Synopsis
Fort William in Kolkata, now known as Vijay Durg, is significant for its historical military importance. The name change reflects India's cultural heritage, with Kitchener House becoming Manekshaw House. The fort's construction began in 1758, replacing the original destroyed in 1757, and features 497 cannons that were never fired.Key Takeaways
- Fort William has been renamed Vijay Durg.
- Kitchener House is now Manekshaw House.
- The fort spans over 177 acres.
- Construction began in 1758 and completed in 1781.
- It housed 497 cannons that were never fired.
Kolkata, Feb 3 (NationPress) The nearly 250-year-old Fort William in Kolkata, the main station of the Army's Eastern Command, has been officially renamed Vijay Durg, as announced by Wg Cdr Himanshu Tiwari, Chief Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Defence, Kolkata.
Additionally, several other buildings within the Fort have also undergone name changes.
As Wg Cdr Tiwari noted, Kitchener House within Fort William is now referred to as Manekshaw House, and the South Gate, previously known as St George's Gate, has been renamed Shivaji Gate.
A senior official from the Eastern Command explained that the current Fort William, spanning over 177 acres, replaced the original structure that was destroyed by Siraj-ud-Daula's forces in 1757. The construction of the new Fort began in 1758, with the first phase completed by 1781.
The British, having learned from the destruction of the previous fort, built the new one with improved defenses. The ramparts were specifically designed to withstand the cannon fire of that era. This octagonal fort, surrounded by a moat, features eight gates. While three of these gates face the River Hooghly, the remaining five overlook what was then known as the Glacis, now referred to as Kolkata Maidan.
According to the official, 497 cannons were positioned along the ramparts; however, none were fired in defense as the fort was never attacked.
The historic Kitchener House was originally constructed in 1771 as a blockhouse for the Fort Assault Company. In 1784, it was transformed into the residence for the commander-in-chief of the British Indian Army and was named after Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener, who resided there from 1902 to 1910. The decision to rename it after Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw is significant, as he served as India's Chief of the Army Staff during the 1971 conflict, which led to a pivotal victory over Pakistani forces and the liberation of Bangladesh. Notably, Lt Gen AAK Niazi of the Pakistan Army, who surrendered with nearly 90,000 troops in Dhaka on December 16, 1971, was initially held at Kitchener House.
Moreover, renaming St George's Gate to honor Chhatrapati Shivaji holds historical significance. Vijay Durg is also the name of the oldest fort along the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra, which served as a naval base during Shivaji's reign.
