Kolkata’s eastern army command has been rechristened to Vijay Durg. Built in 1781, the historic Fort William was named after King William III during the reign of the Bengal Presidency. In the area known as Maidan, houses some of India’s iconic landmarks such as the Victoria Memorial and the St. Paul’s Cathedral. Stretching over 177 acres, named after King William III, it had been a symbol of colonial rule and expansion. In this monumental step towards decolonisation, a formal announcement is awaited.
As per the TOI report, Wing Commander Himanshu Tiwari, Chief Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Defence (Kolkata), confirmed that the decision was reportedly taken in mid-December last year. “The order came in the second week of December but is yet to be formally announced. In our internal communication, we have stopped using Fort William,” he told the publication.
Other historic edifices have also been renamed. In addition, the Kitchener House inside Fort William has been renamed to Manekshaw House after Sam Manekshaw, who was the Chief of Army staff during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war. The South Gate, also known as St George’s Gate, has been renamed to Shivaji Gate and the Russel Block to Bagha Jatin Block.
This decision of changing names to further the motive of decolonisation is not new. Many leaders have taken this step to further the values of sovereignty in India. ‘Vijay Durg’ is also the name of the oldest fort along the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra. It was the naval base of the Marathas during the regime of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
The renaming of Fort William to Vijay Durg marks a significant step in India’s ongoing effort to reclaim its historical identity and move beyond colonial remnants. By honoring indigenous heroes and traditions, this initiative reflects a conscious shift towards recognizing India’s rich past. While the formal announcement is still awaited, internal communications have already embraced the change.
Such renaming efforts are not new, as India continues to revisit its colonial-era institutions and landmarks. The move not only instills a sense of national pride but also reinforces the values of sovereignty and self-identity, ensuring that historical narratives reflect the country’s legacy and aspirations.