Introduction
Bengal, though more famous for its palaces, rajbaris, and colonial mansions, also has a significant legacy of forts and fortifications. Unlike the desert forts of Rajasthan or the massive hill forts of Central India, Bengal’s forts were largely riverine, coastal, and strategic trade defenses. They were built by Mughal governors, Nawabs of Bengal, European trading powers (Portuguese, Dutch, French, British), and local rulers.
Most of these forts combined Islamic, Mughal, and European styles, often designed to guard rivers, ports, or administrative capitals. Today, many survive as museums, army installations, or ruins, yet they remain important symbols of Bengal’s role in trade, warfare, and colonial encounters.
List of Prominent Forts of Bengal
West Bengal
- Fort William (Kolkata) – Built by the British East India Company (first in 1696, rebuilt in 1757 after Plassey); still an active military base of the Indian Army.
- Munger Fort (historically Bengal Presidency, now Bihar) – Stronghold on the Ganga, linked to Mir Qasim, Nawab of Bengal.
- Murshidabad Fortifications – Remnants of Nawabi defenses around Hazarduari Palace and Kila Nizamat complex.
- Tamluk Fort (Medinipur) – Strategic fortification used during medieval and colonial periods, now in ruins.
- Hooghly Fort (Chinsurah region) – Dutch-built defenses later modified by the British; controlled river trade.
Bangladesh (Historic Bengal)
- Lalbagh Fort (Dhaka) – An incomplete Mughal fort built by Prince Azam in 1678; includes palaces, mosques, and gardens.
- Idrakpur Fort (Munshiganj) – A 17th-century Mughal river fort built by Mir Jumla II to defend against pirates.
- Sonakanda Fort (Narayanganj) – Mughal river fort with bastions guarding the Shitalakshya river.
- Hajiganj Fort (Narayanganj) – Similar Mughal-era defense structure, part of a river fort network.
- Jessor Fort (Jessore) – Historical stronghold associated with zamindars and Mughal defenses.
- Chandraketugarh Fort (North 24 Parganas, archaeological site) – Ancient fort ruins dating back to the Maurya–Gupta period, showing Bengal’s very early urban defenses.
Closing Note
The forts of Bengal may not be as towering as those of Rajasthan or Karnataka, but they are crucial to understanding the region’s geopolitical and military history. From the Mughal river forts of Dhaka and Narayanganj to the European bastion of Fort William in Kolkata, they reflect Bengal’s role as a strategic hub of trade, culture, and power struggles. For travelers and historians, these forts offer both architectural insights and stories of Bengal’s shifting fortunes over centuries