaji Subas Chandra Bose escaped British surveillance in Calcutta on January 16, 1941, and returned to Indian soil nearly three years later, arriving at Port Blair Aerodrome on December 29, 1943.
On 30 December 1943, Netaji hoisted the national flag for the first time on Indian soil, at Port Blair, symbolizing the fulfilment of his promise that the Indian National Army (INA) would stand on Indian land by the end of 1943. This momentous visit also marked the declaration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the ‘first liberated territory of India.’
To commemorate this significant event, a Sankalp Smarak (Memorial of Resolve) was dedicated to the nation on December 29, 2021 (78 years after Bose's historic arrival in the Andamans).

From 1943 to 44 during World War II, this territory served as the headquarters of the Azad Hind government under Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. The island at the time was liberated from British rule by Japan which captured it during World War II. British forces eventually regained control of the islands in October 1945.

History of Engagement of Imperial Chola with Andaman Islands and Srivijaya:

During the 11th century, the powerful Chola emperor, Rajendra I, used the Andaman Islands as a naval base to launch a significant military campaign against the Srivijaya Empire (southern Sumatra), located in present-day Indonesia.
Strategic importance:
- According to inscriptions found at Thanjavur dated to 1050 CE, the Cholas referred to the Andaman Islands as Ma-Nakkavaram (great open or naked land), which is believed to have contributed to the modern name of Nicobar under British rule.
- The islands’ geographic location made them an ideal staging ground for naval expeditions aimed at Southeast Asia.
- His attack on Srivijaya was a remarkable event, reflecting the Chola Empire’s strength and its influence in the region.
Invasion of Srivijaya:
- The Chola invasion of Srivijaya was unique in India’s otherwise peaceful interactions with Southeast Asia.
- For nearly a millennium, Southeast Asian states had come under the strong cultural influence of India, but this military campaign marked a rare instance of direct conflict.
Reasons for invasion:
- The Srivijaya Empire may have attempted to disrupt Chola trade routes with the East, which prompted Rajendra I’s military response.
- It is also believed that Rajendra I sought to extend his digvijaya (conquest of all directions) to Southeast Asia, thereby enhancing his imperial glory.
- The attack on Srivijaya was also part of the Chola’s broader expansionist ambitions, which also included conflicts with other South Indian empires and Sri Lanka.

Outcome:

Rajendra I’s naval campaign against Srivijaya resulted in significant victories.
According to inscriptional records, he captured Srivijaya’s king, Sangrama Vijayottunggavarman, and seized valuable treasures from the Buddhist empire, including the Vidhyadara Torana, a jewelled war gate of Srivijaya.
The control over the Srivijaya Empire in Southeast Asia gave access to a major commercial hub.
The conquest gave the Cholas control over important maritime trade routes.
This victory not only marked the height of Chola naval power but also demonstrated the empire’s capacity to influence events far beyond the Indian subcontinent.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, through their association with Rajendra I’s naval expeditions, gained a significant role in India’s maritime strategy and historical narratives.

About Rajendra Chola I (reigned from 1014 and 1044 CE):

Introduction:

Rajaraja I appointed his son, Rajendra I, as his heir apparent, marking the continuation of the Chola dynasty.
For two years, they ruled jointly, with Rajendra actively participating in campaigns, especially against the Western Chalukyas.
These efforts extended the Chola Empire's boundaries to the Tungabhadra River, securing its northern frontier.

Conquest of the Pandyas and Sri Lanka:

One of the major achievements during Rajaraja’s reign was the attack on Madurai, forcing the Pandya rulers to flee to Sri Lanka.
Rajendra I continued this campaign, successfully conquering Sri Lanka and reclaiming the Pandya crown and jewels.
This victory further solidified Chola dominance over the Pandyas and Sri Lanka.

Northern expeditions:

After ascending the throne in 1014 CE, Rajendra launched a significant campaign into northern India, extending the Chola influence beyond the Godavari River.
His forces secured key victories, leading to the construction of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, commemorating the northern conquests.

