Gymkhana clubs originated as gentlemen's clubs in the British Raj, for their officers and administrators. Over time, they began allowing members of the local upper classes. Eventually, native gymkhana clubs sprang up, often restricted to a specific community.

Today, gymkhana clubs have largely moved on from their colonial and parochial roots. Some are gymkhanas purely in name, retaining either the social or the sports aspect. However, most still retain their original purpose of a social club with sporting facilities, or vice versa.

Another branch of gymkhanas focused on the equestrian aspect of the format. These are events where riders display a variety of skills on horseback. Which further evolved into a motorsport, known variously as motor-khana, motokhana, motor gymkhana, autokhana, bikekhana, and other terms.

The etymology of the word 'gymkhana' is debated, and is derived from either gend-khana or jamat-khana. The first halves are from Hindustani: gend (ball in Hindi) or (jamat - gathering in Urdu). This was anglicised to gym, a linguistic corruption inspired by "gymnasium". The word khana is of Farsi origin, and means "house".

Gymkhana clubs are most commonly found where they originated: India and Pakistan, and less in other parts of the subcontinent. But they have also been seen in other former British colonies in Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

The gymkhana clubs listed here have one feature in common: clubs with the word "gymkhana" in the name. All of these have (or had) an element of membership, even if some facilities are open to the public. Additionally, a large number of these no longer exist. They've either been merged into other clubs, renamed to reflect changes, or repurposed as other facilities. In many instances, they simply ceased to be.