Origin of Freemasonry
The origin of freemasonry is derived from the guilds of stone masons who constructed the beautiful cathedrals and other stately edifices in Europe during the middle ages. Their architectural genius and skill had universal appreciation and the commitment of these craftsmen to the highest standards of moral and ethical values was greatly admired. Therefore, unlike other class of people, they were allowed to travel freely from one country to another. During this period itself a prefix "Free" was applied to the word 'Mason' and the generations of these masons who followed, were referred to as freemasons.
Until about sixteenth century, the unions of these masons strictly comprised of operative craft-stone masons and the architects who used to build the magnificient cathedrals and palaces. However, early in seventeenth century, there was a gradual decline of membership in these operating Lodges of masons. Hence, they began to admit certain men of prominence who were not craftsman or stone masons. This class of members who were, in the beginning, considered to be the Patrons of the fraternity, over the years became known as "Accepted Masons". By the end of seventeenth century, there was a significant transformation and these accepted masons had become predominant and the freemasons Lodges began to follow and teach moral philosophy rather than the technical and operative art of earlier times. The tools of freemasons were being used but to symbolize moral virtue and not to build cathedrals. This tradition still continues in freemasonry.
Grand Lodges: Possible to strengthen and preserve themselves, the masonic lodges in London came together to form a Grand Lodge. The constitution was adopted in 1723. In 1725 a Grand Lodge was formed in Ireland and in 1736 in Scotland. Some rivalry was faced by Grand Lodge of England particularly in eighteenth century when it had three rival Grand Lodges, two of which died out. But the third one which called itself the Ancient Grand Lodge played a major part in the spread of and popularizing of masonry throughout the world. The two surviving Grand Lodges finally united in 1813 into the present United Grand Lodge of England. Thus, all the Grand Lodges of the world are descended from the Grand Lodge of England or from those of Ireland or Scotland.
Sometime between 1718 and 1725 masonry was established in France. The first Lodge in Spain was established in 1728, in Calcutta in 1728, in Prague in 1729 and in Naples in 1731. Masonry arrived in Poland in 1734 and in Sweden in 1735.
Freemasonry in India
For the purpose of exercising supervision over the Lodges, a petition was sent to the Grand Lodge of England by their 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. The Lodge at Fort William i.e. at Calcutta appears in the Engraved List of 1730 as No. 72. In 1729, Captain Ralph Farwinter was appointed 'Provincial Grand Master of East India in Bengal' and also James Dawson as 'Provincial Grand Master' of East Indies. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Madras was formed in 1752. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Bombay was created in 1758. The first Indian mason was Omdat-ul-Omrah, the Nawab of Carnatic, initiated in 1775. The second Indian mason was M. Bandeh Ali Khan, initiated in Marine Lodge Calcutta in 1812.
Grand Lodge of India: Towards the end of October 1959, the M.Wor. Grand Master of Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland felt the need for an independent Grand Lodge of India for information and guidance of Lodges in India and a proposal was made adding that if brethren in India decided in favour of an Independent Grand Lodge, they would accept the decision. Out of 277 individual Lodges in India (Excluding Pakistan, Ceylon and Aden, which were excluded for the poll) 145 opted for new Grand Lodge of India. On Friday, the 24th November 1961 at 10 minutes to six o' clock the Grand Lodge of India was officially constituted in the Ashoka Hotel, New Delhi. There were three delegations from the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Ireland and England in that order. Major General Dr. Sir Syed Raza Ali Khan, His Highness, The Nawab of Rampur was installed as the first Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India.
If you want more information about masonic movement in India log on to www.masonindia.org
