β Once the heart of British power, now a silent island of ruins, roots and memoriesβRoss Island reminds us that even empires eventually become stories written into the walls. ποΈποΈπΏ β
ποΈ Ross Island β Where History Disappeared Into the Forest
Some places are beautiful because of what they are.
Others become unforgettable because of what they once were.
Ross Island belongs to the second kind.
Today known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, this small island near Port Blair carries the remains of a remarkable past. Once the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andaman, it was a place of power, luxury, military administration and colonial life.
There were grand bungalows, churches, clubs, bakeries, a printing press and a power house.
Today, much of that world has disappeared.
What remains are fragments.
Broken walls.
Old structures.
Japanese bunkers.
Tree roots growing through forgotten buildings.
And a silence that seems to carry the voices of another era.
Our Andaman Tour β Day 5, Episode 2 takes us into this extraordinary landscape where history, mystery and nature come together.
This is Ross Island.
And this is the story of a forgotten capital.
ποΈ When Ross Island Was the British Capital of Andaman
Before Port Blair developed into the major centre it is today, Ross Island served as the administrative headquarters of the British in the Andaman.
For the British administration, the island became a small but important centre of colonial life.
Imagine walking through an island where British officers once lived, worked and socialized.
There were:
π Luxurious bungalows
βͺ Churches
π Officers’ clubs
π₯ Bakeries
π° Printing presses
β‘ Power houses
πͺ Soldier barracks
The island had many of the facilities associated with a functioning colonial settlement.
But time changed everything.
The buildings that once represented authority and luxury gradually became ruins.
And nature slowly began reclaiming them.
πΏ When Nature Reclaimed a Forgotten Capital
Perhaps the most striking sight on Ross Island is the relationship between the ruins and the surrounding vegetation.
Tree roots embrace old walls.
Moss covers forgotten surfaces.
Branches grow around abandoned structures.
Greenery enters spaces once occupied by people.
The result is almost surreal.
It feels as though the forest is slowly taking back the island.
Every ruined building becomes a visual reminder that nothing remains unchanged forever.
The British built.
People lived.
History happened.
Then the island became silent.
And nature continued.
π° The Old Printing Press
One of the fascinating remnants on Ross Island is the old Printing Press.
During the British period, it played a role in producing official documents.
Today, standing among the surrounding vegetation, the structure offers a glimpse into the administrative machinery that once operated from this tiny island.
It is easy to imagine the activity that must once have surrounded this place.
Paper.
Documents.
Officials.
Orders.
Administration.
Today, only the ruins remain.
β‘ The Power House
Another important structure was the island’s Power House.
Electricity was an important part of the relatively sophisticated lifestyle maintained for British officers on Ross Island.
The existence of a power house reflects the level of infrastructure that had developed on the island during its colonial period.
Now surrounded by silence and greenery, it stands as another piece of the island’s forgotten story.
π₯ The Old Bakery
Among the remnants of colonial life is the old Bakery.
It once served the British officers living on the island.
Small details like this make Ross Island particularly fascinating.
The island wasn’t simply a military or administrative outpost.
It had developed a social ecosystem where people worked, lived, ate and spent their leisure time.
The bakery is one small reminder of that everyday life.
π The Junior Officer Club
The Junior Officer Club reveals another side of British life on the island.
The club reportedly included a ballroom, dance floor and bar.
Behind the ruins, it is possible to imagine evenings filled with music and social gatherings.
The contrast is striking.
A place that once represented colonial luxury is now surrounded by trees, silence and weathered ruins.
The passage of time could hardly be more visible.
βͺ Churches Hidden Among the Ruins
Religion also formed part of life on Ross Island.
One of the historical structures associated with the island is the Presbyterian Church, built in 1840.
Another significant religious structure was the Roman Catholic Church, which was later converted into a power station.
These structures reveal another dimension of the settlement that once existed here.
Today, their remnants form part of the island’s open-air historical landscape.
πͺ The Soldier Barracks
Ross Island also served an important military purpose.
The island’s Soldier Barracks once housed around 165 British soldiers.
These structures remind visitors that behind the social clubs, churches and luxurious bungalows was an administrative and military establishment.
