Roshanara Club
was originally laid out as the Garden Tomb for Begum Roshanara, the
younger daughter of Moghul Emperor Shahjahan. As per history records
the Eco Transformation centre for environment and rural uplift, the
tale of destruction began about 100 years ago, when the Delhi Ambala
Railway line sliced off the northwestern periphery of the garden.
The study found
that in 1912, the original formal design was obscured by the winding
paths. Ten years later the British and the emerging Indian elite setting
down in Civil lines, joined hands to form Roshanara Club on the western
side of the garden.
Roshanara Club Limited
was founded in 1922 on the Roshanara Gardens. The founder members, among
others were Rai Sahib Sultan Singh, Rai Bahadur Soba Singh, R.B. Madho
Prashad, Lal Ram Kishore and then elite of the British Empire. It is
the oldest Club in Delhi and all over India, established by the then
Royal and regal and the eminent personalities of that time.
All the Viceroys,
Governor General and after Independence Mr. Jawahar Lal Nehru, Dr. Rajender
Parshad, Dr. Zakir Hussain, Mr. V.V. Giri and all then Chief Commissioners
and Lt.Governors of Delhi paid visits to the Club.
Everything about
the Club has a regal air. Roshanara Gardens has Moghul Sultanat like
Nishat and Dilshad
Garden.
This Club has an
area of about 22 acres of land, all lush green, with old trees of Sheesham,
Jamun, Mango, Peepal, Gulmohar, Palm and Narangi and other leafy trees
giving the Club a look of Mini forest type.
Roshanara Club is
more famous for Cricket Board which was held in front of an old fire
place in Roshanara Club one winter evening. All present were strongly
in favor of formation of a Board of Control of Cricket in India. Most
keen were (Arthur) Gilliagan who gave great encouragement and pleaded
the case to Lords. Later some well-placed personalities like: Maharaja
Bhupinder Singh of Patiala, R.E.Grant Goven, Gilliagan and A.S.Demello
pioneered the Concept.
A trophy showcase
located in the lobby of the Club gave an idea of Cricket Museum. The
tradition of uplifting the cricket game is bring maintained still. Coaching
of cricket is being conducted for the young boys, under eminent coaches.
Matches are still being played. Had Roshanara Club not been located
in the interiors of Old Delhi, it would have continued to be the home
of Indian Cricket in Delhi.
Famous cricketers
like Jack Hobbs, S.H.Sutchiffe, Frank worrel, Jack Living Stone, Fillip
Maker, Richard Attenborugh, and the Mountbatens had walked on the rich
turf of Roshanara Club.
At present approximately
3000 members are on the rolls of the Club.
The Club is a social
one and holds all the programmes like Diwali, Xmas, Independence Day,
New Year etc. Yet great emphasis is placed on sports. Following are
the activities available to the members, their families and guests:
-
Swimming Pool
Tennis
Squash
Table-Tennis
Badminton
Cricket
Billiards
Card-Room
Gymnasium
Library
Bar
Kitchen -both continental & Indian
Our Club is affiliated
with over 36 Clubs spread all over India & one out of India. At
present the Club fee is Rs.2 Lacs for ordinary members and Rs.5 Lacs
for Life Members. Corporate Membership is also available for Rs. 6 Lacs
for two members of the Company.
The sky scraping
trees and old building of Roshanara had strolls in the fragrance filled
flowery, gardens and lush greeneries of Roshanara Gardens. One upon
a time and that is what it still holds on…