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The Beginning
The earliest records state that in 1728 George Pomfret was authorised by the Grand Lodge of England to open a new Lodge in Bengal. The earliest Lodge in South India was later established in 1752. Lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland duly followed and Freemasonry spread across the entire subcontinent.
The honor of receiving Freemasonry first in India goes to Calcutta. In 1730, officers of the East Indian Company held their meetings in Fort William, Calcutta. The number given to the Lodge was 72.
The first Lodge in Madras was # 222 EC, in 1752, and it does not appear to have received a name.
The first Lodge in Bombay was Bombay Lodge # 234 EC in 1758.
The first Lodge in Punjab was Lodge # 489 EC, in 1786.
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The Catalysts
There were two competing Grand Lodges in England [Ancients and Moderns]. In as much as numerous Lodges had been constituted in India by the Moderns while others had come into existence under Ancient auspices, quite naturally much of the Ritualistic differences established themselves into the respective Lodges. This situation was complicated somewhat by the fact that there were also Lodges in India of Irish & Scottish origins. However, it was in India, where both the warring groups joined together in harmony long before the formation of the Union of England. In 1785, the Atholl Lodge at Madras surrendered its power and accepted the United Provident Grand Lodge. The old Atholl Lodge was recoded as Lodge of Perfect Unanimity [later numbered as # 150]. Madras had thus stolen a march of 27 years over the United Grand Lodge of England, which was formed in 1813.
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The List of Honour
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The first Indian Mason was Omdat-ul-Omrah, the Nawab of Carnatic.
The second Indian Mason was M. Bandeh Ali Khan, initiated in Marine Lodge, Calcutta in 1812.
The first Hindu to be admitted into Freemasonry was Bro. Ranganath Sastry in Lodge Perfect Unanimity #233, Madras in 1857.
The earliest Sikh to be made a mason was Bro. Duleep Sing in Lodge Star in the East in 1861.
In Bengal, the bye-law # 55 of the PGL (EC) prevented Indians from being admitted into Freemasonry. Ultimately the first Hindu to be admitted in Bengal was Bro. P.C.Dutt in 1872, that too after very many "black - balling" and nine years of persistent appeals.
The oldest building used as a Masonic Temple in India is the Goshamahal Baradari, Hyderabad, built in 1682 by Sultan Abul Hassan Tanasha.
Some of the prominent Indians who were Freemasons were Swamy Vivekananda (initiated in 1884 as Bro.
Narendra Nath Dutt in Lodge Anchor & Hope, Calcutta).
Motilal Nehru - Lodge Harmony, Kanpur (Father of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru).
C. Rajagopalachary (Governor General of India).
Sir C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer (Divan of Travancore).
Dr. P.V.Cheriyan (Governor of Maharashtra).
Fakruddin Ali Ahmed (President of India).
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The World Connection
The foreign constitutions whose Lodges functioned in India were Dutch Constitution - Lodge Solomon was founded on April 7, 1758 at Tandelga near Chinsurah in Bengal by the commander of the merchant fleet of the Netherlands East India Company, Bro. Jacob Larwood Van Chevichaven.
French Constitution - Lodge Sincere Amite, Pondicherry was chartered in 1787. There were quite a few Naval Lodges. Though Naval Lodges were not recognized by the Grand Lodge of France, the members of the Naval Lodge in due course found their way to get affiliated to and remain under the protection of a stationary Lodge.
Scottish Constitution - The first Lodge under the Scottish Constitution was consecrated in the Indian subcontinent in the year 1801 in Ceylon (Sri Lanka). One Lodge Hope # 334 Sc, Karachi was charted in 1767; in 1770 it was shifted to New Castle and in 1782 to New York. The date of its arrival in India cannot at present be stated. Lodge Hope was charted by the PGM of Western India on April 25,1842.
Danish Constitution -Introduced in Tranquebar (near Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu) in 1805. The Danish colony at Tranquebar was fairly numerously populated by Danes. Due to the efforts of one Bro. Ewald a warrant was granted for a Lodge at Tranquebar in 1807 by the National Grand Lodge of Denmark. The name of the Lodge was "De Lamoure Fraternelle" (to Brotherly Love).
Irish Constitution - The Light of the North #357 at Kurnaul (now Karnal) in 1835. This Lodge survived for three years only. The next was Lodge Duke of Abercon # 382 IC, in Calcutta in 1905.
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Formation of the Grand Lodge of India (GLI)
1947 the idea was first mooted to form a Grand Lodge of India. A referendum held in 1948, seeking the opinion of all the Lodges in India, found that the proposal had little support. In 1960 however, the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland and Ireland readily conceded to the need of the formation of a sovereign Grand Lodge of India, as was the wish of many masons for the rapid promotion and development for Freemasonry in the Country. A steering committee of eminent masons worked out the modalities, the most important fact being that in the matter of a shift in allegiance, the wishes of the brethren of each Lodge in India would have to be respected.
A referendum by ballot was held whereby each Lodge decided whether to join the new Grand Lodge or remain with its parent constitution. In view of this, the three parent Grand Lodges gave an undertaking that only the new Grand Lodge after its formation would henceforth consecrate new lodges. However it was understood that there would be no pressure on the lodges under the parent Constitutions to change their allegiance in the future and that the brethren would continue to enjoy the right of being members of Lodges under their parent Grand Lodges, as well as the new Grand Lodge.
A Concordat to this effect was solemnly signed by the three parent Grand Lodges and the new Grand Lodge of India, after its consecration on the 24th of November 1961.