The island was a centre of British power in the Andaman.
Today, its military history can be felt through the surviving structures and surrounding landscape.
π―π΅ The Japanese Chapter of Ross Island
The island’s history took another dramatic turn during World War II.
The Japanese occupied Ross Island for approximately three and a half years.
The occupation left another layer of history across the island.
Heavy bombing caused significant destruction, including damage to important buildings such as the Commissioner’s Bungalow.
Japanese bunkers can still be seen scattered across the island.
These structures stand as reminders of a difficult chapter in the island’s history.
The ruins therefore tell more than one story.
They speak of British colonial administration.
They speak of wartime occupation.
And they speak of the passage of time.
π Ross Island and the 2004 Tsunami
One of the remarkable historical points highlighted in this episode is Ross Island’s role during the 2004 Tsunami.
According to the source for this episode, the island acted as a natural shield and absorbed a significant portion of the wave impact, helping reduce destruction in Port Blair.
This adds another remarkable dimension to Ross Island’s story.
It was once a centre of colonial power.
It later became a wartime landscape.
And during the tsunami, it stood as a natural barrier between the sea and Port Blair.
A silent island with an extraordinary history.
ποΈ Eye Point β Views Across the Andaman Sea
Ross Island isn’t only about ruins.
At Eye Point, situated around 200 feet above sea level, visitors can experience panoramic views across the Andaman Sea and towards Port Blair.
Standing above the island, the perspective changes.
The ruins become part of a much larger landscape.
Blue water stretches into the distance.
Green vegetation surrounds the historic structures.
And the island’s location becomes easier to understand.
It is a place where history and nature exist side by side.
π¦ Deer Walking Through History
One of the charming sights on Ross Island is its free-roaming deer.
Seeing deer moving peacefully through the historic surroundings creates a unique atmosphere.
Imagine ancient ruins on one side and a deer quietly walking through the greenery on the other.
It is one of those moments that photographs cannot completely capture.
You simply have to experience it.
ποΈ Ross Island as an Open-Air Museum
Ross Island can almost be experienced as an open-air museum.
There are no conventional museum walls separating visitors from history.
Instead, history exists around you.
ποΈ Ruined buildings
πΏ Tree-covered structures
πͺ Japanese bunkers
βͺ Historic churches
π° Old administrative remains
π₯ Colonial-era bakery
β‘ Power house
π Officers’ club
Every path reveals another fragment.
The island encourages visitors to slow down and look carefully.
Sometimes the smallest detail tells the biggest story.
π€ How to Reach Ross Island
Ross Island is accessible by boat from Port Blair.
π Starting Point
Boats depart from Aberdeen Jetty in Port Blair.
π€ Boat Journey
The journey takes approximately 15 minutes.
Tickets are available from the counter near the jetty.
ποΈ Approximate Boat Ticket Cost
βΉ300ββΉ500 per person
The exact fare may vary, and round-trip arrangements can differ.
π« Entry Fee
According to the source, the entry fee is usually included with the ferry ticket.
π Ross Island Light & Sound Show
For visitors interested in experiencing the island’s history after sunset, a Light & Sound Show is available in the evening.
The presentation uses lights, sound effects and narration to bring the history of Ross Island to life.
ποΈ Approximate Cost
Around βΉ300 per person, according to the source.
The evening atmosphere can offer a completely different experience from a daytime visit.
π Best Time to Visit Ross Island
π Morning Visit
8:30 AM β 11:30 AM
Morning is particularly suitable for:
πΈ Photography
πΆ Walking through the ruins
πΏ Exploring the natural surroundings
ποΈ Observing historical structures
π Evening Visit
The evening can be considered if you plan to attend the Light & Sound Show.
π€οΈ Best Season to Visit
βοΈ October to May
This period is highlighted as the ideal season because of:
π€οΈ More pleasant weather
π Relatively calmer sea conditions
πΈ Better opportunities for outdoor exploration
π§οΈ June to September
The monsoon period can bring rougher sea conditions, so visitors should consider weather and boat operations before planning a trip.
π Getting Around Ross Island
Battery-operated vehicles are available on the island.
