James Island (Andaman Islands)

James Island, also known as Junglee Ghat Island, is a small island located within the Andaman Islands archipelago, part of the Indian territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is situated near the southern part of South Andaman Island, close to Port Blair. The island is historically significant as it housed a penal settlement established during the British colonial era. This penal colony, known as the Junglee Ghat penal settlement, predates the infamous Cellular Jail in Port Blair and was one of the earliest attempts to establish a large-scale prison system in the Andaman Islands.

The island's primary function was as a location for isolating and punishing convicts, often those deemed dangerous or requiring harsher conditions than those available in the mainland prisons. The settlement was characterized by its remote location and rudimentary infrastructure, leading to high mortality rates among the prisoners due to disease, harsh labor, and limited access to resources.

Today, James Island is largely uninhabited and serves primarily as a historical site. While the original penal settlement structures are mostly in ruins, the island stands as a somber reminder of the brutal realities of the colonial penal system and the suffering endured by the prisoners held there. Visitation to the island is sometimes possible, offering a glimpse into the past and the dark history of the Andaman Islands as a prison colony. Its proximity to Port Blair makes it a feasible, albeit less frequently visited, site for historical tourism compared to more well-preserved sites like Cellular Jail. Efforts have been made to preserve the remaining historical remnants and educate visitors about the island's past.