Freemasonry in India traces its roots back to 1728. Within 12 years of formalizing the organization in England (1717), permission for a Provincial Grand Lodge in Calcutta was approved. A Grand Master was also elected to oversee the expansion of the fraternity in the subcontinent.
A petition was presented on December 28, 1728 which read:-
Deputation from the Grand Master: to Empower and Authorize our well beloved Brother (George) Pomfret.that he do, in our place and stead, constitute a regular Lodge, in due form at Fort William in Bengal in the East Indies
Signed and sealed the 6th day of February 1728/9
Lodge number 72 was located at Fort William - Calcutta and was the first lodge in India. Captain Ralph Farwinter was appointed “Provisional Grand Master for East India in Bengal... Read More
Half Yearly Meeting of RGLEI
07 & 08 Aug 2026 at Darjeeling
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Freemasonry is one of the world's oldest secular fraternal societies, based on the principle of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man. Its members are taught its precepts by series of ritual which follow ancient forms and use stone masons' customs and tools and allegorical guides.
Find Out MoreFreemasonry in India
Within 12 years of the constitution of the Grand Lodge of England, a petition was sent by a few Brethren in India to constitute a Provincial Grand Lodge in Calcutta. The Petition having been granted, a Provincial Grand Master was appointed to supervise Masonic activity in India and the Far East in 1728 A.D.
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Are You A Mason
Do your believe that you have a responsibility to leave the world a better place than you found it? Masonry teaches that each man has a duty not only to himself but also to others. We must do what we can to make the world a better place. The world should be a better place because we have passed through it.
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THE FREEMASONS HALL
A Heritage Building
The Freemasons Hall is located on 19 Park Street right in the middle of Park Hotel and Karnani Mansion. The nearly 2 acre property was acquired by W.R. Burkitt, the then chief justice of Calcutta High Court in 1903 for Rs. 1,45,000. The property originally belonged to an Armenian businessperson J.C. Galstaun. The property was put under the Bengal Freemasons Trust Association. The building houses The Bengal Freemasons Trust Association, Freemasons Hall, District Grand Lodge of Bengal, Bengal Masonic Association, and Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India; a polyclinic and Montessori school.
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MASONIC TEMPLES
From Asansol to Varanasi, there are 16 Masonic Temples in the Region of Eastern India, where Masonic brethren hold their meetings.
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MAGAZINE
The Square And Compasses is the monthly publication published by the Grand Lodge of India, featuring news, events, and articles
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MEETING CALENDAR
An annual schedule of meetings of Craft Lodges in our Region of Eastern India. A valuable reference for Masons visiting our Region.
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