Fort William (India) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fort William |
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| Kolkata, India | |
Fort William, a view from the inside, c. 1828
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| Coordinates | 22°33′28″N 88°20′17″E / 22.5577°N 88.3380°E |
| Type | Fortress, garrisoned and armoured Army Headquarters. |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | British East India Company Siraj Ud Daulah Indian Army (Current) |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1696-1702 |
| In use | 1781 - present |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Plassey |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | Eastern Command |
Fort William is a very old and important fort located in Kolkata, India. It was built by the British East India Company to protect their trading interests in the region. Today, it serves as the headquarters for the Indian Army's Eastern Command.
Contents
Building Fort William
The first Fort William was built between 1696 and 1702. The Nawab of Bengal, who was the local ruler, allowed the British to build this fort. It was a strong building designed to protect the British traders and their goods.
The First Fort
The original fort was not very big. It was built near the Hooghly River, which was important for trade. The British needed a safe place to store their valuable goods and to defend themselves.
Why a New Fort?
In 1756, the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj ud-Daulah, attacked and captured the first Fort William. This event showed the British that their fort was not strong enough. After the Battle of Plassey in 1757, where the British won, they decided to build a much larger and stronger fort.
The New Fort William
The new Fort William was built in a different spot, a little further south. It took many years to complete. This new fort was designed to be much more secure and harder to attack.
Design and Features
The new fort is shaped like an irregular octagon, which means it has eight sides that are not all the same length. It has thick walls and many bastions (parts of the wall that stick out) for defense. There are also moats (ditches filled with water) around the fort to make it even harder for enemies to get in.
A City Within Walls
Inside Fort William, there are many buildings. These include offices, barracks (places for soldiers to live), and even a church. It was like a small, self-contained town for the British soldiers and officials.
Fort William Today
Today, Fort William is still a very active military base. It is controlled by the Indian Army.
Military Headquarters
The fort is the headquarters for the Eastern Command of the Indian Army. This means it's a very important place for planning and directing military operations in the eastern part of India.
Not Open to Public
Because it is an active military base, most of Fort William is not open to the public. However, some parts, like the Maidan (a large open field nearby), are popular public spaces.
A Historical Landmark
Fort William is an important historical landmark. It reminds us of the time when the British East India Company was powerful in India. It also shows how important military forts were for controlling land and trade in the past.
See also
In Spanish: Fort William (Calcuta) para niños
Images for kids
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A view of Calcutta from Fort William (1807)
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Plan (top-view) of Fort William, c. 1844
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Fort William, 1735
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Fort William, by Jan Van Ryne, 1754
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Fort William, Calcutta, 1756
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First English Chapel, Fort William, Calcutta. Raised in 1714, with contribution of Rs. 1000 by the East India Company (p. 197, March 1824)
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St Peter's Church, Fort William by William Prinsep 1835
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Fort William, River Face 1786 (from a coloured engraving by Thomas Daniell).
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The interior of the Arsenal, Fort William by William Prinsep 1835
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Fort William by Samuel Davis
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Main entrance, Fort William 2013
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South gate, Fort William 2013
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St. Peter's Church, Fort William, Kolkata
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Semaphore Tower, Fort William, Kolkata
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Main Gates of Fort William
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