Andaman and Nicobar Islands : Past and Present

Contents: Preface. 1. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: current scenario. 2. Formation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 3. History of Nicobars (1701-1947). 4. Dynamics of socialization of the Andamanese. 5. Habitation and settlement. 6. Aboriginal inhabitants of the Andamens. 7. Aboriginal inhabitants of the Nicobars. 8. Natural resources. 9. The people. 10. The past alive in kitchen-middens. 11. Cultural milieus of great Andamanese. 12. Administration. 13. Tourism promotion schemes in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. 14. Educational administration. Appendix. Index.

"Floating in splendid isolation, east of Indian mainland is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks, known as Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Once a hill range extending from Myanmar to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of exotic flowers and birds and inhabited by aboriginal tribes namely Jarwas, Shampens, Onges and Sentenelese. Known as "Kala Pani" (the penal settlement) in yore days of British suzerainty, these beautiful islands are now point of attraction to tourists, visitors, anthropologists, sociologists, natural scientists and others.

Though many books are there on A&N Islands, specially addressing the particular point of view of the authors, this book is unique, which presents the Islands in encyclopaedic way. Andaman and Nicobar Islands: current scenario and formation; history of Nicobars; dynamics of socialisation of the Andamanese; habitation and settlement; aboriginal inhabitants of Andamans and Nicobars; natural resources; people; cultural milieus; administration; and tourism promotion schemes and many more topics are elaborately dealt in this volume.

Undoubtedly, the information presented herein will be useful to scholars and laymen alike." (jacket)