๐ Distance from Airport: ~3 KM
โฐ Jail Visiting Time: 09:00 AM โ 04:45 PM (Lunch Break: 12:00 PM โ 01:30 PM)
๐ซ Closed on: Mondays & Government Holidays
๐๏ธ Jail Entry Ticket: โน30 per person
๐ก Light & Sound Show:
๐ฌ Show Timings: 06:00 PM โ 06:45 PM
๐ญ Show Days: Operates Daily (2 Shows per Day)
๐ฃ๏ธ Languages: Hindi & English
๐๏ธ Ticket Cost: โน300 per person
โณ Duration: 45 Minutes
๐จโ๐ซ Guide: Available
โญ Major Attractions: Jail Sightseeing, Light & Sound Show, Museum
๐๏ธ Experience history unfold at the iconic Cellular Jail!
Welcome to the Cellular Jail, a National Memorial in Port Blair, standing as a silent witness to the sacrifices of India’s freedom fighters. Completed in 1906, this historical structure was designed for solitary confinement, with seven blocks radiating from a central tower, resembling a honeycomb.
๐ Why Visit?
๐น Experience the Jail Museum, showcasing artifacts and stories of India’s independence struggle.
๐น Walk through the prison corridors, where brave freedom fighters were once incarcerated.
๐น Attend the Light & Sound Show, which narrates the struggles faced by India’s revolutionaries.
๐ฐ Museum Timings:
โ
Open: Every day except National Holidays
๐ Morning: 9:00 AM โ 12:00 PM
๐ Afternoon: 1:30 PM โ 4:45 PM
๐ Plan your visit to honor the valiant freedom fighters and relive India’s history! ๐ฎ๐ณ
The Sound and Light Show at Cellular Jail is a must-watch attraction that recreates India’s freedom struggle through mesmerizing light effects and powerful narration. This immersive experience brings to life the hardships and sacrifices of the freedom fighters imprisoned within the jailโs walls.
๐
Show Timings:
โ
Every Day โ Two Shows
๐ 1st Show (Hindi): 6:00 PM โ 6:45 PM
๐ 2nd Show:
๐น Hindi โ Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday (7:45 PM)
๐น English โ Monday, Wednesday, Friday (7:15 PM)
๐ซ Closed on: National Holidays
๐ Ticket Price: โน300 per person
โณ Duration: 45 Minutes
โจ Don’t miss this moving tribute to India’s heroes! Witness history unfold at the Cellular Jail Sound & Light Show. ๐ฎ๐ณ
The British rulers established a Penal Settlement in the Andaman Islands in 1857, following the Indian Rebellion (First War of Independence). This was designed to exile and punish Indian revolutionaries who resisted British rule. A survey was conducted by Dr. F. J. Mouat, Dr. G. R. Playfair, and Lt. J. S. Heatcote on December 8, 1857, and the Union Jack was raised on January 22, 1858, officially marking the British possession of the islands.
The first batch of 200 freedom fighters was brought to Ross Island on March 10, 1858, under Dr. J. P. Walker. These prisoners, who came from wealthy and educated backgrounds, faced harsh conditions, including manual labor and jungle clearing. Initially, they were housed in open enclosures with a daily subsistence allowance of one anna and nine pies.
To enforce harsher discipline, the British selected Viper Island as the location for a jail and gallows. However, as the settlement expanded, the Cellular Jail was planned to isolate prisoners and crush their spirit.
๐น Built between: 1896 โ 1906
๐น Architectural Design: Three-story, seven-winged structure, radiating like the spokes of a bicycle wheel
๐น Number of Cells: 663 cells for solitary confinement
๐น Cell Size: 13.5 ft ร 7 ft, with an iron grill door
๐น Ventilation: Small 3 ft ร 1 ft window positioned 9 ft from the floor
The Central Tower stood at the hub of the seven wings, ensuring no prisoner could communicate with another. The prison was constructed using:
โ
20,000 cubic feet of local stone
โ
30,00,000 bricks, made at Dundas Point and Navy Bay
โ
600 convicts working under forced labor
The jail was manned by a ruthless administration, including Jailor David Barrie, an Irishman infamous for his cruelty and harsh punishments.
The Cellular Jail housed several freedom fighters who were involved in major revolutionary activities, including:
๐ Savarkar Brothers โ Vinayak Damodar Savarkar & Ganesh Damodar Savarkar
๐ Motilal Verma โ Gaya Conspiracy Case
๐ Babu Ram Hari โ Lahore Conspiracy Case
๐ Ullaskar Dutt โ Alipore Bomb Case
๐ Barin Kumar Ghosh โ Jugantar Group
๐ Prithvi Singh Azad โ Kakori Conspiracy Case
๐ Pulin Das, Trailokyanath Chakravarthy, Gurumukh Singh, and many more
These revolutionaries suffered inhumane torture, forced labor, and brutal punishments, which turned the Cellular Jail into a symbol of resistance and sacrifice in Indiaโs struggle for independence.
