Fort William

Source:  IT

Context: Fort William, the historic British-era military fortification in Kolkata, has been renamed “Vijay Durg” as part of the Indian government’s efforts to shed colonial legacies and promote indigenous traditions.

About Fort William:

• Located in: Fort William is situated in Kolkata, West Bengal, on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, a major distributary of the Ganga.
• Built in:

• • The original Fort William was constructed in 1696 and completed in 1706.
  • The current fort was rebuilt between 1758 and 1781 after the Battle of Plassey.

• Built by:

• • The original fort was built by the British East India Company under Sir John Goldsborough.
  • The current fort was reconstructed under the supervision of Robert Clive after the British regained control of Kolkata following the Battle of Plassey (1757).

• History:

• • Original Fort (1696-1706):
    • Constructed during the early years of British rule in Bengal.
    • Named after King William III of England.
    • Captured and destroyed by Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, in 1756 during the Siege of Calcutta.
  • Rebuilt Fort (1758-1781):
    • Reconstructed by the British after their victory in the Battle of Plassey (1757).
    • Designed as a massive military fortification to prevent future attacks.

• Features:

• • Architecture:
    • Spread over 70 hectares, the fort is one of the largest British-era military structures in India.
    • Designed in a star-shaped layout for enhanced defense capabilities.
  • Current Use:
    • Headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Command.
  • Historical Significance:
    • The site of the infamous “Black Hole of Calcutta” incident in 1756.
    • Home to the first Indian Masonic lodge, established in 1730.
  • Cultural and Military Heritage:
    • Houses a war memorial and museum showcasing artifacts from the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War and the Bangladesh Liberation War.
  • Recent Changes:
    • Along with it, Kitchener House renamed Manekshaw House, and St. George’s Gate renamed Shivaji Gate as part of the “Indianisation” of military traditions.

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