Western Chalukya campaigns:

Rajendra I continued his father’s campaigns against the Western Chalukyas, successfully sacking their capital, Kalayani.
The dwarapala statue from Kalayani, installed at the Darasuram temple, is a lasting symbol of these victories.

Rajendra I assumed titles such as Mudikonda Cholan, Gangaikondan, and Kadaramkondan to reflect his military triumphs and scholarly achievements. His reign marked the zenith of Chola power, extending from South India to Southeast Asia, cementing the Chola Empire as one of the most powerful in Indian history.

Battle of Saragarhi

Context: September 12 marks the 127th anniversary of the Battle of Saragarhi, regarded today as one of the finest last stands in global military history.

About Battle of Saragarhi

Saragarhi was the communication tower between Fort Lockhart and Fort Gulistan. The two forts in the rugged North West Frontier Province (NWFP), now in Pakistan, were built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh but renamed by the British.
Though Saragarhi was usually manned by a platoon of 40 soldiers, on that fateful day, it was being held by only 21 soldiers from the 36th Sikh regiment (now 4 Sikh) of the British Indian Army and a non-combatant called Daad, a Pashtun who did odd jobs for the troops. The post was led by Havildar Ishar Singh.
The purpose of the this post was to maintain communication between the two forts using heliograph, a signalling device that used flashes of sunlight to transmit messages.
On 12 September 1897, a massive force of around 10,000 Afghan Afridi and Orakzai tribals attacked Saragarhi, trying to cut communication between the forts.
Despite being heavily outnumbered, the 21 Sikh soldiers decided to fight rather than surrender.
Havildar Ishar Singh and his men held their ground for several hours, engaging in fierce combat, fought till their last breath, killing 200 tribals and injuring 600.
In 2017, the Punjab government declared 12th September a public holiday to commemorate Saragarhi Day.
To this day, the Khyber Scouts regiment of the Pakistani army continues to honour the Saragarhi memorial near Fort Lockhart with a guard and salute.

The Great Stupa of Sanchi

Context: In December 2022, the Humboldt Forum Museum in Berlin, Germany, unveiled an intricately designed red sandstone gateway, a 1:1 replica of the original East Gate of Sanchi's Great Stupa. At nearly 10 metres tall, 6 metres wide, and weighing around 150 tonnes, this reproduction reflects the detailed craftsmanship of the ancient structure. Its significance was highlighted by a visit from India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, emphasizing the ongoing cultural dialogue between India and Germany.

Stupa

A stupa is a commemorative monument usually containing sacred relics of the Buddha or other venerable saints.
The archetypal/typical stupa is a hemispherical structure, whose origins can be traced to pre-Buddhist burial mounds found in India.
The Great Stupa of Sanchi exemplifies this form.

Sanchi Stupa:

Location: Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh.
The Sanchi complex was in a state of profound disrepair when it was first encountered by British officer Henry Taylor in 1818.
This discovery led to a renewed interest in the site, which was subsequently formally surveyed and excavated by Alexander Cunningham, the founder of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), in 1851.
The restoration of the site to its current condition was overseen by ASI Director-General John Marshall during the 1910s, with crucial financial support from the Begums of Bhopal.
The most recent construction in Sanchi can be dated to as late as the twelfth century CE.
The Great Stupa is one of the oldest standing stone structures in India, believed to have been built over the Buddha’s relics.
The development of the Sanchi complex was supported by patronage from Vidisha’s mercantile community.
The Great Stupa and Sanchi's other Buddhist monuments were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1989.
The Sanchi Stupa is featured on the reverse side of the ₹200 Indian currency note to highlight its significance as a cornerstone of Indian cultural heritage.

Commissioned by Emperor Ashoka:

The Sanchi Stupa was originally commissioned by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE.
The initial design of the stupa featured a simple hemispherical brick dome constructed over the relics of the Buddha.
This early form was crowned with a Chatra, a symbolizing high rank, intended to honour and protect the sacred relics of Buddha.
Ashoka’s wife Devi was a merchant’s daughter from nearby Vidisha and a native of Sanchi, oversaw the construction.

