Freemasonry in India: From Fort William to the Tatas and Nehru Family

Eminent Indian Freemasons

The origins of modern Freemasonry are generally traced to 24 June 1717, when four lodges in London assembled at the Goose and Gridiron Tavern and created the Grand Lodge of England. This event marked the beginning of an organized Masonic structure governed by a constitution and a system of elected leadership. A united constitution was adopted and recognized by all participating lodges. The office of Worshipful Master became elective, introducing a democratic tradition into lodge administration, while the Worshipful Master was empowered to appoint officers to assist in conducting lodge affairs. This framework established a durable institutional model that would spread across the British Empire and beyond.

The establishment of the Grand Lodge coincided with a period of relative stability in Europe following decades of political and religious conflict. As British commercial and imperial influence expanded overseas, Freemasonry followed the routes of trade and administration. India, then emerging as one of the most important regions of British commercial activity, soon became a center of Masonic development.

Within twelve years of the creation of the Grand Lodge of England, brethren residing in India submitted a petition seeking authority to establish a Provincial Grand Lodge in Calcutta, the principal settlement of the East India Company in Bengal. The petition was approved, and in 1728 a Provincial Grand Master was appointed to oversee Masonic activity not only in India but throughout much of the Far East.

The documentary evidence surrounding this event survives in the minutes of the Grand Lodge in London. On 28 December 1728, a petition was presented requesting authority to constitute a regular lodge at Fort William in Bengal. At the conclusion of the proceedings appeared the text of a deputation authorizing “our well-beloved Brother Pomfret” to establish a lodge according to Masonic regulations. The warrant was signed and sealed on 6 February 1728/29, corresponding to the Masonic year 5732. This date remains one of the foundational moments in the history of Indian Freemasonry.

The lodge at Fort William appeared in the engraved list of 1730 as Lodge No. 72. Its place of meeting was Calcutta, then rapidly becoming the administrative and commercial capital of British India. The lodge adopted a coat of arms derived from that of the East India Company, featuring a golden lion supporting a regal crown. In 1729, Captain Ralph Farwinter was appointed Provincial Grand Master for East India in Bengal, while James Dawson assumed responsibility as Provincial Grand Master for the East Indies.

Freemasonry expanded steadily during the eighteenth century. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Madras was established in 1752, followed by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bombay in 1758. These developments reflected the growing importance of the presidency cities and the increasing number of Europeans residing in India. Lodges became centers of social interaction, charitable activity, and intellectual exchange among members of the colonial community.

Detailed records preserved in the minutes of the Grand Lodge in London reveal that a petition was presented on 28 December 1728 seeking authorization for a regular lodge at Fort William, Bengal. At the conclusion of the proceedings appeared a deputation empowering “our well-beloved Brother Pomfret” to establish a lodge in the East Indies. The warrant was signed and sealed on 6 February 1728/29, corresponding to the Masonic year 5732 according to the chronology then employed by the Grand Lodge. The lodge at Fort William appeared in the engraved list of 1730 as Lodge No. 72, meeting in Calcutta and adopting a coat of arms derived from that of the East India Company—a golden lion supporting a regal crown.

In 1729, Captain Ralph Farwinter was appointed Provincial Grand Master for East India in Bengal, while James Dawson became Provincial Grand Master for the East Indies. Expansion followed steadily. The Provincial Grand Lodge of Madras was formed in 1752, and the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bombay in 1758. Freemasonry thus became one of the earliest transregional institutions connecting the presidency cities of British India.

The first recorded Indian Freemason was Omdat-ul-Omrah, Nawab of the Carnatic, who was initiated in 1775. During the nineteenth century, increasing numbers of Indians sought admission. A notable milestone came with P. C. Dutt of Calcutta, whose determination overcame significant resistance. Proposed for initiation and delayed for nearly nine years, he was finally admitted in 1872 into Anchor and Hope Lodge No. 234. By 1895, he had risen to the office of Deputy District Grand Master, symbolizing the gradual opening of Freemasonry to educated Indians during the late colonial period.

