1997 - Cellular Jail Port Blair | Commemorative Coin

The 5th commemorative coin of 1997 was released on occasion to mark the 100 years of Cellular Jail at Port Blair.

The centenary of the Cellular Jail at Port Blair marked a poignant moment in India’s remembrance of its long struggle for independence. Completed in 1906, the Cellular Jail—often referred to as Kala Pani—stood as one of the most feared symbols of British colonial oppression. By the time it completed one hundred years, the structure had transformed from a place of immense suffering into a national monument of resilience, courage, and sacrifice. Its hundred-year story reflects the spirit of those who endured unimaginable hardships so that future generations could live in freedom.

Located in the remote Andaman Islands, the Cellular Jail was designed to isolate political prisoners from the rest of the country and to break their spirit through exhaustive solitary confinement. Its architecture was a chilling embodiment of this purpose: seven long wings radiated from a central watchtower, each consisting of three floors of individual cells, ensuring that prisoners remained separated and unable to communicate. Freedom fighters from across India—ranging from revolutionaries in Bengal and Punjab to activists from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu—were transported thousands of miles away from their families and communities to experience the harshest punishments the colonial administration could devise.

For many of these prisoners, the years spent in the Cellular Jail were marked by severe physical and mental torture. Hard labour, inadequate food, relentless surveillance, and inhumane punishments were routine. Yet, within these walls, extraordinary stories of courage emerged. Prisoners staged hunger strikes, wrote diaries, exchanged messages through ingenious methods, and continued to dream of India’s liberation even in the darkest of circumstances. The perseverance of these men transformed the Cellular Jail from a site of punishment into a symbol of resistance.

By the time the structure reached its hundredth year, it had long ceased to function as a prison. Portions of the jail had been demolished, but the preserved wings stood as a reminder of the indomitable spirit of India’s freedom fighters. The centenary observance honoured not only the memory of those who were incarcerated but also the ideals for which they sacrificed their youth, health, and in many cases, their lives. Public ceremonies, exhibitions, and commemorative programs highlighted the stories of individuals like Veer Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, Ullaskar Dutt, and countless unnamed revolutionaries who bore the brunt of colonial brutality within these walls.

The century of the Cellular Jail also encouraged renewed reflection on the importance of preserving historical sites associated with the freedom movement. The structure had already been declared a national memorial, but its hundred-year milestone provided an opportunity to strengthen efforts to maintain its legacy. Many visitors who walked through the narrow corridors, peered into the small cells, and listened to the accounts of former prisoners gained a deeper understanding of the price India paid for independence.

As India reflected on one hundred years of the Cellular Jail, the narrative was not solely about suffering; it was equally about resilience. The jail stands today as a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the unyielding determination of those who fought against injustice. Its centenary reinforced the responsibility of future generations to preserve these memories and to uphold the values for which countless individuals sacrificed their freedom.

The story of the Cellular Jail’s first century is thus a story of transformation—from a place built to extinguish hope to a monument that inspires it. Its legacy endures as a testament to the courage of India’s freedom fighters and as a solemn reminder of the struggles that paved the way for the nation’s sovereignty.

Release Function: