Central government of India rules the Andaman islands.The existence of these islands was first reported in the 9th century by Arab merchants, who sailed past them on their way to the straits of Sumatra. The first western visitor was Marco Polo who called it the land of the head hunters. Marathas had captured these islands and remained in control till the death of Maratha Admiral Kanhoji Angre in 1729.

      Andaman and Nicobar Islands were finally annexed by the British in the 19th century and used as a penal colony for Indian freedom fighters. The penal settlement known as Kala Pani or Black Water where the most criminals were sent, never to be seen again. In the notorius 'Cellular Jail' many of the inmates were executed, either judicially or clandestinely.

      During world war II, the Japanese captured these islands and were planning to make it their base to attack Asian countries. But the Britishers and the local tribes organised guerrilla attacks on them.After India gained independence in 1947, the islands were incorporated into the Indian Union.

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