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In the latest step toward eliminating colonial practices and mindsets within the armed forces, Fort William in Kolkata, the headquarters of the Eastern Army Command, has been renamed Vijay Durg. Additionally, Kitchener House inside Fort William has been renamed Manekshaw House, and South gate, formerly known as St. George’s Gate, is now Shivaji Gate.
Fort William, named after King William III of England, was constructed by the British in 1781. The new name, Vijay Durg, is derived from the oldest fort along the Sindhudurg coast in Maharashtra and served as a naval base for the Marathas under Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Note:
In September 2022, the Navy adopted a new naval ensign that moves away from its colonial past, featuring a new octagonal design inspired by the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
Measures taken include replacing musical tunes played during the Beating Retreat ceremony with Indian compositions and reviewing various ceremonial practices and attire.
At the Joint Commanders’ Conference in Lucknow in September 2024, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had released a publication on ‘Colonial Practises and the Armed Forces – A Review’.
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