Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Hoisted Tricolour at Port Blair on December 30, 1943, Marking First Indian Territory Freed from British Rule

Historic flag hoisting in Andaman and Nicobar Islands symbolised India’s first liberation from colonial rule; PM Modi recalls Netaji’s courage on 82nd anniversary

One of the most defining moments of India’s freedom struggle unfolded on this day 82 years ago, when Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose hoisted the Indian National Flag at Port Blair on December 30, 1943, declaring the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as the first Indian territory freed from British colonial rule.

The historic event marked a watershed in India’s independence movement and fulfilled Netaji’s pledge that the Indian National Army (INA) would set foot on Indian soil before the end of 1943.

Historic Tricolour Unfurling at Port Blair in 1943

On December 30, 1943, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, then the Supreme Commander of the Azad Hind Fauj and Head of the Provisional Government of Azad Hind, unfurled the national tricolour at the Gymkhana Ground in Port Blair, now known as Netaji Stadium.

This was the first time the Indian national flag was hoisted on Indian soil liberated from British control, making the Andaman and Nicobar Islands the first Indian territory to break free from colonial rule.

How Andaman and Nicobar Islands Came Under Azad Hind Government

During the Second World War, the Japanese Imperial Forces occupied the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on March 23, 1943. Subsequently, on November 6, 1943, the Japanese Prime Minister announced at the Greater East Asia Conference in Tokyo that the islands would be transferred to the Provisional Government of Azad Hind.

Soon after this declaration, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose arrived in the islands as the Head of State of the Azad Hind Government, cementing their symbolic and political importance in India’s freedom struggle.

Netaji’s Visit to Andaman Islands and Declaration of First Liberated Territory

Netaji visited the South Andaman district between December 29 and 31, 1943, receiving a rousing welcome from local residents. During his stay, he resided at the former British Chief Commissioner’s official residence on Ross Island.

On December 30, 1943, by hoisting the tricolour and formally declaring the islands free from British rule, Netaji made history — an act widely regarded as unique in the annals of the British Raj and the Indian independence movement.

Sankalp Smarak and Annual Commemoration at Flag Point

To honour this landmark moment and pay tribute to the martyrs of the freedom struggle, the Sankalp Smarak was later inaugurated in Port Blair. The memorial stands as a symbol of commitment, sacrifice, duty, and national resolve, closely associated with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In 2018, on the 75th anniversary of the historic flag hoisting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hoisted the national flag at Flag Point in Port Blair. Since then, December 30 is commemorated annually with official events marking Netaji’s first tricolour unfurling on Indian soil.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Pays Tribute to Netaji on December 30

On the 82nd anniversary of the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, highlighting his courage and leadership during India’s struggle for independence.

In a social media post, the Prime Minister said that Netaji’s unfurling of the tricolour at Port Blair on December 30, 1943, remains a powerful reminder that freedom is forged not merely through aspiration, but through strength, justice, hard work, and collective resolve.

Why December 30, 1943 Remains a Turning Point in India’s Freedom Struggle

The hoisting of the national flag at Port Blair symbolised more than a ceremonial act — it represented the first tangible assertion of Indian sovereignty on liberated Indian territory during the colonial era.

By declaring the Andaman and Nicobar Islands free from British rule, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose transformed the islands into a living symbol of resistance, self-rule, and national pride, reinforcing the ideological and strategic momentum of the freedom movement.

Even today, December 30 stands as a historic milestone, reminding the nation of Netaji’s vision, courage, and unwavering commitment to India’s independence.