๐ Declared a National Memorial, the Cellular Jail Museum today stands as a symbol of Indiaโs freedom struggle, preserving the stories of sacrifice and patriotism. Visitors can explore its museum, gallows, and the iconic Sound & Light Show, which narrates the hardships faced by the freedom fighters.
๐ Visit the Cellular Jail to pay homage to Indiaโs unsung heroes!
The Cellular Jail was notorious for its extreme brutality. Prisoners, especially political revolutionaries, faced inhumane treatment, forced labor, and cruel punishments.
๐ป Torture & Flogging โ Those who failed to meet daily work quotas were flogged mercilessly.
๐ป Iron Triangular Frame โ Prisoners were tied in excruciating postures for long hours.
๐ป Gunny Bag Uniforms โ Worn without undergarments, causing severe skin abrasions.
๐ป Unhygienic Diet โ Prisoners were given a bare minimum, often rotting food.
๐ป Shackles & Chains โ Bar fetters, crossbar fetters, neck rings, and leg irons were common.
๐ป Solitary Confinement โ Prisoners spent days in complete darkness and silence.
Many prisoners succumbed to exhaustion, disease, and maltreatment. The warden David Barrie, infamous for his ruthlessness, subjected inmates to relentless cruelty.
Faced with barbaric oppression, the inmates of Cellular Jail revolted:
โ
Mass Hunger Strikes โ The longest strike lasted 45 days (1937-38).
โ
Intervention of Leaders โ Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore advocated for the prisoners.
โ
Closure of the Penal Settlement โ By January 1938, political prisoners were repatriated to mainland jails.
During World War II, the Japanese occupied the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This period saw:
๐ป Mass Executions โ Educated locals were arrested as suspected British spies and shot dead.
๐ป Cellular Jail Used for Torture โ Many were imprisoned and brutally executed.
๐ป The Humfraygunj Massacre โ 44 innocent civilians were executed and buried in a mass grave.
โ
Visited Andaman in December 1943 as the Head of the Provisional Government of India.
โ
Stopped arbitrary executions without proper trials.
โ
Hoisted the Indian Tricolor Flag in Andaman for the first time.
โ
Renamed the islands:
๐ Today, the Cellular Jail and Humfraygunj Martyrs Memorial stand as somber reminders of the sacrifice and courage of those who suffered for Indiaโs freedom.
๐ Location: City center of Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
๐บ Transport Options:
โ Taxi / Auto-Rickshaw โ Available from hotels, airport & harbor
โ Public Bus โ Budget-friendly option
โ Two-Wheeler Rental โ Explore at your own pace
๐ Distance:
โ๏ธ From Airport: ~3 KM
โ From Harbor: ~6 KM
๐ก Tip: Check with your hotel’s concierge for the best route and transport options based on your location.
The Cellular Jail is also called Kalapani Jail because the term ‘Kalapani’ literally means ‘black waters’ in Hindi, referring to the dark waters that surrounded the Andaman Islands where the jail is located. The jail earned this nickname because prisoners were sent there as part of their punishment and were cut off from their families and the mainland, making it nearly impossible for them to return. Additionally, the brutal conditions and treatment inside the jail were so severe that many prisoners died there, and it became known as a place of no return or a place where people went to die.
The best time to visit Cellular Jail is between October and April when the weather is pleasant and dry, and the sea is calm, making it easier to take a ferry to the islands. The jail is open from 9 am to 4:45 pm, and it usually takes 1-2 hours to explore the premises.
The light and sound shows duration is 45 minutes.
Tickets of light and sound show cost Rs 300/- for adults and Rs 150/- for children.
Yes,light and sound show is available in English and Hindi.
The light and sound show starts in the evening every day.
Sadly no, cellular jail remains closed on public holidays.
Personal photography and videography are permitted inside the Cellular Jail. However, if you wish to conduct a professional photo shoot or commercial videography, prior permission must be obtained from the authorities.
The time required to visit the Cellular Jail can vary depending on the individual’s pace and interest. However, on average, it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to explore the jail and its exhibits thoroughly. It is recommended to allocate at least half a day to explore the entire complex, including the sound and light show that takes place in the evening. The sound and light show is an hour-long show that depicts the history of the jail and is a must-see for visitors.
The best way to see Cellular Jail is by taking a guided tour. Visitors can join a group tour or hire a personal guide who can provide detailed information about the history of the jail and its significance in India’s struggle for independence. Additionally, visitors can also explore the jail on their own by reading the information boards placed at various points inside the jail. It is recommended to spend at least a couple of hours at the jail to fully absorb the history and significance of the site.
Yes, children are charged half the price of the ticket
It is recommended to book tickets for the Cellular Jail in advance, especially during peak tourist season. This can be done either online or by visiting the ticket counter at the jail. It is advisable to check the availability of tickets and the visiting hours beforehand, to avoid any inconvenience.
Yes, it is possible to book Cellular Jail tickets online through the official website of the Andaman and Nicobar Tourism department. The website provides an online booking system for entry tickets to the Cellular Jail. Visitors can select their preferred date and time slot and book the tickets online. It is recommended to book the tickets in advance to avoid any last-minute rush or disappointment.