It all began on March 24, 2009, when I read an article, ‘A bit of Peshawar in Port Blair’, written by PC Sharma in The Tribune, which was about Ainullah Khan, a convict transported to Port Blair from Peshawar. During his incarceration, he earned the reputation of a most conscientious driver. Upon his release from the notorious jail, he chose to settle in the islands. He married twice and was blessed with a good number of children.One of his daughters, Dr Rashida Iqbal, is a well-known figure in the Andaman Islands as a poet, writer, historian, orator and anchor. A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to read one of her earlier books entitled ‘Unsung Heroes of Freedom Struggle in Andaman, Who’s Who’, containing a brief introduction of the freedom fighters and martyrs who suffered brutal excesses and untold torture in the dreaded Cellular Jail. Last year, her book ‘The Story of Cellular Jail, Prison to Pilgrimage’ was released.This volume will appeal to anyone eager to gain insight into the lush, emerald beauty of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as well as their grim history as penal settlements. It traces how and when these islands began to be used for exile, the fate of those condemned to be transported here, the construction of the Cellular Jail, and the barbaric treatment inflicted upon revolutionaries by both the British and the Japanese authorities.The author presents a concise yet deeply moving and poignant account of events, beginning with the deportation of freedom fighters after the Revolt of 1857 and culminating in the repatriation of the final batch of prisoners on January 18, 1938. As one progresses through the narrative, it becomes easy to feel immersed in the experiences of that era. The lives of these patriots — marked by unspeakable physical and psychological torment — take the reader on an emotional journey that rekindles a sense of nationalism and patriotism.The book has been divided into eight chapters.The first chapter, ‘Andaman and Nicobar Islands — An Overview’, provides a concise but clear and informative introduction to the geographical location, landscape, terrain, history, and the pristine and indigenous tribes of these islands. The author particularly draws references from Ptolemy, Abu Zaid Hasan, Marco Polo, and a few others to enrich the historical context. Discussing the origin of the word Andaman, she cites MV Portman, who notes that the islands were mentioned as Handuman in the ‘Ramayana’.The second chapter explores the circumstances that led to the establishment of a penal settlement here, including a brief account of the survey done by Captain Archibald Blair and Colonel Colebrook in 1788.The reader is offered an insight into events connected with the establishment of a settlement at Chatham Island in 1790 and its subsequent relocation to North East Harbour in 1792, the naming of Port Cornwallis as Port Blair, the abolition of the first settlement in 1796, and the exigencies leading to the colonisation of the Nicobar Islands.Elaborating upon the causes and conditions of the penal settlement, the author places particular emphasis on the Great Mutiny of 1857, the genesis of the term Kala Pani, and the miserable existence of convicts under the most adverse and inhospitable conditions, which ultimately caused the deaths of many inmates. A year-wise chart illustrating death percentages further strengthens this section.The third chapter discusses the lives of the freedom fighters of 1857 who were deported to the Andamans and those of subsequent revolutionary movements. It includes accounts of Musai Singh and Allama Fazle Haq Khairabadi, among the earliest individuals sentenced to life imprisonment in the Islands. The chapter also contains a comprehensive account of the rebellion in South India in 1857, the Andaman-Assam connection at the time, the Wahabi and Kuka movements, among others.Among the notable figures discussed are Sher Ali, the assassin of Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India, and Maharaja Dibyasingha Deva III of Puri, both having an indirect association with organised movements. Unsung heroes of Mizoram and the Maharaja of Manipur have also been accorded special mention and due recognition.Chapter four, while focusing on the Lyall-Lethbridge Commission, delves into the history of the Cellular Jail, its construction, architectural design, costs incurred, structural layout, and the number of cells across its seven wings, besides providing a summary of the year-wise count of convicts incarcerated.The fifth chapter offers a compelling and absorbing overview of individuals convicted between 1908-38 for their involvement in different revolutionary movements such as the Alipore Bomb Case, the Nasik Conspiracy Case, the Nangla Khulna Conspiracy Case, and the Dalhousie Square Bomb Case, to name a few. A section of the chapter is dedicated to the heroes of the Ghadar Movement and the Moplah Rebellion. Names of some prominent revolutionaries involved in various movements have also been mentioned, including Ullaskar Dutt, Babu Ram Hari, editor of the ‘Swaraj’ newspaper, Ghulam Sarwar of the NW Frontier, VD Savarkar, Suresh Chandra Sen Gupta of Dacca, and many more.Chapter Six, ‘Cellular Jail Story — Incarceration to Repatriation’, arguably the most significant one, poignantly summarises the ordeals borne by the revolutionaries during the arduous and harrowing voyage to the Andaman Islands; the inhuman and barbaric treatment they were subjected to by the callous jailer David Barry; the extremely inhospitable, horrible and unhealthy conditions they were made to live in; and the exacting and exhausting labour they were engaged in, such as coir pounding and oil grinding.The author also recounts tragic incidents, including the suicide of Indu Bhushan Roy, the brutal torture of Ullaskar Dutt, and the hunger strikes and martyrdom of Mahavir, Mohit, Mankrishna, Bhai Bhan Singh, and Pandit Ram Rakha.The second last chapter of the book, equally significant, portrays the reign of terror and fear unleashed by the Japanese during their short stint in the Islands beginning March 23, 1942, till October 7, 1945. The islanders suffered severe atrocities, including executions on false charges of espionage. The tragic fate of Zulfiqar Ali alias Sunny, the first victim of Japanese brutality, has been briefly described. Many innocent persons were shot by firing squads over allegations of spying for the British. Dr Diwan Singh, a prominent figure associated with the Indian Independence League and Peace Committee, also attained martyrdom on January 14, 1944, after enduring relentless and merciless torture.The concluding chapter examines the present condition of the Cellular Jail and its surviving history through the vagaries of nature and the ravages of time. Today, only three of the original seven wings remain; these constitute 283 cells. The site was dedicated as a National Memorial by the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai on February 11, 1977.This work stands as a powerful saga and chronicle of freedom fighters, revolutionaries and countless unnamed victims who displayed extraordinary courage and endured immense and untold suffering so that future generations might witness the dawn of Independence. The title of the book is both befitting and evocative, serving as a tribute to their sacrifices. The printing is clean and largely error-free, the cover design simple yet elegant, and the language accessible and engaging.A highly recommended read for anyone seeking a meaningful understanding of the history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.