The forts of West Bengal stand as beautiful architectural monuments in different parts of the state and tell the story of the past. Built in ancient times, many of these forts are currently in ruins while many of them still stand in their grandeur. These forts served the rulers of various regions in the past for their defense as well as other purposes. However currently they are the most attractive tourist destinations. The forts of West Bengal reveal many historical facts and greatly enrich the national heritage of the nation.
If you plan to visit ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata, there are some obvious points of interest including the Howrah Bridge and the Victoria Memorial. But, if you are determined to explore something other than the usual places, then this list of forts to visit in Kolkata and other parts of the state is for you.
1. Fort William, Kolkata
Fort William Fort is a historical architecture located in the heart of the city of Kolkata. Named after King William III of England. Currently it serves as the headquarters of the Indian Army’s Eastern Zone in the city. Fort William is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Kolkata.
Visit of Fort William:
Tourism in Fort William is restricted as it is an active military area. Permission is essential for visitors to enter Fort William’s grounds, but the grounds and surrounding area of the fort can be explored. The majestic structure with its octagonal design and fortified moat attracts history buffs and curious travelers alike.
Distance from Kolkata: Located in the center of Kolkata
Inside, which can be seen through the Heritage Walk subject to permission:
- Victory Monument: Located to the right of the east gate of Fort William, this monument is also visible from the Red Road. Created in 1996 to pay tribute to the martyred commandos of the Sino-Indian conflict and the Indo-Pakistani war.
- Dalhousie Barracks: This beautiful white building was built in 1856, and housed Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose as a prisoner for three days.
- St. Peter’s Church: St. Peter’s Church is built in the similarity of the famous chapel of Trinity Hall of Cambridge University. Currently, this St. Peter’s Church is made as the Eastern Command Library.
- Eastern Command Museum: Architectural map of Fort William, various photographs, flags of the time, various instruments of surrender, broken parts of the cockpit, gun ammunition are well preserved inside this museum.
Early History of Fort William:
Fort William was first built in 1696 AD to protect the trading rights of the East India Company. The fort we see today was rebuilt. The old fort was demolished and rebuilt by Sir Robert Clive after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 as it could not withstand an attack during the siege of Calcutta by Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah of Bengal.
2. Fort Mornington: Forts of West Bengal
Fort Mornington is located at the confluence of the Ganga, Damodar and Rupnarayan at Gadiara in Howrah district. Clive kept a lookout for French and Dutch boats from this fort. They also liked this beautiful river route for trade. At night, search lights were also cast from the lighthouse. But later when these two forces lost their power, the British did not value this fort anymore. This fort was damaged in a terrible cyclone in 1942. However, due to the erosion of the river bank, some of the broken parts of the fort also came out in the middle of the river.
Fort Mornington and the Light House are witness to that history peeking into the chest of the Ganga. At present only a portion of the submerged fort or tunnel can be seen twice a day during low tide. When the water rises again, it sinks. To make Gadiara one of the tourist centers, the river bank has been arranged by the government. However, no initiative has been taken so far to protect this sinking history. So the historic Mornington Castle built by Clive may one day disappear from the water.
Distance from Kolkata is 35 km
How to reach Fort Mornington, Gadiara:
- By Bus – It takes a couple of hours to reach here from Kolkata or Howrah. When coming from Kolkata you will find many buses from Dharmatala to Noorpur. After getting off the bus, the Gadiara reached straight across the Khia.
- By train – If you want to come by train, take the local train from Howrah station to Bagnan station, then take a magic car or Toto and come straight to this station.
3. Fort Radisson, Raichak
The Fort Radisson in Rayachk is no longer a true fort as it has now been converted into a 5-star hotel, but still has historical significance. Its main monument, located on the banks of the Hooghly River, was once a symbol of power. Raichak Fort, as it was originally called, was built by the British in 1783 to ward off pirates who took to Calcutta by river. Quite a few soldiers were stationed in this fort on the hill.
