The torch of freemasonry was brought to India in 1728 A.D. The light fell on fertile ground in as much as this beautiful “system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols” was to spread in a land steeped with mysticism and symbolism. To Indians, who were and are basically a deeply religious people, the concept of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of man came by way of reiteration of something in which they have always believed and still believe in. Since religion to an Indian was and is by and large something very personal and individual, the principles of freemasonry that religion and politics have not to be mixed up with the Craft, appealed as a principle which has meaning and significance. To the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland we owe the benefit bestowed on us in initially propagating the tenets of the Craft.

Many Lodges were consecrated and established through the length and breadth of India by the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland, and the craft in general developed gradually under the aegis of these Grand Lodges.

When India became politically independent in August 1947, and particularly after it became a Republic in January 1950, serious thinking started amongst Indian Masons that it would be more appropriate if Indian Freemasonry was to have its own sovereign Grand Lodge. It was, however, only in 1960 that this thinking took concrete shape and an approach was made to the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland to consider the desirability and feasibility of constituting a Sovereign Grand Lodge of India. True to the spirit of Freemasonry, the three Grand Lodges reacted favourably and a Steering Committee was constituted to examine the issue and suggested ways and means of constituting the lodges functioning under the three grand Lodges into a separate new Grand Lodge. In due course options were invited from the Lodges functioning under the three Grand Lodges to indicate whether they would like to opt for the proposed Grand Lodge of India. Out of a total of 277 individual Lodges in India (excluding Pakistan, Ceylon and Aden, which were excluded for the poll) 145 opted for the new Grand Lodge of India. This represented a little over 52 per cent. The Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland honoured this feeling and resolved to consecrate and constitute the Grand Lodge of India, with 145 Lodges becoming the Foundation Lodges, authorized to retain their continuity and seniority.

Thus on 24th November 1961, in Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi, a team of officers from the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland and Scotland assembled to consecrate and constitute the Grand Lodge of India. The team from the Grand Lodge of England was headed by the then Deputy Grand Master, R.W.Bro. The Rt. Hon. Earl Cadogan, M.C.D.L., the team from Ireland was led by the Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, R.W. Bro. George S Gamble and the team from the Grand Lodge of Scotland was led by M.W. The Grand Master, Mason of Scotland, M.W. Bro. The Rt. Hon. The Earl of Eglington and Winton. R.W. Brother Edwards officiated as the Grand Director of Ceremonies. The Grand Lodge of India was consecrated by the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Scotland. It was constituted by R.W. Bro. George S Gamble, the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland. Rt. Hon. Earl Cadogan, Deputy Grand Master of England installed the first M.W. The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India, M.W. Bro. Maj. Gen. Dr. Sir Syed Raza Ali Khan, the Nawab of Rampur.

Over 1491 brethren from all over India were present at the historic occasion of the inaugural meeting. M.W. the then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel, M.W. Bro. Max Seligman and the Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alberta, Canada, M.W. Bro. Rev. Canon Crane Williams, who graced the occasion, and blessed the newly constituted Grand Lodge of India.