The command House Jaipur, as it looks now

The Command House Jaipur has a chequered history. Initially built as one of the many hunting lodges of the Maharaja of Jaipur it was later used as a residence and Officers Mess before being transformed to its present status as the Command Flag Staff House.

It was constructed some time in 1890 and the first owner and occupant was Maj Rai Bahadur Dhanpat Rai C.I.E, O.B.I. Sardar Bahadur, CO Jaipur Imperial Service Transport Corps. It is located in the forests of Amanishah Nala with a plinth area of 5850 Sq Ft. This imposing and durable building was constructed in stone masonry in lime mortar and has stood the test of time including the devastating floods of 1981. During the pre-Independence era, the building was used as Officers Mess, Jaipur infantry and later as residence of Commandant Training Centre of Jaipur State Forces and Officers Mess of Jaipur Sawai Man Guards. In 1950, the building was taken over by the Indian Army. Since 1954, it has served as Officers Mess to eight Infantry Battalions and three Signal Groups.

The much-deserved crowning glory for this heritage building came in August 2005, when it was nominated as the Command House of the newly raised South Western Command. The first occupant of the Command House, Lt Gen K Nagaraj, PVSM, UYSM, ADC moved into the house on 15 August 2005. After extensive repairs and modifications it still retains its old character and style. The pictures below are of a party hosted in the KUMAON Officers Mess during period circa 1954-56. 

Maharani Gayatri Devi, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh and Maharaja
of Jam Nagar (closest to the camera) helping themselves.