The Concordat duly signed enabled the Brethren in India to enjoy a privileged relationship for 31 years. The rights of all Brethren to dual membership of Indian and Foreign Lodges, had its beneficial effect in promoting brotherly love and unity among Freemasons in India.
In July 1992 the Grand Lodge of India unilaterally resolved to change its constitution against good advice from many of it's senior brethren, effectively prohibiting its members from dual membership with the parent Grand Lodges and thereby, breaking the Concordat of 1961. This resulted in the derecognition of the Grand Lodge of India by the three Parent Grand Lodges.
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The Essential Qualification For Membership
The essential qualification for admission into and continuing membership is a belief in a Supreme Being. Membership is open to men of any race or religion who can fulfill this essential qualification and are of good repute.
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The Three Great Principles
For many years Freemasons have followed three great principles: Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
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Freemasonry and Religion
Basic Statement
Freemasonry is not a religion, nor is it a substitute for religion. It demands of its members a belief in a Supreme Being but provides no system of faith of its own.
Freemasonry is open to men of all religious faiths. The discussion of religion at its meetings is forbidden.
The Supreme Being
The names used for the Supreme Being enable men of different faiths to join in prayer (to God as each sees Him) without the terms of prayer causing dissension among them.
There is no separate Masonic God; a Freemason's God remains the God of the religion he professes.
Freemasons meet in common respect for the Supreme Being, as he remains Supreme in their individual religions, and it is no part of Freemasonry to attempt to join religions together. There is therefore no composite Masonic God.
Volume of the Sacred Law
The Bhagavad Gita, The Bible, The Quran, The Granth and The Zend Avesta referred to by Freemasons as the Volume of the Sacred Law, are always open at every Masonic meeting.
The obligations of Freemasonry
The obligations taken by Freemasons are sworn on or involve the Volumes of the Sacred Law or the books held sacred by those concerned. They undertake to help keep secret, a Freemason's means of recognition, and to follow principles of Freemasonry. The physical penalties which are purely symbolic do not form part of an Obligation. The commitment to follow the principles of Freemasonry is, however deep.
Freemasonry compared with Religion
Freemasonry lacks the basic elements of religion:
 | It has no theological doctrine, and by forbidding religious discussion at its meetings, it will not allow a Masonic theological doctrine to develop. |
| It offers no sacraments. |
| It does not claim to lead to salvation by works, by secret knowledge or by any other means. The secrets of Freemasonry are concerned with modes of recognition and not with salvation. |
Freemasonry supports Religion
Freemasonry is far from indifferent to religion. Without interfering in religious practice it expects each member to follow his own faith, and to place above all other duties his duty to God by whatever name He is known. Its moral teachings are acceptable to all religions.
Freemasonry is thus a supporter of religion.
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Freemasonry and Charity
From its earliest days, Freemasonry has been concerned with the care of orphans, the sick and the aged. This work continues today. In addition, large sums are given to national and local charity.
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Freemasonry and Politics
Freemasonry is non-political, and the discussion of politics at Masonic meetings is forbidden.
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Freemasonry and Society
This is intended to expand on the topic "What is Freemasonry". It explains the Grand Lodge of South India's views on Freemasonry and Society.
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Freemasonry's External Relations
(The Grand Lodge of South India's relations with other Masonic bodies)
Introduction
This explains the Grand Lodge of South India's relations with other Masonic bodies.
Freemasonry is practised under many independent Grand Lodges with principles or standards similar to those set by the United Grand Lodge of England, which was the first Grand Lodge in the world, throughout its history. The Grand Lodge of South India follows its example.
Standards
To be recognised as regular by The United Grand Lodge of England, a Grand Lodge must meet the following standards. The Grand Lodge of South India adopts the same principles.
| It must have been lawfully established by a regular Grand Lodge or by three or more private Lodges, each warranted by a regular Grand Lodge. |
| It must be truly independent and self-governing, with undisputed authority over Craft-or-basic Freemasonry (i.e. the symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason) within its jurisdiction, and not subject in any other way to or sharing power with any other Masonic body. |
| Freemasons under its jurisdiction must be men, and its Lodges must have no Masonic contact with Lodges which admit women to membership. |
| Freemasons under its jurisdiction must take their obligations on or in full view of the Volumes of the Sacred Law (i.e., the Bible) or the book held sacred by the man concerned. |
| The three Great Lights of Freemasonry (i.e. the Volume of the Sacred Law, the Square and the Compasses) must be on display when the Grand Lodge or its Subordinate Lodges are open. |
| The discussion of religion and politics within its Lodges must be prohibited. |
| It must adhere to the established principles and tenets (the 'Ancient Landmarks') and customs of the Craft, and insist on their being observed within its Lodges. |
Irregular or unrecognised Grand Lodges
There are some self-styled masonic bodies which do not meet these standards, e.g. which do not require a belief in a Supreme Being, or which allow or encourage their members to participate as such in political matters. These bodies are not recognised by the Grand Lodge of South India as being Masonically regular, and Masonic contact with them is forbidden.
Conclusion
A Freemason is encouraged to do his duty first to his God (by whatever name he is known) through his faith and religious practice; and then, without detriment to his family and those dependant on him, to his neighbour through charity and service.
None of these ideas is exclusively Masonic, but all should be universally acceptable. Freemasons are expected to follow them.
Note
Brethren are to note that they should not make any Masonic contacts with Masons of other Jurisdictions without having ascertained from the Grand Secretary the existence of Regular Masonry in the country concerned, and the address to which Masonic enquiries should be directed.
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