Fort William, Kolkata Overview
On the eastern bank of the Hooghly River in the city of Kolkata, stands the massive Fort William structure. The fort, which bears King William III’s name and was the first British stronghold in the nation, was constructed in 1696. The beautiful building, which spans 70.9 acres, is decorated with countless arched windows that gaze out over lush green gardens. The building’s exterior is adorned with meticulous stonework that took up to ten years to complete. But as soon as it became clear that the structure had some flaws, a new octagonal structure was erected, the foundation of which was laid by Sir Robert Clive.
Fort William has had a variety of uses throughout its history, all of which were diametrically opposed to one another. It was originally made from wings and an inner bastion where criminals were dragged, earning it the nickname “the black hole of Calcutta.” As of right now, Fort William belongs to the Indian Army and can house up to 10,000 soldiers. Additionally, it acts as the Eastern Command’s administrative centre. Army troops and their relatives are the only people who have access to the fort’s interior because of its significance to Indian intelligence. But you may go see the palace because of its magnificent design.
Weather: N.A.
Timings: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Entry Fee: Free
History of Fort William
The name Fort William is associated with a lengthy and storied past. There are two Fort Williams, which is interesting. Under John Goldsborough’s direction, the British East India Company constructed the first one in 1696. The South-East Bastion and its accompanying walls were the first elements to be built when building began along the Hooghly River. In the end, it was given the name William III in 1700. John Beard expanded the fort in 1701 by erecting the North-East bastion, and in the fort’s middle, work on the Government House began. Fort William was finally finished in the year 1706, and the finished structure had two floors and projecting wings. The “Black Hole of Calcutta” was an interior guard room.
Siraj Ud Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, assaulted the William Fort in 1756 and briefly took control of the city. He changed the area’s name to “Alinagar” and took over command of the fort. This prompted the British to construct a new fort in the Maidan under Robert Clive’s close supervision. Following the Battle of Plassey in 1757, work on the new fort started in 1758. Additionally, a two-year period and almost two million pounds in expenses were incurred.
The Architecture Of Fort William
The rebuilt Willliam Fort boasts an impressive brick-and-mortar building that is octagonal in design. Five of its sides had a lovely maidan full of flora in front of them, while the other three fronted the Ganga River. The fort’s construction was done in such a way that it was impregnable by cannons firing slid shot. Its design is based on a star. Additionally, a moat was incorporated into the plan to protect against fire and firefighter attempts to breach the wall. The fort is accessible by six gates: Chowringhee, Plassey, Calcutta, Water Gate, St. George’s, and Treasury. In the year 1928, St. Peter Church was built inside the new Fort.
Present-day Facilities At Fort William
The Indian Army currently has control over the fort. The fort currently provides its dwelling members with several contemporary amenities, such as a swimming pool, a firing range, and a boxing arena. It is a significant resource for the Indian Armed Forces and is big enough to house close to 10,000 interns.
How To Reach Fort William Kolkata
The city’s geographic core is where Fort William is. Roads connect it to several places. Buses and taxis can be utilized to get there with ease.