Among the most discussed Indian personalities associated with Freemasonry is Vivekananda. Born as Narendranath Datta on 12 January 1863 in Calcutta, he emerged as one of the foremost spiritual figures of modern India. Narendranath Datta was associated with intellectual and reformist circles in colonial Calcutta where Masonic ideals of universal brotherhood were widely discussed. References preserved by Masonic sources in eastern India include his name among notable brethren. His establishment of the Ramakrishna Mission in 1897 at Belur, near Calcutta, created an institution dedicated to education, relief work, and social development—objectives that echoed the Masonic commitment to philanthropy and moral uplift. Vivekananda died on 4 July 1902 at Belur Math.

The Tata family occupies a distinguished place in the history of Indian Freemasonry. Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, born on 3 March 1839 in Navsari, Gujarat, laid the foundations of modern Indian industry. During the late nineteenth century he envisioned industrial and scientific institutions that would strengthen India’s economic independence. His projects included plans for an iron and steel works, hydroelectric power generation, and a national research university. Although he died in Bad Nauheim, Germany, on 19 May 1904, his vision materialized through institutions such as Tata Group, the future city of Jamshedpur, and the Indian Institute of Science. Masonic circles counted several members of the Tata family among their distinguished brethren, notably Sir Dorabji Tata and J. R. D. Tata.

Sir Dorabji Tata, born on 27 August 1859 in Bombay, transformed his father’s industrial dreams into reality. Under his leadership, Tata Steel was established in 1907, and the industrial township of Jamshedpur expanded rapidly. His philanthropy reached education, sports, medicine, and scientific research. Through institutions such as the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, founded in 1932, he created one of India’s most influential charitable foundations. The Masonic ideals of service, benevolence, and civic responsibility found practical expression in his life’s work.

Similarly, J. R. D. Tata, born in Paris on 29 July 1904, became one of the most respected industrial leaders of independent India. He founded Tata Airlines in 1932, which later evolved into Air India. Under his stewardship, the Tata group expanded into engineering, chemicals, hospitality, information technology, and scientific research. Awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992, J. R. D. Tata represented a blend of entrepreneurship, public service, and ethical leadership frequently associated with Masonic culture.

The association of the Nehru family with Freemasonry is represented chiefly by Motilal Nehru rather than his son, Jawaharlal Nehru. Born on 6 May 1861 in Agra, Motilal Nehru became one of the most successful lawyers in northern India and a central figure in the Indian nationalist movement. His residence, Anand Bhavan in Allahabad, became an important center of political discussion during the struggle for independence. Records of Indian Freemasonry list Motilal Nehru among prominent brethren. His career reflected many principles admired within the Craft: commitment to public duty, education, constitutional reform, and civic leadership.

Jawaharlal Nehru, born on 14 November 1889 in Allahabad, inherited from his father a cosmopolitan outlook and belief in rational inquiry. Educated at Harrow, Trinity College, Cambridge, and the Inner Temple in London, he became a leading figure of the Indian National Congress and later the first Prime Minister of independent India from 15 August 1947 until his death on 27 May 1964. Although Jawaharlal Nehru himself is not generally counted among active Freemasons, the intellectual environment surrounding his family intersected with many circles in which Freemasonry attracted lawyers, reformers, administrators, and public intellectuals. His advocacy of secularism, scientific temper, democratic governance, and international cooperation resonated with values long emphasized in Masonic thought.

Freemasonry in India drew members from remarkably diverse backgrounds—industrialists, judges, scholars, scientists, princes, reformers, and statesmen. Names such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Sir Phirozeshah Mehta, Dadabhai Naoroji, C. Rajagopalachari, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Badruddin Tyabji, Maharaja Ganga Singh, and numerous others appear in Masonic records and traditions. Their collective presence illustrates how Freemasonry functioned as a meeting ground where men of different religions, regions, languages, and professions could interact under the principles of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth.

