The World's Most Extravagant Deserted Domains
5. The Island of Ross
Place: Ross Island, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India
Period: 1857
Expense: $2 million
Ross Island, part of India's Andaman & Nicobar Islands, is one of approximately 500 islands in the region. During the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the British colonists transformed Ross Island into a prison.
On their section of the island, the British constructed tennis courts, chapels, and luxurious bungalows, showcasing their privilege and comfort. In stark contrast, Indian captives were confined to dilapidated jail cells, highlighting the disparities in treatment between the colonizers and the prisoners.
In 1941, a devastating earthquake struck Ross Island, resulting in the loss of nearly all its inhabitants. During World War II, the Japanese occupied the island and repurposed its structures into bunkers, adapting the colonial buildings for military use.
After the war, the Japanese abandoned Ross Island, leaving it to the elements. Although it is now accessible to the public, nature has reclaimed the space, with roots, vines, and other flora overtaking the remnants of the once-thriving settlement.
