Information on William Fort (Kolkata, West Bengal) - History & Architecture

The Fort found in the Eastern banks of River Hooghly, Calcutta (Kolkata) is William Fort, which is truly an architectural splendor that depicts the beauty of architectural excellence during British India. The imperial building today is the base of the Indian army of the eastern wing and Eastern Command Head Quarter of Indian Army. The name of the Fort is kept after the name of the King William III from England Ireland and II of Scotland. The colossal Fort which is now under the subject of the defence once was at its glory and even today it is and thus its historical importance value is well talked about and its architectural value remains the ideology of many archeologist and architecturar. The sprawling Maidan, which used to be the part of the Fort and is considered as the largest urban park in Calcutta is to be found by the entrance of the fort.

William Fort Architecture

The William Fort or the Fort William is constructed with bricks and mortar or big guns and has led the figure of an uncommon octagon shape, and the area that it covers is 5 kms. Where the five side of the fort is turning or positioned towards the landward and the three sides are positioned towards the Hooghly River. The figure of the fort is designed in star, so that they can defend from the cannon attacks from the enemy. The fort is edged by the moat which is 9 meters and 15 meters in board. This is designed in the way so that they flank the fire if needed or attacked by the enemy or the attackers who is trying to reach the walls though it can be flooded.

In the fort there are around six gates in total number, and is given the names which can be found accordingly; Chowringhee, Plassey Calcutta, Water Gates St George and the Treasury Gate. Later the fort was renovated and then was used as customs office since 1766. Thus the architectural importance and the details that is given to built this colossal Fort William remains the subject to talk about as it truly depicts the marvel, which is incomparable when it comes to the time and era it was constructed.

William Fort History

The Fort William located in Calcutta, is actually about two Forts, the old and the new Fort. The fort was originally built in the year 1696. It was constructed by the British East India Company, which was supervised under the guidance of John Goldborough. However the construction of the fort was initially stated by Sir Charles Eyre and the construction was done nearby the bank of the River Hooghly, along with the South-East Bastion or the fortress and with the walls collide. The name of the fort was given after the King William 3 in 1700. The successor of King William, John Beard, hence forth added the North-East fortress in 1701. Shortly in 1702, the construction of the factory or the Government House also came into construction. This is located in the interior of the Fort making it colossal in look an. Nevertheless the construction was over or got completed in 1706. In actual the innovative building is with the two stories and is with the extrapolative wings.

Nawab of Bengal, named Siraj Ud Daulah in 1702 had attracted the fort and after his supremacy the city was named as Alinagar. To this incident the British was compelled to build a new fort in the Maidan. The new construction of the fort was done after the Battle of Plassey of 1757. The construction was started by Robert Clive, in the year 1758 and completed by 1781. The cost of the rebuilding was approximately 2 million pound.

The Maidan was regarded as the Lungs of the city, after the entire area around the fort was vacant. The area is enlarged to about approximately 3 km, towards the north- south direction and it is broaden about 1km wide. The William Fort is well-known as the fore most, long lasted construction of the Raj era. The area of the fort has been wide broadening over an area of 70.9 hectares and is the one of the astounding dimension of that time. The William Fort is the only fort in the world which is known for unconvinced distinction for not firing a single shot.

On the other hand, the Old fort is used for the Custom house after it got renovated in 1766, and since then it remained as the custom house.

In today's era the fort is to be found in the periphery of the green lush Maidan, which is the possession of the Indian Army. The fort is secured by the guards, with strict provisions and the entry of the civilians or the natives are strictly prohibited. The fort is also the base of the Eastern command headquarters and the fort has the stipulation for accommodating 10,000 army trainee or the personnel. Thus it makes the huge base for the army and looking at the sensitivity, no one is allowed to enter the fort, though it carries a huge historical importance.

The St. Peter Church which used to be at the fort and served as the chaplaincy center for the British natives of Kolkata of that time, has currently transformed to the library for the groups of headquarter Eastern Command.

William Fort Tourism Importance

The tourist can visit the William Fort, so they can an experience about the military, the big guns that are placed and the old style architecture. The school trip for the excursion is also in demand of this fort. It is also an important historical attraction which carries lots of importance and depicts the past that is well excavated by William Fort. Though it carries enormous historical significance and has lot of historical attractions to share, being a military area, entry to the civilian area is strictly prohibited. But the museum inside the fort has wide photographs taken during the Burmese campaign and Bangladesh Liberation War. The fort also has the mark of the Black Hole Tragedy which is believed to have taken place in Calcutta. Thus while in Kolkata, don't miss the opportunity to witness the architectural beauty, though one is not allowed to enter inside. One can have the glimpse of it from outside.