Calcutta now called Kolkata is the largest Indian City in the East. It is also the city that is most associated with the Raj having served as the Imperial capital till 1911. Thus the entire India was controlled by the English from Calcutta.
This long association with the Raj has left the city with iconic buildings and monuments that breathe the spirit of the Raj. One such building is Fort William which was named after William III the King of England at the time the Forts construction was commenced in 1758.
If you drive along the Hooghly River you cannot miss seeing this flat structure nestled within open spaces called the maiden. The maiden with its green spaces is open land and presently serves as the lungs of Calcutta. But at that time when the fort was constructed the open spaces were kept deliberately, so that the cannons mounted on the ramparts of the Fort could have a clear line of fire.
The name of the great Robert Clive is closely associated with this Fort. In 157 after his great victory in the battle of Plessey, Clive made plans for the construction of this fort. It came on the land adjoining the Hooghly River in 1758 and has a checkered history of more than 240 years.
It is estimated that the fort was built at a cost of two million pounds sterling and is one of the best pieces of architecture left behind by the Raj. The Fort has an octagonal shape with six gates surrounded by a moat. The construction is simple but arresting.The Fort was ready for use after a construction activity spanning 13 years.
The Fort was designed by Captain John Brohier on the instructions of Robert Clive who occupied it. Fairly large, the Fort can house 15,000 troops and has excellent barracks inside that have stood the test of time. The Fort also houses the residence of the Army commander.
The fort inside has iconic structures that breathe history. There is the chapel of Saint Peter inside which was built in 1826. The chapel is no longer in use and houses a library. But a visit inside will be a rewarding experience as the names of British heroes who gave their lives for India and the Raj adorn the walls.
Presently the fort is the headquarters of the Indian Army’s eastern command and not open to general visitors. But one can obtain a permit and visit this beautiful structure which is an enduring tribute to the Raj and the days when the sun never set on the British Empire.
