|
|
 |
|
|
Fort William Sightseeing - in Kolkata by jackson curry
|
|
|
Fort William Sightseeing - in Kolkata |
|
|
|
|
|
Travel & Tourism
|
|
|
Fort William is a historic monument in the heart of the city of Kolkata spread over an area of 5 square km. Situated on the east bank of the River Hooghly close to the Vivekananda Setu this Fort is a fine example of the British legacy in Kolkata. This fort is named after King William III of England and Ireland. This Fort completed in 1781 is now the Head Quarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army and this may be the only Fort in the world from which no gunshot has been fired. There are actually two forts in the Fort William complex. During the early years of British rule the need for a fort at Kolkata was felt. Under the supervision of John Goldsborough the construction was started on the east bank of Hooghly in 1696. The south east bastion and walls were completed by Sir Charles Eyre in the year 1700. The North east bastion added in 1701 by John Beard. Construction of the government house was completed in 1706. This old Fort with two stories and projected wings and internal guard room is known as ‘Black Hole of Kolkata’. In an infamous incident many British citizens died due to suffocation in the guard room of the fort on 20th June 1756 when the soldiers of Siraj Ud Daula captured the fort and locked 147 British prisoners in a small room inside the fort. This incident ultimately led to the Battle of Plassey, in which Robert Clive defeated Siraj Ud Daula. The British felt that the Fort is no more unconquerable and need strengthening. Robert Clive started the construction of the new fort in 1758. The new constructions were completed in 1781 at a cost of 2 million pounds. It is in brick and mortar, in an irregular octagonal shape with five sides towards land and three towards the river. Fort is surrounded by dry moat 9m deep and 15m wide. The six gates are named as Chowringee Gate, Plassey Gate Kolkata Gate, Water Gate, St. George’s Gate and Treasury Gate. Old buildings of Fort William are used as Customs House since 1766. Fort William, the Headquarters of the Eastern Command has swimming pool, Cinema hall, shopping mall, play ground, restaurants and post office inside the compound. A 9 hole golf course was built in 1963 for the entertainment of retired and serving army personnel. There is a museum inside Fort William exhibiting arms, armors, swords, machine guns etc. and photographs related to Burma and Bangladesh wars. The Maidan around the Fort is the largest urban park of Kolkata. Preferred timing for visitors is 10 -12 in the morning. Nearest railway station to Fort William is Howrah and the nearest metro station is Maidan. For More Info: Fort William Kolkata and Places to Visit in Kolkata
Related Articles -
Fort William Kolkata, Places to Visit in Kolkata,
|
Rate This Article  |
|
|
|
|
|
Do you Agree or Disagree? Have a Comment? POST IT!
| Reader Opinions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Author Login |
|
|
 |
Advertiser Login
ADVERTISE HERE NOW!
Limited Time $60 Offer!
90 Days-1.5 Million Views
|
|
TIM FAY
After 60-plus years of living, I am just trying to pass down some of the information that I have lea...more
|
|
|
|
|
GENE MYERS
Author of four books and two screenplays; frequent magazine contributor. I have four other books "in...more
|
|
|
|
|
LAURA JEEVES
At LeadGenerators, we specialise in content-led Online Marketing Strategies for our clients in the t...more
|
|
|
|
|
ALEX BELSEY
I am the editor of QUAY Magazine, a B2B publication based in the South West of the UK. I am also the...more
|
|
|
|
|
SUSAN FRIESEN
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, ...more
|
|
|
|
|
STEPHEN BYE
Steve Bye is currently a fiction writer, who published his first novel, ‘Looking Forward Through the...more
|
|
|
|
|
SHALINI MITTAL
A postgraduate in Fashion Technology. Shalini is a writer at heart! Writing for her is an expression...more
|
|
|
|
|
ADRIAN JOELE
I have been involved in nutrition and weight management for over 12 years and I like to share my kn...more
|
|
|
|
|
JAMES KENNY
James is a Research Enthusiast that focuses on the understanding of how things work and can be impro...more
|
|
|
|
