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  In Search of History “Forests are encroaching on human settlements…” “The forest swallowed up the city in a few years…” We often read such phrases in novels, but few years back, during my visit to Ross Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, I saw this happening in real life. Ross Island, now called Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island , has a fascinating history. Once, it was the administrative capital of the British in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Named after Captain Daniel Ross, a marine surveyor, this island was a powerful symbol of British dominance. The British took control of Ross Island in the 1850s and ruled it for almost 80 years. They built luxurious buildings like the Chief Commissioner’s bungalow, a bakery, a church, a tennis court, and more, earning it the title “Paris of the East.” But nature has reclaimed its place. Today, the grand buildings are overrun by roots and vines, swallowed by trees like banyan tress and many varieties of Ficus family membe...