Expansions:

In the 1st century BCE, significant enhancements were made to the original stupa.
Four elaborately carved Toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade (railing or barrier supported by a series of vertical posts) encircling the structure were added.
These additions marked the stupa’s transition from its Mauryan origins to a more ornate and decorative phase.

Structural developments:

Subsequent rulers, particularly the Shungas and Satavahanas, expanded and embellished the stupa.
During the Shunga period, the stupa was significantly enlarged with stone slabs, increasing its size to nearly twice its original diameter.
The dome was flattened near the top and crowned with three superimposed parasols, set within a square railing, symbolizing the Dharma, or Wheel of the Law.
The high circular drum supporting the dome was designed for circumambulation (Pradakshinapath) and accessible via a double staircase, complemented by a stone balustrade enclosing a second pathway at ground level.
The railings surrounding Stupa 1, dating to around 150 BCE or 175–125 BCE, are composed of plain stone slabs with dedicatory inscriptions.
These railings, though made of stone, mimic a wooden prototype, evident from the slanted joints resembling those in wood rather than vertical cuts typical of stonework.
The railings also feature short donor inscriptions in Brahmi script, with additional inscriptions added during the Gupta Period.

Satavahana contributions:

The Satavahana Empire, under the rule of Satakarni II, conquered eastern Malwa from the Shungas, gaining control over the Sanchi site.
The Satavahanas are credited with constructing the ornate gateways around the original Mauryan and Shunga stupas.
The 1st century BCE saw the introduction of highly decorated gateways, which were also coloured.
An inscription in Brahmi script, the Siri-Satakani inscription, commemorates the donation of one of the top lintels of the Southern Gateway by the artisans of King Satakarni II, reflecting the ongoing patronage and cultural significance of the site.

Gateways of the Great Stupa:

The Great Stupa at Sanchi is renowned not just for its hemispherical dome crowned with a chhatra (parasol) but also for its intricately carved ornamental gateways or toranas.
These gateways, constructed in the first century BCE during the Satavahana dynasty, serve as remarkable illustrations of Buddhist art and iconography.
The Stupa is surrounded by four toranas, each oriented towards one of the cardinal directions.
These gateways are composed of two square pillars topped with capitals, which support a superstructure.
The pillars and lintels are adorned with elaborate bas reliefs and sculptures depicting scenes from the Buddha’s life, stories from the Jataka Tales, and other Buddhist motifs.

1. Southern gateway:

The Southern Gateway, the first of the four to be erected, is situated directly in front of the steps leading to the stupa’s terrace.
It is considered the main entrance to the stupa.
The decorations emphasize the role of Ashoka in spreading Buddhism.

2. Northern gateway:

The Northern Gateway, the second to be constructed, is the best-preserved of the four.
It retains most of its original ornamental figures and provides a clear view of the artistic style used in all the gateways.
This gateway features panels that narrate various events from the Buddha’s life.
A notable atypical panel depicts foreigners making a dedication at the Southern Gateway.

3. Eastern gateway:

eastern gateway of sanchi stupa — ***(Eastern Gateway)***

The Eastern Gateway, constructed third, is particularly famous in Europe due to its plaster cast, created by Lieutenant Henry Hardy Cole in the late 1860s. This cast was widely distributed and displayed across Europe, including at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
The upper lintel of the Eastern Gateway represents the seven Manushi Buddhas, with the historical Buddha being the latest.
The middle lintel depicts the Great Departure, where Prince Siddhartha leaves Kapilavastu.
The lower lintel portrays Emperor Ashoka visiting the Bodhi tree.
Decorative elements include shalabhanjika (fertility emblems represented by a yakshi grasping a tree branch), elephants, winged lions, and peacocks.

4. Western gateway:

The Western Gateway, the last of the four to be built, follows the same structural design as the other gateways, with two square pillars, capitals, and a superstructure of three architraves.