In the crowded heart of Dehradun city stands a sprawling and graceful building, a heritage of the valley that reminds of the times when the city was a favourite of the Britishers, along with Mussoorie. The city of Dehra is becoming unrecognisable as many of its landmarks have vanished. But once you enter the old Dehra Dun Club (known as Doon Club when it was created), you can easily forget all the dramatic changes Doon has seen in the last ten years.
The month of February is special for this institution as it was in February 1901 that Doon Club was incorporated as the Dehra Dun Club limited. Following this, the Club purchased the land on which it now stands (then known as Rangers Court Estate) on New Survey Road for a sum of Rs 18,200 via a sale deed dated 15.03.1903.
like the magnificent old colonial buildings of the Forest Research Institute, Indian Military Academy, the Doon School and the RIMC, this historic club is also a wonderful reminder of Dehradun's glorious past as a serene and picturesque city of "grey heads and green hedges."
The club, one of the oldest clubs in the country, has definitely not followed the pace of a fast changing city. Clichéd though it may sound, time has actually stood still in the beautiful gardens, imposing corridors, spacious halls and rooms of the club. Till 1903, the club was housed, since its inception in 1878, in Col Young's bungalow on Rajpur Road. Today, the well-known school, St. Joseph's Academy, stands there.
Mornings are only for the odd visitor wishing to enjoy the winter sun with coffee and pakoras, chatting with friends in the charming verandahs or lawns of the club. Or for a quiet business meeting with a client. Or some keen readers who love to visit the library at this quiet hour of the day.
The main clubhouse was built in 1903-04 under the supervision of Col R H Philimore of the Survey of India who resided in the club, writing the history of his department. During the British Raj, the Doon Club functioned as an "island" with intimate colonial relations prevailing within its walls. It was Col Kunwar Shamsher Bahadur Singh who, with the help of the then District Magistrate of Dehradun BD Sanwal, filed a case against the decision of the British to close the club before leaving India in 1947. He won the case and in 1950, became the first Indian president of the club, unanimously elected. Shamsher Bahadur Singh was the son of Raja lal Singh, the exile from the lahore darbar.
The Club's main events are the Independence Eve Ball, Dussehra fete, Diwali celebrations , Christmas carnival, New Year's Eve dance, founder's celebrations in February and the May Queen Ball.
Among the specialities the club serves are Shami Kebabs, Aloo Chaat, Peanut Chaat and fish fingers. Not to forget the crispy pakoras and mouth-watering paneer tikkas!. The club's famous "Zeher" (tangy sweetlime with a dash of chaat masala) tastes heavenly. Everyone in Doon must have tasted it at least once! The club even has its own soda bottling unit and ice factory.
The Club occupies a total land area of 23,378 sq. metres of which 4,688.50 sq metres is covered area, the rest being open space. There are two spacious lawns studded with a hundred trees, one main clubhouse and two residential blocks, a large parquet wooden dancing floor, meeting hall, rummy rooms a Bridge room, a Billiards Room, a covered Squash court, two indoor badminton halls, two tennis courts, a swimming pool, a skating rink, a well-equipped gymnasium, a dining hall and two refurbished bars.
The dining room, the family lounge, the card rooms, the Billiards room and the library are brimming with people in the evenings. The Club authorities have striven to maintain the "heritage look" of the club, taking pains to ensure that all repair and renovation is in harmony with the original décor. Dark green, all hues of brown and maroon are the three major colours that can be seen in the furniture and accessories. A variety of needs and interests of the members have been kept in mind while retaining the "old world charm". And this is no mean achievement in a world where change seems to be the only constant.
Whatever may be the changes the city or the club have undergone, it is a fact that as the evening shadows lengthen and the sun begins to retire, members of the club, along with enthusiastic friends, head for the familiar and comforting haven which the Dehra Dun Club is.