Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island has a significant history also known as Ross Island because it is named after Daniel Ross, a marine surveyor. The Indian Mutiny of 1857 worked in favor of the penal settlement of the Andaman Islands as many prisoners from India were found there. Captain James Pattinson brought 773 convicts in 1858 including 4 Singaporean officers.
During 1945 and 1946, the island was the administrative headquarters of the British and was known as Ross Island at that time. Very interestingly, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose stayed here during his visit to Port Blair on 29-31 December 1943, and soon the island was a British base for administrative work. Initially, crude Barracks of bamboo and grass were constructed for the prisoners.
The island was also occupied by the Japanese from 1942 to 1945 and became the residence of the Japanese admirals for 3 years. During this time Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose also hoisted the Indian flag at the residence of the Admirals.
1941, and 1942 earthquakes that occurred 9 months before the Japanese occupation did not cause any damage to the island, and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose stayed here till 1947. Not a single brick of the Cellular Jail was damaged by the earthquake, but in 1960, the Dara Jail was demolished by the Andaman administration. The inmates protested and filed a writ in court. None of the imprisoned freedom fighters settled here. Thus, the island gained prominence and was named after Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