Much of the Fort’s structure remains today because of the good restoration by the present owner. The nearby Fort Mornington have disappeared into the river bed in absence of any restoration effort.
Distance from Kolkata is: 56 km
Worth spending a night or two on weekend vacation. Its just 2 hours 30 minutes by car from Kolkata
Also read: Dhanyakuria – The village of Castle in West Bengal
4. Kurumbera Fort, West Midnapore
Just 30 km from Kharagpur in West Midnipur district, Belda is very close to Kurumbera Fort, a living witness of history.
According to history, it was built by King Kapilendra of Odisha between 1435 and 1470. Later Pathan, Mughal and Maratha armies captured this fort and used it as a sense encampment.
Inside the fort there was a Shiva temple named Gaganeswara, a deep well. Researcher and lawyer Radhanath Pati’s book ‘Keshiyadi’ states that ‘the remains of a Deva temple in the eastern part of this compound and a mosque with three massive round domes and arched doorways in the west are still almost intact.’ This mosque was built by Muhammad Tahir during the reign of Aurangzeb.
Distance from Kolkata is: 170 km
To get around:
If history fascinates you, visit the nearby Mughalmari. According to archaeologists, Mughalmari is the largest Buddhist monastery in West Bengal. Contemporaries of Nalanda. Hiu-en-sang came here – not far from Belda. can come around
5. Gosanimari Fort or Rajpat, Cooch Behar
Gosanimari, about 30 km southwest of the district headquarters of Cooch Behar, has one of the few remaining forts in West Bengal, with an interesting history associated with it. Locally this buried mound is called Rajpat.
According to historian Harendra Narayan Chowdhury “The Coochbehar State and its Land Revenue Settlement (1903)”, it was Khen Raja Neeldhvaja who started the construction of the fort at Gosanimari.
Distance from Kolkata is: 723 km
For History Lovers:
Sultan Alauddin Hussain Shah of Bengal (1493-1519) attacked this fort with an army aiming to expand his empire in Bengal. But this Gosanimari fort was very strong and secure. If it was not possible to enter the fort, his forces besieged the fort. Gosanimari fort was very strong and secure. Although the citadel could not be entered, it eventually fell to a lack of faith in the manner of the Greek Trojan Horse. Then Biswa Singh established Koch political power in 1515.
Meanwhile, the Gosanimari fort became desolate and lost in the womb of time. It is said that Scottish geologist Dr. Francis Buchanan Hamilton first visited the mound in 1808. Between 1998 and 2000, the Archaeological Department of India conducted two excavations and discovered the walls of the fort, two large wells, many sculptures and vessels. Most of the artefacts are kept in a museum near the fort.
6. Buxa Fort, Alipurduar
Buxa Fort is an ancient fort located within the Buxa National Park, about 30 km from the district headquarters of Alipurduar. Historically important because experts believe it was used to protect the Silk Route from invaders. It served as a trading center and prison fort in the past.
It is not known exactly when the Buxa fort was built, but it was a link between the kings of Bhutan and the kings of Cooch Behar before the British officially took over the fort in 1865 as part of the Treaty of Sinchula. The fort was earlier made of bamboo. The British converted it into a stone fort. The fort was later used as a high security prison and detention camp until the 1930s. It was the most notorious and inaccessible prison in British India after the Andaman Cellular Jail.
Distance from Kolkata is: 735 km
For Adventure Lovers:
Between Jainti and Lepcheka on the West Bengal-Bhutan border within Buxa National Park is Buxa Fort with an average elevation of: 660 m to 850 m. Jainthi, the fort is about 15 km from the lodge point. The trail has an easy slope till the last 5 km, where the trail is steep. Bhutan on the right side of the trail. Pomsi Peak will mesmerize you on the way.
Apart from the above 6 forts, remains of several other forts have been found which we do not have sufficient details of at present. So for the time being, we are concluding with six only.