Kolkata is known as the cultural capital of the country, and rightfully so. It has a legion of heritage places that reflect our glorious past. One such site is Fort William, standing on the eastern bank of the river Hooghly in Kolkata. It is the headquarters of the Eastern Command of the Indian Army and remains heavily guarded, with certain areas restricted for entry to citizens.
The present fort is a brick-and-mortar structure built in an octagonal shape that spans over 5 square km with river Ganges on three sides and the remaining five sides having the vastness of the Maidan in front. You must've seen grand weddings being organised at Fort William, which has become a major trend in Kolkata.
Apart from being rented out for such big occasions, the fort is a place of immense historical importance and houses a museum, which displays a vast collection of war exhibits spanning from medieval to modern day utilities. There are cannons and tanks captured during the 1971 War of Bangladesh Liberation. Interestingly, the fort also has a 9-hole golf course inside. Being the property of the Indian Army and headquarters of Eastern Army Command, it today is equipped with several modern facilities like a boxing stadium, a swimming pool, a firing range, restaurants, an outdoor playground, a shopping complex, laundry, a movie theatre and a post office. In addition, there is an Arsenal too. Although the arsenal is not open to visitors, you can visit it only with special permission from the commanding officer.
Where: Maidan, Fort William, Hastings, Kolkata
Timing: 10 AM to 5;30 PM
Google Rating: 4.6/5
Entry Fee: Free
How to reach: It is located in Maidan, so it is most conveniently accessible by road. The nearest metro station is Maidan.
