History of (Cellular Jail) kala pani
                     HISTORY OF 
(CELLULAR JAIL) 
KALA PANI
The string of islands of the Andaman and Nicobar group have 
since they were first recognized, a particularly terrible association 
in the Indian subconscious. Traditionally they have always been 
known as Kala Pani, the deadly backwaters to be banished to 
which meant certain death. The reason for this was the fact that 
since the late eighteenth century, islands off Sumatra and those of 
the Andaman group were, according to the current European 
theory, used as penal settlements for particularly dangerous 
political prisoners and other convicts who were subjected to 
rigorous and lifelong sentences. The British used several of the 
Andaman islands as penal settlements but it was not till 1873 that 
the main Cellular Jail was established at Port Blair. A terrible myth 
thus grew around the jail, sealing off the Andamans as dreaded 
territory.
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1. There are many reasons for Indians not crossing the sea.
• The ocean around the subcontinent is massive. Beyond Sri-
Lanka and Maldives, there was nothing close. Traveling to 
Africa and South East Asia took a lot of effort. Unlike the 
Mediterranean where there were a lot of civilizations closely 
around a peaceful sea, Indian ocean is monstrous. In the 
effort it took to get to the other side of the Bay of Bengal or 
Arabian sea, you could cross 10 different cultures in Europe.
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• Vedic Belief: In the Vedic period the caste system was 
followed strictly and one has to follow his Kula Dharma at 
all costs. As a person couldn't perform his daily rituals 
while crossing the sea it was considered that he has 
failed his Dharma an was considered as a Nishadha (a 
casteless person). A Nishadha was considered even low 
than that of a Shudra. So ancient Indians didn't cross the 
seas fearing the loss of one's caste.
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• Belief of end of reincarnation:  The fear of crossing the seas 
also derives from the notion that it entailed the end of the 
reincarnation cycle, as the traveler was cut off from the 
regenerating waters of the Ganges. 
• Lack of adequate means of Transport: During the early 
times there was inadequate means to cross the seas. The 
Indian Ocean was massive and we didn't have the 
necessary boats to cross the mighty ocean.
• Lack of need: India is a land blessed with resources. In the ancient 
and medieval ages, it was known for its spices, textiles and 
handicrafts, its vibrant economy and markets, and exotic culture. 
The Europeans and the people of the middle east traveled the seas in 
search of other countries because they didn't have the necessary 
resources in their country. Indians didn't have the incentives for 
travelling.
• Distance from the sea: The people of Northern India had to travel a 
long distance to reach the sea. The people from north India had to 
cross many mountains, forests and rivers to reach the sea. So they 
avoided sea travel.
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