Cellular Jail: A Testament to India's Freedom Struggle

The Cellular Jail, completed in 1906, is a grim yet essential historical site in Port Blair, serving as a national memorial to India's freedom movement. Constructed by the British, the puce-colored brick building was designed for solitary confinement, earning it the infamous name 'Kala Pani' (Black Water), signifying the isolation and suffering endured within its walls. The jail's architecture is based on Jeremy Bentham's panopticon design, originally comprising seven wings radiating from a central tower, allowing guards to monitor inmates at all times. Each wing consisted of three stories with 693 individual cells, measuring just 4.5 by 2.7 meters, each with a small ventilator. The cells were deliberately designed to prevent communication between prisoners. Today, only three of the original wings remain, as the jail suffered damage from earthquakes and demolitions. Notable Indian freedom fighters, including Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt and Yogendra Shukla, were imprisoned here, enduring harsh conditions, forced labor, and torture. The Cellular Jail is now a museum showcasing artifacts, photographs, and documents that chronicle the lives of the prisoners and the history of India's independence movement. Visitors can explore the prison corridors, gallows, and other exhibits that offer a glimpse into the past. A moving Light and Sound show recreates the freedom struggle through dramatic light effects and narration.