Kolkata: In a move signaling India’s continued shift away from colonial legacies, the Indian Army has officially renamed Kolkata’s historic Fort William, now known as ‘Vijay Durg.’ The decision, made in December 2024, reflects the country’s dedication to honouring its indigenous military heritage.
Fort William, originally constructed in 1781 during the Bengal Presidency, was named after King William III, symbolizing British colonial rule. However, in a significant break from this past, the new name, inspired by the Vijaydurg Fort in Maharashtra—a Maratha naval stronghold under Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj—aligns with the Indian government’s ongoing decolonization efforts.
The renaming of the Eastern Command headquarters is part of a broader effort to replace colonial-era names with those reflecting India’s rich cultural and military history. According to Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari, Chief Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Defence in Kolkata, internal communications have already adopted the new name, though a formal announcement is yet to be made.
Further changes at the fort include the renaming of Kitchener House to ‘Manekshaw House’ in honor of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, who served as the Chief of Army Staff during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. In addition, the South Gate will now be known as Shivaji Gate, previously St. George’s Gate, while the Russel Block will become Bagha Jatin Block, a tribute to the revolutionary freedom fighter.
Spanning 177 acres and located near prominent landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial and St. Paul’s Cathedral, Fort William’s renaming marks a pivotal step in India’s ongoing efforts to dismantle colonial legacies by revising historical structures’ identities.
