Deesa is situated on the banks of the river Banas. Deesa was Estate and Thana ruled by the Mandori ( Jalori ) Dynasty. Today original Deesa Known as Juna Deesa. Deesa was also recognized as Camp Deesa, as it was under the rule of Diwan of Palanpur. In 1813, disturbances arose in the Deesa area. Tribal communities like the Bhils and other Rajputs started harassing the local people. From 1829 to 1901, Deesa was a British military Cantonment with a resident Catholic chaplain and a chapel. The British cantonment named Deesa Field Brigade was built in the middle of Rajasthan and Palanpur to maintain and protect the regions between Abu and Kutch from dacoits. It also provided security to the eastern part that accommodated the Bhilad localities that are now known as New Deesa.
Troops stationed at Deesa were to monitor and control the activities of Sardars (leaders) of dacoits between the Abu and Kutchch regions. The agency was given the special duty of protecting the forest and the residents from the harassment of other tribal communities such as the Khosa, Bhil and Daferas. They also provided security to the north Gujarat residents from these tribal conflicts. With the intention of keeping the local people safe, the British cantonment was formed and the British army established many army barracks in this region
