Fort William, Kolkata

Built on the site of old village Govindapur, and commissioned by the British after their defeat in 1756, Fort William was completed in 1781 and name after King William III. The fort functions as the military headquarters of the eastern command so the entry is allowed in certain sections on special occasions.



A rough Octagon, about 500m in diameter, whose massive but low bunker-like battlements are punctuated at six main gates of the fort, it was designed to hold all the city's Europeans in the event of attack. It includes the church of St Peter (now a library), strong rooms, prison, barracks & stables and an arsenal.