Decolonising the Indian Mind: The Renaming of Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram and Its Symbolic Significance
Based on the coverage in Indian newspapers from September 14, 2024 onwards, the following essay explores the renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram as a strategic move towards decolonisation of the mind and national identity reclamation in India. It also connects the renaming to the recent valorisation of Indian knowledge system and India’s Indo-Pacific ambitions.
On 13 September 2024, the Government of India announced the renaming of Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, to Sri Vijaya Puram. This change is more than a simple administrative decision; it is a significant symbolic act aimed at dismantling the remaining colonial legacies in India and reasserting the nation’s historical identity. The renaming is part of a broader effort to decolonise the Indian mind, which entails reclaiming cultural, linguistic, and intellectual sovereignty. This essay unravels the importance of this renaming within the larger framework of India’s decolonisation process, the revival of its knowledge systems, and its emergence as a maritime power.
The Impact of Colonialism on India’s Identity
Colonialism had a profound impact on India, affecting not only its economy and politics but also its culture and identity. When the British ruled India, they imposed their own culture, language, and worldview on the country, leaving behind deep psychological scars. The process of decolonisation, which began with India’s independence in 1947, has been an ongoing journey. It involves not only the removal of foreign control but also a broader reclamation of Indian identity.
Namvar Singh, in his essay “Decolonising the Indian Mind” in the journal Indian Literature (Sept.-Oct., 1992, pp. 145-156) explains that even after achieving political independence, the psychological and cultural effects of colonialism lingered. Singh argues that colonialism distorted India’s self-perception, fostering a sense of inferiority in comparison to the West. This psychological impact has persisted, shaping how Indians view their own culture and history.
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is a direct challenge to these lingering colonial imprints. The original name of the city, Port Blair, honoured Archibald Blair, a British officer of the East India Company. By renaming the city after the powerful Sri Vijaya Empire, which once dominated maritime Southeast Asia, the Indian government is taking a step toward reclaiming a pre-colonial identity. This renaming is a symbolic act of resistance against the colonial mindset and a reassertion of India’s historical significance.
The Psychological Significance of Renaming
Names carry meaning, and renaming cities that were once under colonial rule can have a powerful psychological effect. In the case of Port Blair, the name was a constant reminder of British control and India’s subjugation. By changing the city’s name to Sri Vijaya Puram, the government is sending a message that India’s past is not defined by colonialism, but by its own rich history.
The Sri Vijaya Empire, which existed from the 7th to the 12th centuries, was a dominant maritime power in Southeast Asia and had deep cultural and economic ties with India. By invoking this name, the government is reminding its citizens of India’s historical influence in the region and its pre-colonial strength. This move fosters a renewed sense of national pride and encourages people to view their history from an indigenous perspective, rather than through a colonial lens.
Moreover, renaming cities like Port Blair can help decolonise the minds of Indian citizens. It challenges the notion that Western names and symbols are superior, breaking the mental chains of colonialism. When people see their cities named after historical Indian empires rather than colonial figures, it reinforces their connection to their own culture and history, helping to restore confidence in India’s traditions and identity.
The Symbolism of Sri Vijaya Puram
The choice of the name Sri Vijaya Puram is deeply symbolic. The Sri Vijaya Empire was known for its maritime prowess and extensive cultural exchanges with India. By choosing this name, the government acknowledges India’s historical role as a maritime power and its influence in Southeast Asia. This is significant not only for reclaiming India’s past but also for its present and future ambitions in the Indian Ocean region.
The renaming of Port Blair reflects India’s desire to project power and influence in the Indian Ocean. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where Port Blair is located, are strategically important for India’s defence and maritime security. By invoking the name of a powerful maritime empire, India is signalling its intention to be a dominant force in the region, much like the Sri Vijaya Empire once was.
Decolonising the Indian Mind and Reclaiming Knowledge Systems
Decolonisation in India is not only about renaming places; it is also about reclaiming intellectual and cultural sovereignty. During British rule, Indian knowledge systems were often marginalised in favour of Western knowledge. This created a perception that Western knowledge was superior, further deepening the psychological impact of colonialism.
