EXPLORE  Ross Island (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island)

Located in India's Andaman archipelago, Ross Island is an interesting historical site. Surrounded by lush flora and remnants of its legendary past, this once-bustling administrative hub from the British colonial era today stands as a silent testament to a bygone era. This Island used to serve as an administrative capital of Andaman and Nicobar Island between 1858-1941.

While today the island is called the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, it was initially called for the marine surveyor Sir Daniel Ross, Ross Island functioned as the British administration's administrative center in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from the late 1800s until the Japanese occupation in World War II. The island was at its height during this time, with a printing press, a tennis court, a chapel, a bazaar, and even a secretariat.

In addition, the island had a prison community that housed many prisoners who were forced to work long hours while living under British control. The ruins of the notorious Cellular Jail still stand as a vivid reminder of the misery that many prisoners had to go through during this terrible period in history.

These days, Ross Island is a well-liked vacation spot because of its eerie ruins and verdant surroundings. Travelers can take in the island's tranquil natural beauty, marvel at the decaying buildings that still exist as reminders of a bygone period, and explore the overgrown paths that were once teeming with activity.

The British Commissioner's residence, a tastefully restored colonial structure with breathtaking views of the surroundings, is one of Ross Island's most noteworthy attractions. Peacocks prance among the ruins, while deer graze in the unkempt fields, showcasing the island's rich array of flora and animals.

As they stroll among the ruins of Ross Island's colonial past, visitors can travel back in time and imagine what life must have been like for the British officials and convicts who once called this island home. In the serene setting of the Andaman Sea, it is a location where history comes to life, providing a window into a civilization long since forgotten.