the fort was built by the british to defend their trading interests in calcutta. during hostilities in 1756, the fort was captured by the army of the nawab of bengal on 20 june. john zephaniah holwell, a british eyewitness, reported that those taken in the capture of the fort, numbering 146, were confined to the dungeon, and that only 23 survived. the story was told by john zephaniah holwell, a survivor. however, 146 people could not have fit in a room of 24 x 18 feet. today most concede that holwell greatly exaggerated the number of captives.