Annandale Ground

Annandale Ground is a historic flat valley bottom in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, located approximately 3 km from The Ridge and 2 km from Shimla Railway Station. Originally known as Company Ka Baag during the British Raj, it served as a social hub for polo, cricket, and fairs in the 1830s. Today managed by the Indian Army, it houses the Army Heritage Museum, a nine-hole golf course, and a helipad, offering a serene open landscape surrounded by deodar trees.

Visitors can explore the Army Heritage Museum, which displays military history, weapons, uniforms, and a VR shooting experience. The site features a flat, open meadow ringed by tall deodar trees, providing a contrast to Shimla's steep terrain. A nine-hole golf course and helipad are visible but restricted as active Army territory. Facilities include a small cafe, washrooms, and drinking water. Photography is prohibited inside the museum and restricted near military infrastructure.

Dating back to the early 1830s, Annandale was the primary social and recreational ground for British officers in Shimla, hosting polo championships, fancy fairs, and the first Durand Football Tournament in 1888. Originally called Company Ka Baag, it was handed over to the Indian Army after independence in 1947, which has preserved its heritage and established the Army Heritage Museum in 2006.

The ground serves as a venue for occasional military parades, ceremonial gatherings, and cultural festivals like Dussehra. It houses the Army Heritage Museum, preserving India's military legacy, and functions as Shimla's official helipad for VIP arrivals and emergency services, integrating historical memory with contemporary civic utility.