Kasauli Club

Located in the Indian Army cantonment, Kasauli Club was established by civilians and service personnel in 1880.

It sits on the Upper Mall i.e. at a height of 6142 feet and known as one of the most prestigious social clubs in the country. It is managed by the Indian Army Personnel- Club Secretary. In the year 2001, there occurred a fire due to the malfunctioning of an electric component, which burnt down the entire club. Antique furniture, elegant cushioned sofas and beautifully crafted Roman table with chairs are the key features of the club. The boundary is marked with wine-racks that are used to hold the best wines.

By and by in the year 1898, the club was registered at Office of the Registrar in Lahore. During this time, only men were allowed to stay while women were allowed to reside during winters if there were any vacancies. The club features three lively cozy bars, comfortable lounge, library, billiards, ballroom, and a spacious dining room. The Club also includes six tennis courts that were rolled and marked before the play begins. A leveled shelf is offered as a grand stand above the courts to provide a pleasant view of the match with a cup of tea.

There are few rules that should be followed while playing Lawn Tennis. It is strictly allowed to be played in tennis shoes and one who found breaking the rules was fined heavily. The annual tennis tournaments in this Club attracted players from Laore, Delhi, Ferozepur, Bombay and Kolkata. In the year 1922, the first 'Kasauli Week' at the Club (8th to 15th June) had programs comprising a tennis tournament for the handicapped. The tournament and programs include ladies and men's singles, doubles and mixed double matches; dinner dances with bands in attendance and lantern picnics and evening theatricals and concerts.

Foundation of Kasauli Club Kasauli Club was set up as the 'Kasauli Reading' and 'Assembly Rooms' by a group of Englishmen. Then in the year 1897 on May 7, the name was changed to Kasauli Club. Meakin, the biggest club's shareholder concurred to allow the premises a committee of management having officers and civil servants in the cantonment as its members.

Very soon Kasauli Club became a centre for social meetings, cordial living and sports. It laid down reputes for good drink, good food, a chic social circle, and last but not the least a tradition that still continues. Someone can only become a temporary member and avail its sports facilities instead taking part in other social activities. The club was recognized not only by the prominence of its membership but also by the high standard of activities and social charms over a century.

Recently, the committee has recently offered an important facelift to the Kasauli Club. Antique pictures and paintings are yet restored to maintain the feel of days passed by. In fact, the antique furniture has been also restored by the army.

Members of Kasauli Club The Kasauli Club has eminent scholars and scientists, administrators, businessmen, educationists and legal professionals as its members. Colonel Sir Richard Christopher (FRS, IMS, and a former director of the CRI, Kasauli), Brigadier General Dyer and Mr. Meakin (of the Kasauli Distillery and Solan Brewery fame), Major General M.S.Chopra (Commandant of the ASPT and later ambassador to the Philippines), Colonel J.A Sinton (Victoria Cross), Sir Maurice Gwyer (IMS, a former Chief Justice of India and V,C, of Delhi University), Sir Fredric Gauntlet (Foreign and Political Department) Barnes (the fifth Bishop at Lahore), Sir David Semple (the first director of the Pasteur Institute and the CRI), and many other celebrities from Indian Civil Services and Defense Services were its members. Recently, around 400 men from the bureaucracy and the armed forces are the members of the club. The Station Commander of Kasauli is the chairman of the club and their tradition is there since the past few decades.

Events in Kasauli Club The Club elicits the memories of early days of splendour. It hosts 'Kasauli Night', which is an event and excellent affair, held every year in the last week of June. In this event, there is a contest namely 'The Kasauli Queen', which draws huge crowd from all across the globe. It's a feast of dance, music and gaiety. It is one of the main events for the club with members visiting here from all over the world.