The building was subsequently damaged and presently three
out of the seven prongs are intact. The Jail, now a place
of pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared
a National Memorial.
The penal settlement established in Andamans by the British
after the First War of Independence in 1857 was the beginning
of the agonising story of freedom fighters in the massive
and awful jails at Viper Island followed by the Cellular
Jail. The patriots who raised their voice against the British
Raj were sent to this Jail, where many perished. Netaji
Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the tri-colour flag to proclaim
Independence on 30th December 1943 at a place near this
Jail.
This three-storeyed prison, constructed by Britishers in
1906, is a pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters.
This colossal edifice has mutely witnessed the most treacherous
of inhumane atrocities borne by the convicts, who were mostly
freedom fighters. Now dedicated to the nation as a National
Memorial.
Son-Et-Lumiere
The saga of the heroic freedom fighters in Kala Pani is
brought alive in a moving sound and light show "Son-et-Lumiere",
shown daily inside the jail compound at 6.00 pm (Hindi)
and 7.15 pm (English). There is also a Museum, an Art gallery,
and a Photo gallery, which are open on all days except Monday
from 9.00 AM to 12 Noon and 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM.
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