10 Interesting Facts About Cellular Jail, Andaman and Nicobar
Cellular Jail, often referred to as “Kala Pani,” was one of the most feared colonial prisons. Located in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this prison was notorious for the brutal treatment of its inmates. Freedom fighters sentenced here endured severe punishments, including the infamous "black water" penalty.
10 Fascinating Facts About Cellular Jail
# The History of Cellular Jail
Cellular Jail is a grim reminder of one of the darkest chapters in India's history. Built by the British after the 1857 revolt, its primary purpose was to subject Indian freedom fighters to extreme torture. It was strategically designed to keep political prisoners completely isolated, preventing any contact with the outside world. This remote prison served as a tool for the British to suppress the freedom movement by exiling revolutionaries far from the mainland.
# Location of Cellular Jail
Situated in Port Blair, Cellular Jail is surrounded by the vast expanse of the sea, making escape nearly impossible. While the perimeter walls were small and easy to cross, prisoners who attempted to flee would inevitably plunge into the deep ocean, leading to almost certain death by drowning.
# Construction Timeline
The construction of Cellular Jail took a decade, from 1896 to 1906. The British laid its foundation in 1896, and by 1906, it was fully operational. The prison had 698 cells, each measuring 15 by 8 feet, with high skylights ensuring that inmates remained isolated, unable to see or communicate with one another.
# Why Was It Called "Kala Pani"?
Cellular Jail was infamously known as “Kala Pani” (Black Water Prison) due to its remote location, surrounded by the sea on all sides. It served as a colonial exile for political prisoners during India’s freedom struggle. In 1942, the jail was taken over by Japanese forces during World War II, and British soldiers were held captive here.
# A National Memorial Today
Once one of Asia’s most infamous jails, Cellular Jail has now been declared a National Memorial. It attracts tourists from across the country, offering a glimpse into the harsh realities of India's struggle for independence. A museum within the jail showcases the hardships faced by freedom fighters, while a light and sound show (held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays) narrates the prison's harrowing past.
The museum also houses weapons used by the British—not just for battles but also for constructing the prison and its surrounding structures.
# The Brutality of British Rule
Cellular Jail was one of the most cruel prisons in history. The British subjected Indian political prisoners to inhumane torture, keeping them thousands of miles away from their homeland, surrounded by the vast ocean. Any attempt to escape was met with brutal retaliation—prisoners were shackled, starved, and sometimes even executed. The infamous "black water punishment" was designed to break their spirit and deter rebellion.
# Architectural Design
The prison consisted of 696 small cells and was a three-story structure with seven wings. The unique design resembled the spokes of a wheel, with each wing connected to a central watchtower, allowing British officers to monitor prisoners without being seen. The red bricks used for construction were imported from Burma.
# Life of the Prisoners
The jail’s layout ensured that no prisoner could see or communicate with another. Even inmates in adjacent cells remained unaware of each other’s presence. A notable example is the Savarkar brothers, Veer Vinayak Damodar Savarkar and Babarao Savarkar, who were confined in adjacent cells for two years without realizing it.
Prisoners were subjected to hard labor, including land-filling, forest clearing, road construction, and even building houses for British officials. Failure to complete assigned tasks resulted in brutal punishments such as flogging and starvation. Many were shackled and forced to extract oil, peel coconuts, and make ropes under grueling conditions.
# Freedom Fighters Imprisoned Here
Several renowned freedom fighters were held captive in Cellular Jail, including Batukeshwar Dutt, Yogeshwar Shukla, and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. The first 200 inmates were sent here under the supervision of Major James Pattison Walker and David Berry, with an additional 733 freedom fighters later brought from Karachi.
# Unique Design Inspired by the Panopticon
The prison’s structure was inspired by English philosopher Jeremy Bentham’s Panopticon model. The design resembled an octopus, with seven wings radiating from a central watchtower, allowing guards to observe prisoners without their knowledge. This psychological tactic reinforced the feeling of constant surveillance, breaking the morale of inmates.