Ross Island

Ross Island, Port Blair is in the Andaman Islands of India. This island was the capital of the most of Andaman Islands from 1858 until an earthquake in 1941. Ross Island was also the base for the British Administrator of the penal colony in Port Blair. In 1941, the Japanese converted the site into a prisoner-of-war camp, and built war installations, remnants of which can still be seen. It now lies deserted, and the few signs of its colonial glory, such as the Chief Commissioner's house and the Presbyterian church, are dilapidated and overgrown. The area is now under the control of Indian Navy.

On one hand, these mesmerizing ruins draw an image of a happy town with the giggles of children at the swimming pool, the constant buzz of machinery at the printing press, the dance and music from the club’s live band and songs of praise and worship at the church. On the other hand, there lies a perpetual reminder of the terrorizing past of the island, one made on the backs of martyrs (the construction of infrastructure on the island was taken care of by freedom fighters). After many of them were moved to Viper Island, the remaining freedom fighters were given the responsibility of maintaining Ross.
Today, Ross Island is maintained by the Navy. Along with the ruins, you can see a small yet well-maintained museum, plenty of peacocks, deer, and other birds and the newly developed sound and light show. Inaugurated on 8th December 2014, the show brings to life the past of the islands in the words of Gulzar. You can catch the screening every evening (except Wednesday) in Hindi. The island can be reached via ferries that ply from the water sports complex in Port Blair.

History of Ross Island
Ross Island used to be the headquarters of the group of islands, until a set of events moved the headquarters to Port Blair, a location that is 2 km to the west. On the 10th of March 1858, Dr. James Pattison Walker arrived in Port Blair with a steam frigate, taking Ross Island under British occupation. Since that moment, the island became the center of British power.
The British stayed here more than 80 years, time in which they have built on the island everything they needed for a lifestyle that was similar with what they had back home. They had a bakery, church, stores, water treatment plant, tennis court, hospital, cemetery, and many more. Unfortunately, very few of them still stand today, being the few witnesses that can tell the story of the island. Back in November 1857, the Indian Government decided to make a prison on the island, where they would send their most dangerous criminals, especially the ones that had the courage to take on the British. The purpose was to isolate these individuals from the rest of the prisoners and to give an example that harsh punishments will be applied if anyone tried to challenge the British authority.