Freemasonry has never presented itself as a religion. Instead, it encourages belief in a Supreme Being (without having a Theological Structure) while maintaining respect for all faith traditions. Its teachings are conveyed through ritual, symbolism, and allegory, drawing inspiration from the tools and traditions of medieval stonemasons. The ultimate objective is the cultivation of moral character and social responsibility.development.

List of the Prominent Indian Free Masons

Freemasonry has always fascinated people from all walks of life. The kaleidoscope of its membership has included Royalty, Aristocracy, Gentry, and Commoners alike. Freemasons in India have been no exception, and have contributed to India over the last three centuries in no small manner.

Some of the Eminent Indian Masons

Sir Phirozeshah Mehta
Dadabhoy Nowroji Tata
Narendrabath Dutta (Swami Vivekananda) [The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India, Freemasons’ Hall, 19, Park Street, Calcutta -700016 India]
W.C. Bannerjee (The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India, Freemasons’ Hall, 19, Park Street, Calcutta -700016 India)
Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Pandit Motilal Nehru
President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
Sir Dorabji Jamshedji Tata
J.R.D. Tata
Goculdas Narottam Morarjee
Ebrahim Currimbhoy
Dr. B.G. Kher
Bhulabhai Desai
Dr. C. Rajagopalachari
Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer
Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy
D.L. Vaidya
Dr. D.R. Bhandarkar
Sir N.G. Chandavarkar
M.R. Jayakar
Dwarkadas Narainji
Sir Purshottamdas Thakurdas
Sir Chimanlal Setalvad
T.G. Khaitan
Dharamsey Morarjee
Narsingir Pratapgir
Sir Bhalchandra K. Pradhan
Dr. Sir Tehmuiji Nariman
P.M. Kanga
Sir Sultan Mohammad Shah, Aga Khan
Dr. Badruddin Tyabji
Sir Sayyad Ahmad Khan Dahlavi
Mohammadbhoy Currimbhoy Ebrahim,
Ebrahim Rahimtulla Currimbhoy
Dr. R.N. Cooper
Dr. P.V. Cherian
Maharaja Ganga Singh
Maharaja Duleep Singh
Maharaja Randheer Singh
Maharaja Digvijay Smghji
Maharaja Mahinder Bhupinder Singh
Maharaja Yadvinder Singh
Maharaja Sir Bhawani Singh
Maharaja N.N. Bhup
Maharaja J.N. Bhup
Maharaja R.J. Bhup
Maharaja Viziaram Raj
Maharaja Chhatarsinghji
Maharaja Mayurdhwaj Jaladhip
Thakursaheb Daulatsinhji
Sir Gangadharrrao Patwardhan
Shrimant Shankarrao Patwardhan
Balasaheb Pant
Pantbahadur Raghunathrao Shankarrao
Sir Syed Reza Ali Khan
Sir Syed Ahmed Ali Khan
Sahebzada Abu Samad Khan
Ibrahim Khan
Mirza Husain Yawar Khan
Maharajkumar Mohammad Amir Hyder Kha
Nawabzada Khan Mohammed Tolay
Nawabzada Syed Hussam Bilgrami
Nawab Jung Nawab Hyder
Nawab Sir Amin Jung Jung Bahadur
Chintamanrao Patwardhan
Sampatrao Gaikwad
Shrimant Bhau Ramrao Venkatrao
Diwan Suryashankar Mehta
Sheikh Abdul Khaliq
Sorab M. Bharucha
Sir. Samuel Runganadhan (first India’s High Commissioner in London)
Sir David Devadoss, Judge, Madras High Court
Sardar Sir R.J. Vakil
David Abraham

