The Cellular Jail, popularly known as Kala Pani, is a powerful reminder of India’s long and painful struggle for freedom. Located in Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, this colonial-era prison was constructed between 1896 and 1906 by the British to isolate political prisoners far away from mainland India. Built in a unique seven-wing, star-shaped design, the jail ensured solitary confinement, preventing communication between inmates.

Prisoners faced inhumane conditions, including forced labour, starvation diets, and brutal torture. Notable revolutionaries like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Sachindra Nath Sanyal were imprisoned here for their role in the independence movement. Despite extreme hardships, these freedom fighters resisted through revolutionary writings, memoirs, and hunger strikes, the most famous being a 45-day protest in 1937 that eventually led to the closure of the penal settlement.

Today, the jail is a National Memorial, declared in 1969, and only three wings remain intact. One of its most popular attractions is the Light and Sound Show, held every evening in Hindi and English. Through dramatic narration, synchronized lighting, and sound effects, the show brings alive the emotional stories of courage and sacrifice, leaving visitors with a deep respect for the heroes who endured unimaginable suffering for India’s independence.