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| Source: Elgin Articles |
Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal and one of the biggest cities of India is about 1886 square Kilometers large. Kolkata means nostalgia, memories, and history. It was the capital of India during the British reign in India till 1912. So, from a historical and cultural perspective, it has immense importance. Even some heritage sites and memorials existed in this city of Joy. Kolkata is itself very lovable and wonderful. Whoever visits Kolkata for the first time, he or will for sure fall in love with the charm of this city and the people of this city.
But keeping all this aside here we are going to discuss one of the iconic historical sites of ‘Tilotomma’ which is Fort William, the citadel of Kolkata built by Britishers in the 19th Century. The biggest sign of the military power of the British Raj in the East. It was used as a fort for Indian troops in the past.
History of the Fort
Old Fort
In reality, there were two Fort William: one old, the other new. The old fort is the creation of the East India Company. Sir Charles Ayer started the construction of the southeast of the fort and adjacent walls.
The Nawabs of Bengal gave the East India Company approval to begin building in 1696. The southeast wall of the fort and the surrounding fortifications were first built by Sir Charles Ayer. John Beard, his successor, expanded the northeast by adding the fort. In the center of the fort, he constructed the Factory or Government House in 1702. On October 06, 1702 the British flag was raised at Fort William Fort for the first time. This served to introduce the pre-preparation of the British Raj. It has progressively engulfed all of India, from Bengal. The fifth century saw the fort's last stages of development. The fort was then given the name Fort William in respect of the English king.
It was usually constructed to safeguard East India Company commerce. Their principal trading post was this fort. Although the fort was constructed to provide security, its design was flawed from the start. The East India Company's Court of Directors remarked that the fort's riverfront position was not particularly strong because of the tall structures. The fort's strength was put to the test in 9 by Nawab Sirajuddaula's invasion of Kolkata, according to Governor Roger Drake of Fort William. On June 19, 1756, Governor Drake and his forces were forced to evacuate the fort as the Nawab invaded Kolkata, entered the fort, and took control of it. This is where the old fort started to be destroyed.
New Fort
The East India Company began to play a regulating role in Bengali politics during the Post-Palashi era. The corporation sees the need for a fortress where they may channel their growing vigor in the shifting political landscape. The company is first expected to fortify the old fort and enhance its defenses. General Benjamin Robins, the company's chief engineer, and after his death Colonel Foderick Scott were associated with the renewal procedure. But all was altered by the Palashi Revolution.
Clive suggests that the current fort be replaced with a new one. As a result, John Brahie, the engineer for Fort St. David, traveled to Calcutta to supervise Brahie's construction. On September 7, 1758, the company's Bangla officials requested a potential expense account from Brahie. Brahie estimates thatto Brahie's estimation, the cost to build the fort will be between 20 and 22 lacks. The majority of the fort's construction was finished by 1780. The fort started serving a purpose under Warren Hastings.
The second phase of the fort began in 1860 and lasted until the end of the nineteenth century, around a century later. The construction of Fort William followed accepted guidelines for creating a modern fort. It's a castle with eight sides. The three sides and the side of the ground stretch to the river on the five sides of the ground. Water from the river surrounds the fort. The fort had seven entrances available. Early barracks were constructed with only one story.
There was a St. Peter's Church inside the fort. Medical facilities and a sufficient supply of drinking water are located at the fort's terminus. The East India Company rose to become the dominant political force in East India after the fort's construction. As a result, Fort William, which had just been constructed, was unable to serve as an active fort. Indeed, Fort William has never been under siege; the enemy has never been fired upon by cannon or gun from the top of the fort's wall. Fort William is still present as a reminder of English colonial control in India.
Written by - Joy
Edited by - Kritika Sharma
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