What is the history of Freemasonry in India?
Freemasonry was introduced into India by George Pomfret, who opened a lodge in Bengal. This marked the beginning of a rapid expansion of Freemasonry in the region, with over fifty lodges established within a few years, particularly in Bengal. The annual contributions to charity from these lodges were significant, reflecting the active participation of the East India Company members in Masonic activities.
In 1777, the initiation of Omdit-ul-Omrah Bahauder, the eldest son of the nabob of the Carnatic, into Freemasonry was a notable event. The Grand Lodge in England sent him a congratulatory letter along with a blue apron and a copy of the Book of Constitutions, which he acknowledged with a warm letter expressing his attachment to the Masonic fraternity. This event was pivotal in promoting the growth of Freemasonry in India, as it encouraged other local elites to join the institution.
However, the history of Freemasonry in India was also marked by challenges, particularly regarding the inclusion of non-Christians in Masonic lodges. Initially, there was reluctance among colonial Freemasons to allow natives to join, which only changed following directives from London. This reluctance fostered a preference for Christian orders within Freemasonry, as it was believed that only Christians could fully appreciate its glories.
By the late Victorian period, Freemasonry had established itself as a significant social institution in India, reflecting broader trends in British society. The Prince of Wales became Grand Master in 1874, symbolizing the integration of Freemasonry into the fabric of British imperial culture.