The Indian Army’s Eastern Command headquarters, Fort William has been rechristened as Vijay Durg, in an effort to eliminate British-era imprints. The decision regarding the renaming of the Kolkata-based headquarters was taken last December. Though the military has already started using the new name, a formal official announcement is awaited. Simultaneously, Kitchener House located inside the fort will now be known as Manekshaw House, St. George’s Gate as Shivaji Gate, and the Russel Block as Bagha Jatin Block.
About Fort William
- It was built in 1781 by the British to ensure administrative ease during the Bengal Presidency. The fort, which is located on the eastern banks of the Hooghly River, was named after King William III, who was the king of England from 1672 to 1702.
- It helped the British rule over Bengal while controlling trade and military operations in the area.
- Spread over a vast land of 177 acres, this property now belongs to the Indian Army. It serves as the Eastern Command Headquarters of the Army, with a capacity to accommodate around 10,000 personnel.
- Additionally, the fort has a dedicated museum showcasing artefacts related to the Indo-Pak War of 1971 and the Bangladesh Liberation War. Sam Manekshaw played a critical role in this war as Army Chief and ensured India’s victory.
Renaming initiative by the government
- The Government of India has been changing the names of monuments, institutions, military bases, and other important places that remind of the British colonial era. For instance, Rajpath of New Delhi has been renamed Kartavya Path.
- This is also an attempt to honour prominent personalities from the past, especially freedom fighters, who played an instrumental role in India’s movement.