S.V. Sista
Ayaz Peerbhoy
Rasesh Mafatlal
Justice D.P. Madon
Justice Prakash Narain.
J.B. Kanga
D.D. Davar
M.P. Kapadia
D.R. Pradhan
R.K. Saiyad
Parikshit Sahni
Ashok Kumar Ganguly.
Dr. Phiroze Sethna.
Nanik Rupani.
G. L. Raheja.
Narayan Varma.
Sir Reginald Spence.
Jamshed N Guzder
Dr. Shantilal J Mehta
Dr. Framroz Sethna
Dr. Homiyar Dastoor
Dr. Mohanlal Modi
Dr. Jamnadas Merchant
Rustomji A Wadia
David Shellim
Nariman S Patel
Damodar D. Mehta
Maharaja Jaya Chamaraja Wadeyar
Justice P.N.Khanna
Justice G Ramanujam
Justice S.S. Ali
Justice R Bhattacharya
Justice V Ramaswamy
Justice S Natarajan
Justice A.B.Saharya
Dr. Gaur Hari Singhania
Justice S Padmanabhan
Justice V Ratnam
Justice B.S.Sinha
Justice Devinder Gupta
H.H.Marthanda Varma
Justice U Sinha
Justice A.R.Lakshmanan
Justice S Jagadeesan
C.A.Ramakrishnan I.C.S.
Prof M.S.Thacker
Justice K Veeraswami
Justice T Ramprasad Rao
Cav. Dr.G.K Devarajulu
Justice N.S.Ramaswamy
Sitaram Jaipuria
G Ramaswamy
V.P.Raman
Srikanta Datta Narasimharaja Wadiyar
Sir Jamshedjee Jeejeebhoy
His Holiness Sir Sultan Mohamed Shah, Aga Khan
Dr. Badruddin Tyabji
The Nawab Of Pataudi Mansur Ali Khan
Lt.Gen.H.H.Maharaja Jivaji Rao Scindia ,Maharaja of Scindia
Mr Madhav Rao Scindia
Maharaja of Bobbili
Ardaseer Cursetji Wadia
Deshabandu Chittaran Das (The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India, Freemasons’ Hall, 19, Park Street Calcutta -700016 India)
Gaganendranath Tagore (The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India, Freemasons’ Hall, 19, Park Street Calcutta -700016 India)
W.C.Banwejee
Sir Rash Bihari Ghose
Kishab Chandra Sen (The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India, Freemasons’ Hall, 19, Park Street Calcutta -700016 India)
Romesh Chandra Dutt (The Regional Grand Lodge of Eastern India, Freemasons’ Hall, 19, Park Street Calcutta -700016 India)
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Sir Lakshmanaswami Mudaliar – Vice-Chancellor, Madras University
Dr. Malcolm Adiseshiah – Vice-Chancellor, Under Secretary General UNESCO
Mr. Zal Irani
Dr. M.G.K. Menon – Scientist
Mr. K.P.S. Menon, I.C.S.
Nawab Salar Jung

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest and largest secular fraternal organizations, dedicated to the principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man. Guided by its enduring motto, “Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth,” it seeks to promote moral integrity, personal development, charity, and mutual respect among its members. Freemasonry is a unique society concerned with ethical and spiritual values, aiming to make good men better and, through their actions, contribute to the betterment of society. Its teachings are conveyed through symbolic rituals and allegories derived from the tools and traditions of operative stonemasons, using them as guides for moral and philosophical reflection. Although Freemasonry is not a religion, it encourages belief in a Supreme Being while fostering respect, tolerance, and understanding among followers of all faiths, without endorsing any particular religion or creed. (Source: The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of India, 12 December 2018).

Sarvarthapedia Core Concept Cluster: Freemasonry in India

Freemasonry (Institutional Core)

A fraternal, initiatory society rooted in symbolic ritual, moral philosophy, and voluntary association. In India, it evolved as a hybrid institution—European in origin yet gradually indigenized through Indian participation.

See also: Grand Lodge system; Ritual symbolism; Colonial institutions; Civil society networks