Due to the occidental names given to the islands and other places of the archipelago, at least some of you should have pondered over the reason behind them. Well, the cause for such a nomenclature can be given in a single sentence, they nothing else than the British invasion. Just like these colonial powers had a great influence on the mainland, both commercially and later politically, they also had control of the isolated land thousands of kilometers across. Because of which the British had built various monuments in its capital and most of them were centered on the neighboring Ross Island. And within no time it was a full-fledged township. Even if you are visiting them now, you could visit historical sites that have got to narrate various stories of its gruesome past. Given below are the must-see attractions of Ross Island in Andaman that can be visited while you are vacationing in the magical islands.
Penal Colony
British had a special concern for this densely forested region, which was ironically located not much far away from the then capital city of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The island was their headquarters until an untimely earthquake way back in 1941. So they had established the most crucial penal colony in the island, where the revolutionaries from the mainland were imprisoned. The then colonial masters had opted for these particular islands for making their most opposing rebels aloof from their homeland in India. British deemed this thick forest covers perfect for establishing a prison out of their secluded settlement. It might be shocking for you to accept that the prison used to accommodate as large as 200 inmates at a time in jail. The relics of one of the cruellest prisoners can still be seen in the former British penal colony. Besides, you could get to catch a glimpse of various tunnels that were used in the previous century.
British Colony ruins
As cited earlier, there had been a full-fledged township existing in the erstwhile Ross Island. Until the havoc of earthquake had hit, the British invaded landmass had its bakeries, market, hospital, open-air theatre, workshop, secretariat, cemetery and even a water distillation plant! However, now if you stroll through these once-bustling streets, you will only find the ruins of these British colonies. Fortunately, one of the successfully functioned Farzand Ali Store is now altered into a museum. It showcases the old photographs of significant monuments and how life had been in the islands of Andaman. However, the most astonishing part would be the part, which says that there had been tram lines in Andaman built by the British.
Japanese Bunkers
You might stumble upon these unnatural structures on the shores of Ross Island and nearby places that have got some untold stories of foreign occupancy to disclose to the tourists. It goes like this. Other than the British, the Japanese too had attempted to establish their colony in the Andaman and Nicobar Island. For the very same motive, they had sent their military troops to the shores of Ross Island. And for some period during World War II, they had succeeded in their venture by throwing out British from the islands. In the meantime, they had built various bunkers, tunnels and cannon sheathe. Moreover, this particular landmass was used as a war settlement. Even now, while you are strolling around certain historic spots on the island, you get to see these rectangular shaped bunkers.
Light and Sound Show
They are yet another informative show conducted in the former capital of Andaman. If the most popular of such kind of show is organized at a former Jail in Port Blair, meanwhile, here at Ross Island, it is at a yesteryear bakery. The show would cover the elucidation of the history of the island and later be clarifying you with the point of how the island and the nearby landmasses had acquired the present topography and the social setup. Furthermore, their narration by noted lyricist, Gulzar had been made more interesting with well-equipped surround sounds that would make anyone feel patriotic. Moreover, the histories elucidated here would comprise of the heroic deeds done by the martyrs of freedom struggles. To witness the thrilling light and sound show, you have to stay at the island until late evening. So for your travel back to the place where you are staying in you may ask your operator to make certain corrections in your preferred tour packages.
Ferar Beach
Not many would have heard about this unexplored beached situated at the corner of Ross Island. Tourists would hop into this abandoned island, sightsee the old British ruins and return. But rarely they do visit the Ferar beach of Ross Island, that is less popular than its counterpart in Havelock and Neil Island. And if you are visiting the seashore lined up with numerous coconut palms and its soft laden cliffs, they would be offering you a unique experience. You could enjoy the rustic beauty of those stronger waves with lashing the golden sands by sitting on its side. Besides, you could gaze at the irregular plain stones spread across the Ferar beach that create beautiful ripples in the pristine waters when the waves hit them. Moreover, if you wish to engage in any adventures at this beachfront, you may hike up its supple trails.
Presbyterian Church
The protestant church established around 100 years ago in the island invaded by the British power can be said to be still reviving its past glory, even many of its parts were dilapidated by both manmade and natural disasters. The English religious centre was built largely of stone and some wood. Besides, Italian glasses were installed as the major panes just beneath the altar of the Presbyterian Church. Apart from the major building, you could also get to see the structure that was dwelled by the church’s parsonage. You may note that the timber woods used for molding the window frames are neither of Andaman Islands nor of Indian origins, but was brought from Myanmar. It had helped to sustain the basic foundation even after a century of mishaps, unlike the landmarking St.Andrew Church of Bangalore. The latter is yet another Presbyterian Church, which had weakened in the recent year’s deluge, even after occasional renovation works.
The monuments that you get to spot here not only do impress just the history buffs but for anyone just curious to know about what had happened in the past to these parts of the country. Above all that, you would be feeling that you are at the lap of nature when exploring those ethereal beaches and magical turquoise blue sea waters of the Andaman Islands. For the very same purpose, you will be required to visit those enchanting beach destinations all by yourself. Andaman Tour Travel arranges exciting trips to those places at incredible prices. So you may book your tour packages today by chatting with them online or ringing them up in the WhatsApp number given on their website.