In a significant move to eliminate colonial practices and mindsets within the armed forces, the Eastern Army Command headquarters in Kolkata, formerly known as Fort William, has been renamed Vijay Durg.
Key Highlights
- Fort William → Vijay Durg
- Originally named after King William III of England, Fort William was constructed by the British in 1781.
- The new name, Vijay Durg, is inspired by the oldest fort along the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra, which served as a naval base for the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji.
- Kitchener House → Manekshaw House
- Formerly named after Lord Kitchener, a British military leader, the house now honors Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, India’s first Field Marshal.
- St. George’s Gate → Shivaji Gate
- The South Gate of the fort has been renamed in honor of Chhatrapati Shivaji, a symbol of Indian military resilience and strategy.
