Steeping onto Ross Island in Port Blair is like stepping into a living time capsule. Once a bustling epicenter of British colonial opulence, this hidden gem in Andaman Island has been completely reclaimed by nature. Roots wrap tightly around old brick walls, giant ficus trees pierce through roofless ballrooms, and friendly spotted deer wander through what used to be manicured lawns.

Whether you are a history buff or a nature lover looking for an offbeat destination in Andaman, a day trip to this island is an unmissable part of your itinerary. Here is your definitive, expert guide to experiencing the tragic history, natural beauty, and haunting architecture of Ross Island in Andaman Islands (officially renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island).

Let’s Take A Look At The History Of Ross Island

The history of Ross Island is both fascinating and heartbreaking. Discovered in the late 18th century by Captain Daniel Ross, the island rose to absolute prominence following the 1857 Indian Uprising. The British East India Company established it as the administrative headquarters for the penal settlement in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

While Indian convicts endured brutal conditions building the nearby Cellular Jail, the British administrative elite turned this tiny island into a lavish paradise. Dubbed the "Paris of the East," the Ross Island in Port Blair landscape soon boasted:

• The grand Chief Commissioner’s House and senior officials' bungalows

• A Presbyterian old church with stained-glass windows imported from Europe

• A bustling bazaar, a state-of-the-art printing press, and a secretariat

• High-society luxuries like a swimming pool, tennis court, and grand ballrooms

The War and Eventual Desertion

The peace shattered in 1942 when the Japanese forces launched an attack on the Andaman islands during World War II. The British evacuated, and for three years, the island served as a Japanese military stronghold.

Though control returned briefly to the British after the war, and later to the Indian Navy, the island was progressively deserted. Nature took over, transforming a symbol of colonial power into a somber, beautiful monument to the passage of time.

History and Significance

• The Origins: Discovered in the late 18th century by Captain Daniel Ross, the island was later established as the administrative headquarters for the British penal settlement following the 1857 Uprising.

• The "Paris of the East": While Indian freedom fighters suffered brutal conditions building the nearby Cellular Jail, British officials built a lavish colony complete with bungalows, a ballroom, a printing press, a bakery, and a swimming pool.

• Wartime Occupation: In 1942, Japanese forces captured the island during World War II, converting it into a strategic military stronghold for three years before the British briefly reclaimed it.

• Reclaimed by Nature: Officially renamed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island and managed by the Indian Navy, the island is now completely abandoned, with massive tree roots engulfing the old stone architecture.