The Forgotten Identity: Local Born & the Legacy of PRE42 Communities in Andaman

By Vikkramjeet

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are often seen through the lens of beauty, biodiversity, and tourism. But buried under the lush green forests and sandy shores are stories of struggle, loss, and deep identity crises — especially that of the PRE42 communities. Among them, one community stands out with a story so unique and tragic, yet deeply rooted in resilience — the “Local Born”.


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PRE42: The Settlers Before 1942

The term PRE42 refers to communities whose ancestors were settled in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands before 1942, before the Japanese occupation of World War II. These settlers were brought during British rule, some as convicts, some as laborers, some for agricultural development.

Among these PRE42 communities, the most recognized are:

Moplah – descendants of Muslim convicts from Kerala

Bhantu – originally from North India, classified as a denotified tribe

Karein – tribal groups with strong cultural roots

Local Born – children of early convicts and settlers born in Andaman itself


While each of these groups has a deep history, it is the Local Born who carry the heaviest burden of forgotten identity.


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Who Are the Local Born?

The “Local Born” are the native-born descendants of early convicts and settlers. Their families have been on the islands since the 1800s and early 1900s, living through British rule, Japanese occupation, and post-independence India.

But what makes them so unique — and vulnerable — is this:

They don’t know what Indian state or region their forefathers came from

They’ve lost their original languages, castes, and customs

They have no “mainland” to return to — Andaman is their only identity


They are born of the island soil, yet legally and socially, their identity has never been clearly recognized.


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The Cultural Crisis of the Local Born

While other PRE42 communities like Moplah or Bhantu still retain aspects of their original language or traditions, Local Born are culturally unanchored.

No ancestral language

No caste or ethnic group to claim

No recognized state of origin


This has left them invisible in official records, and often excluded from schemes, benefits, and representation meant for Scheduled Tribes or backward classes.

Ironically, though they’ve lived on the islands for generations — many even before India gained independence — they are still waiting for formal recognition and basic rights.


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Andaman: More Than Home — It’s Their Homeland

For a Local Born individual, Andaman is not just a place of residence — it is everything:

Their only known land

Their cultural womb

Their past, present, and future


They do not have any “native village” in India. Their bloodlines, stories, and roots all begin and end in Andaman. In spirit, they are Andamanis — and nothing else.


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Challenges Faced by Local Born & PRE42 Communities

Despite their long history in the islands, these communities face:

Lack of legal recognition as original inhabitants

Unclear land rights and patta ownership issues

No dedicated quotas in education or jobs

Neglect in policymaking and representation


Worse, many youth from the Local Born community feel culturally lost, unsure of where they belong in modern India.


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A Call for Recognition and Respect

The PRE42 communities, especially the Local Born, need more than sympathy — they need:

1. Official Recognition as Native Islanders


2. Land Ownership Rights for multi-generational settlers


3. Cultural Preservation Initiatives to document their stories


4. Reserved Opportunities in Education, Employment, and Welfare


5. Representation in Policy Decisions at the UT and Central Level




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Conclusion: Remember the Forgotten

The story of Andaman is not complete without the voices of those who built it silently — the convicts, the workers, the forgotten families — and their descendants.

Among them, the Local Born stand tall with no homeland but the island, no past but their struggle, and no caste but their humanity.

They are true Andamanis — and it’s time India remembers them.

Andaman: More Than Home — It’s Their Homeland

For a Local Born individual, Andaman is not just a place of residence — it is everything:

Their only known land

Their cultural womb

Their past, present, and future


They do not have any “native village” in India. Their bloodlines, stories, and roots all begin and end in Andaman. In spirit, they are Andamanis — and nothing else.

However, after Andaman and Nicobar Islands became a part of independent India, the central government initiated large-scale settlement schemes. People from various parts of India were relocated to the islands, including:

Bengali refugees

Sri Lankan repatriates (Tamils)

Malayalee (Kerala) settlers

Telugu and Hindi-speaking migrants


These decisions, made without considering the historical presence and future of the PRE42 community, had a deep and lasting impact. Over time, the PRE42 Local Born community became a numerical minority in their own homeland.

Today, the political power lies largely with the post-independence settlers, who dominate the electoral landscape. With the majority of voters now being Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and other mainland-origin populations, the PRE42 community lacks representation in local politics, administration, and decision-making bodies.

As a result:

Their voices go unheard in policy matters

Their historical contributions are ignored

Their demands remain on the sidelines


The tragedy is not just about numbers — it is about being politically invisible in the land they helped shape.


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