One of the most important aspects of decolonisation is the revival of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). IKS refers to the vast body of knowledge developed in India over thousands of years in fields such as philosophy, medicine, science, and mathematics. These systems were largely sidelined under British rule, but today, there is a growing movement to reintegrate them into modern education and research.
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is part of this broader effort to revive India’s indigenous knowledge and heritage. The Sri Vijaya Empire was a centre of learning and cultural exchange, and by invoking its name, the Indian government is emphasising the importance of reclaiming India’s intellectual legacy. This act of decolonisation is not just about the past; it is also about using India’s historical knowledge to address contemporary challenges.
The promotion of IKS is seen as a crucial part of India’s intellectual decolonisation. It challenges the dominance of Eurocentric perspectives in education and encourages a re-examination of India’s contributions to global civilisation. By integrating IKS into school curricula, funding research in traditional knowledge, and promoting Indian languages, the government is actively working to restore India’s intellectual sovereignty.
Intellectual Decolonisation and Cultural Revival
Namvar Singh highlights the ongoing struggle for intellectual decolonisation in India, pointing out that the cultural hegemony of the West continues to persist in the form of intellectual imperialism. Western narratives often dominate global discourse, leading to the marginalisation of non-Western knowledge systems, including those of India. For example, Indian writers in English often cater to Western expectations of what Indian literature should be, while those writing in regional languages are overlooked.
This intellectual decolonisation involves a critical engagement with both tradition and modernity. It is not simply about returning to the past but about constructing new forms of identity that are neither beholden to colonial narratives nor uncritically bound to tradition. By renaming Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram, India is taking a step in this direction—reasserting its cultural and intellectual heritage while positioning itself as a global player.
India’s Maritime Ambitions and the Strategic Importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
The renaming of Port Blair also reflects India’s contemporary maritime ambitions. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are located at a key strategic point in the Indian Ocean, near major sea lanes that are vital for international trade. The islands provide India with a vantage point for monitoring and controlling maritime activity in the region, particularly in the busy Malacca Strait.
In recent years, India has focused on strengthening its naval presence in the Indian Ocean, recognising the strategic importance of the region in light of growing global competition. The renaming of Port Blair as Sri Vijaya Puram serves as a reminder of India’s historical maritime dominance and signals the country’s intent to assert itself as a major player in the Indian Ocean region.
This renaming is not only a nod to India’s past but also a declaration of its future ambitions. Just as the Sri Vijaya Empire once controlled key maritime routes, India today is positioning itself to protect its maritime interests and project power across the region. The strategic location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands makes them a crucial part of India’s defense strategy, and the renaming underscores the importance of these islands in the country’s maritime doctrine.
Conclusion: The Path Toward True Decolonisation
The renaming of Port Blair to Sri Vijaya Puram is a significant step in India’s ongoing process of decolonisation. It is part of a broader effort to dismantle the psychological and cultural impacts of colonialism and to reclaim India’s intellectual and cultural heritage. By renaming the city after a powerful pre-colonial empire, the government is fostering a renewed sense of national pride and affirming India’s historical significance as a global power.
However, as Namvar Singh reminds us, decolonisation is not just about rejecting the West. It is about engaging critically with both Indian and Western knowledge systems to construct a new identity that is rooted in India’s traditions but also open to global contributions. The revival of Indian Knowledge Systems is an essential part of this process, challenging Eurocentric narratives and promoting a more balanced view of India’s contributions to global civilisation.
As India continues its journey toward decolonisation, acts like the renaming of Port Blair will play a crucial role in reshaping the country’s narrative. This renaming is not merely symbolic but reflects India’s broader ambitions to reclaim its identity, restore its intellectual heritage, and assert itself as a dominant force in both the intellectual and maritime realms. By breaking free from the shadows of colonialism, India is paving the way for a future that is both deeply connected to its past and fully engaged with the world.