The panel discussion on “Maritime Heritage – Shared Civilizations and Legacy” during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai brought the Andaman and Nicobar Islands into sharp focus as a living testament to India’s oceanic past. The session, featuring global maritime historians and archaeologists, offered a compelling look into how these islands have long stood at the crossroads of civilizations, trade routes, and cultures.
Moderated by Prof. Vasant Shinde, Chief of Galleries at the National Maritime Heritage Complex, the session began with a keynote address by Chief Secretary Chandra Bhushan Kumar of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. His presentation drew from ancient texts, historical accounts, and archaeological evidence to chart the archipelago’s deep-rooted maritime legacy.
He referenced the Rigveda’s 4th Mandala, describing the ocean as the “heart of all life,” to illustrate the centrality of the seas in early Indian civilization. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he noted, acted as a maritime bridge across the Indian Ocean, enabling the movement of goods, beliefs, and ideas between distant regions. The Chief Secretary also pointed to a reference from the Anthropological Journal of Ireland (1877) suggesting the islands might have been part of a mythical “bridge” attributed to Lord Rama, a symbolic link between India and Southeast Asia.
Kumar further recalled how the Chola expeditions in the 17th century described the Nicobar Islands as “Nakovaram,” underscoring their role in the spice trade that once connected Asia to Europe. Positioned along the ancient maritime trade routes, the islands were vital to the exchange of spices, textiles, and precious materials, helping India emerge as a maritime power.
Highlighting the continuity between ancient and living traditions, he spoke about the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of the islands, who continue to live in harmony with the natural marine environment, embodying centuries-old maritime wisdom.
The discussion also touched upon the colonial-era landmarks that remain significant to India’s freedom narrative. The Cellular Jail (Kalapani) and Chatham Saw Mill were cited as reminders of the islands’ historical role during the struggle for independence. Kumar emphasized the 1943 hoisting of the tricolour by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in the Andamans, marking the archipelago’s symbolic place in India’s national consciousness.
Turning to the present, Kumar outlined several initiatives linking heritage preservation with sustainable growth. Among them is the Andaman Administration’s collaboration with the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Museum at Lothal, which aims to highlight the islands’ contribution to global maritime history. The Spice Pravah initiative, which promotes eco-tourism while preserving the islands’ spice trade legacy, was cited as another significant step. Efforts are also underway to secure Geographical Indication (GI) tags for endemic island products, enhancing both cultural recognition and local economic resilience.
He concluded with a forward-looking vision for the islands as a hub of research, heritage tourism, and conservation. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, he said, represent a convergence of nature, culture, and history, calling for international cooperation in protecting this shared maritime legacy.
The discussion featured insights from global scholars, including representatives from Indonesia, Egypt, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Portugal, and Thailand, who shared their nations’ experiences of maritime exchange and heritage preservation.
As a highlight of India Maritime Week 2025, the panel reinforced the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ position not merely as a strategic outpost, but as a cultural and historical link that continues to connect civilizations across oceans.
