Fort William in Kolkata stands majestically on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River. It earlier consisted of a two-storied building and the guard room of this building. Fort William, owing to its octagonal shape, faces the River Ganga from three sides. Lush green gardens embrace the other five sides. The Fort is enclosed by a moat that could be filled with water when required. The Fort also has a facility to accommodate ten thousand interns. The considerable archway is popularly known as “Plassey Gate”. There are six entry points: Chowringhee, Plassey Calcutta, Water Gate St Georges and the Treasury Gate. It is well equipped with a swimming pool, boxing stadium, firing range and other necessities. It also has an intimidating Arsenal inside. To visit the Arsenal, prior permission of the Commanding Officer of the Fort is required. Visit Fort William for an intriguing insight into the history of India when the British Empire rule
History of Fort Williams
History reveals two Fort Williams, the old and the new. The original Fort William was built in 1696.During the Plassey War in 1757, Siraj Ud Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, attacked the Fort and defeated the Britishers.The prisoners were captured in a dungeon, and the incident is known as the black hole tragedy. Post-attack, the British became aware of their weakness and strengthened the Fort. Sir Robert Clive commenced the building of the new Fort completed in 1780 under his guidance of Robert and named it after King William III of England. This Fort also served as a British Stronghold in that era and was considered a symbol of dominance in Kolkata. In 1928, St. Peter’s Church was constructed inside the Fort. Today, the Fort is the property of the Indian Army and is currently the headquarters of the eastern command based inside.
Architecture of Fort William
This Fort William was built in an octagonal shape and made of brick and mortar. Its three sides face the River Ganga, and the remaining one side is in front of the greenery. The design of Fort Williams follows the pattern of a star. Moreover, a St. Peter Church was constructed inside the new Fort William in 1928. This imposing structure reflects the grand design and rich history, and you should surely add this to your go-to list while enjoying Kolkata tourism.
Location: Maidan, Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata, West Bengal
Opening Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm everyday.
Time Required: 1-2 hours
How to Get Entry for Fort William
You will need to get permission to visit Fort William as it is a restricted area and comes under the authority of the Indian Army. The charges for Fort William depend on the purposes, including tourism, research, and official business. You should contact the office to know your ticket prices and enjoy your visit.
Best Time to Visit Fort William Kolkata
The climate of Kolkata is unpredictable, and every season brings beautiful weather conditions. On top of that, this city’s landscape becomes more lovely each season. However, the best time to visit Fort William is the summer season. During this season, you can get a clear sky that lets you witness the mountains and enjoy joyful sightseeing. May is the ideal month to explore Fort William, and February is considered the coldest month. If you want to enjoy the rain shower, October to December could be your ideal time.
How to Reach Fort William Kolkata?
Located in the city’s center and a popular tourist attraction, reaching this fort is hassle-free. There are various modes of transportation to reach this fort from any point in this city. To reach this fort, you can hire an auto-rickshaw, taxi, cab, or mini bus from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. Apart from that, you can reach this fort by metro. Maidan Metro Station is the nearest metro station, around a few kilometers from the fort.
Tourist Attractions Near Fort William
There are several tourist attractions which you can visit near the iconic Fort William. These tourist places are just within a few kilometers and uplift your tourist attractions in so many ways. Here is the list of popular places to visit in Kolkata near Fort William.
- James Princep ghat
- Victoria Memorial
- Indian Museum
- Citizen’s Park
- Graffiti Lane
- Hooghly River
- Mohor Kunja
You can enjoy joyful sightseeing in this city by covering various tourist attractions. We have well-curated Kolkata tour packages that include meals, transfers, sightseeing tours, and accommodations.
