Why In The News?

• Fort William in Kolkata, the headquarters of the Eastern Army Command, has been renamed Vijay Durg.
• The Kitchener House inside Fort William has been renamed Manekshaw House, and South gate, formerly known as St. George’s Gate is now Shivaji Gate.

Fort William:

=> The first Fort William was constructed by the British East India Company in 1696 along the eastern banks of the Hooghly River.

=>  It was named after King William III of England.

=> Structure: The fort is known for its irregular octagonal structure and arched windows.

=> There are six gates: Chowringhee, Plassey, Calcutta, Water Gate, St Georges and the Treasury Gate.

=> The Maidan, the largest park in India, is located in front of the fort.

=> In 1756, Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah of Bengal attacked and captured the fort, leading to the infamous ‘Black Hole of Calcutta’ incident.

=> After the British regained control following the Battle of Plassey (1757), a new and more fortified structure was built between 1758 and 1781 under the command of Robert Clive.