These can be particularly useful for:
π΄ Elderly travelers
π¨βπ©βπ§ Families
πΆ Visitors who prefer less walking
A small additional fee may apply.
For those who enjoy exploring slowly, however, walking allows you to notice many of the island’s smaller historical details.
β οΈ Safety Tips for Exploring Ross Island
The ruins are historic and some paths can be uneven.
Keep these points in mind:
π₯Ύ Wear comfortable walking shoes
πΆ Walk carefully on uneven paths
π₯₯ Be aware of falling coconuts beneath tall palm trees
ποΈ Do not climb fragile ruins
πΈ Avoid damaging structures while taking photographs
π§οΈ Be cautious during wet weather
A little care helps preserve the experience for everyone.
π± Responsible Tourism
Ross Island is a heritage destination.
Its ruins have survived decades of weather, war, abandonment and natural reclamation.
Visitors have a responsibility to protect them.
π« Do not write on historical walls
π« Do not damage or remove anything
π« Do not climb fragile structures
π― Do not litter
πΏ Respect the natural environment
πΈ Photograph responsibly
The simplest rule is:
Leave only footprints. Take only memories.
πΈ Photography on Ross Island
Ross Island offers an unusual combination of subjects for photographers.
You can capture:
ποΈ Colonial ruins
πΏ Tree roots embracing old structures
πͺ Japanese bunkers
βͺ Church remnants
π Andaman Sea views
π¦ Free-roaming deer
π΄ Tropical vegetation
βοΈ Light falling across abandoned buildings
The contrast between architecture and nature makes almost every corner visually interesting.
For TravelWithSurajit, this is exactly the kind of place where the camera can tell the story without words.
π§ The Silence of Ross Island
Perhaps the most powerful experience on Ross Island is its silence.
Once this island was filled with administration, military activity, social gatherings and everyday life.
Today, footsteps replace conversations.
Birds replace music.
Wind moves through trees that have grown around abandoned buildings.
And the ruins remain.
This silence creates an unusual emotional connection with the past.
You don’t need someone to explain every wall.
Sometimes you simply stand there.
Look.
Listen.
And feel.
π°οΈ When an Empire Becomes a Memory
Ross Island tells a larger story about time.
A place that once represented British authority eventually became an abandoned landscape.
Buildings that once seemed permanent became ruins.
Ruins became part of the forest.
And the forest became part of the history.
Standing here, it becomes easier to understand that history isn’t always preserved inside books or museums.
Sometimes history is right in front of you.
Covered in moss.
Wrapped in roots.
Weathered by rain.
And quietly waiting to be noticed.
π A Silent Protector
From colonial headquarters to wartime occupation, and later to a natural barrier during the 2004 tsunami, Ross Island has witnessed extraordinary moments.
It has seen power.
Conflict.
Destruction.
Abandonment.
And nature’s return.
Perhaps that is what makes this small island so fascinating.
It never needed to speak.
Its ruins already tell the story.
π Final Thoughts
Ross Island is one of those rare destinations where history and nature seem to share the same space.
The forgotten British buildings, old churches, printing press, power house, bakery, officers’ club and soldier barracks reveal the life that once existed here.
The Japanese bunkers and damaged structures reveal another chapter.
The surrounding forest tells a different storyβthe story of nature slowly reclaiming what humans once built.
And the sea continues to surround everything.
For TravelWithSurajit, Ross Island becomes more than a historical sightseeing stop.
It becomes an experience of walking through time.
A place where every broken wall has a memory.
Every tree root has a story.
And every silent pathway invites you to imagine the world that existed before.
ποΈ Ross Island may have been forgotten by the world, but its stories are still alive.
π Continue Your Andaman Journey
π Continue with our Day 5 adventure at the Rajiv Gandhi Water Sports Complex, where history gives way to ocean adventures and water activities.
π Explore the Andaman Day 5 Digital Photo Album and experience the journey through photographs.
And stay connected with TravelWithSurajit as the Andaman journey continues through islands, beaches, history, forests and unforgettable moments.
π₯ Just see. Feel. Connect.
π Travel. Feel. Connect.
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