We get few details of the early Lodges of Calcutta. The first Grand Lodge of England was established on 24 June 1717. According to Pick and Knight, 'Through one channel or another this was the Mother of all Grand Lodges throughout the world.' (FPRB., 118). It appears that a Provincial Grand Master was appointed in Bengal in 1728. A Provincial organisation was set up in Bengal in the eighteenth century and it owed allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England. William Hickey testifies to the disciplinary control of the English Grand Lodge over the Provincial Organisation in Bengal. Hickey's name was removed froth the roll of the Lodge at the instance of the Acting Provincial Grand Master but was ordered to be restored on a refercnce to the Grand Lodge of England (1787).

D'Cruz gives us various accounts of the activities of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal. Some of these may be recounted here. In 1774 this Lodge stoutly defended the privileges of the honorary members of a Lodge to continue as such: 'as honorary rank had been conferred on them, the Grand Lodge disapproved very much of the Lodge passing a vote to deprive them of it.' (op.cit., 6) It also ruled that the officers of the Lodges should be elected annually (ibid., 7) For some time the Provincial Grand Master was elected by the members of the Lodge, the Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Sword-Bearer having no right to vote (such right being restored later on). In 1775 strenuous arguments were put forth. whether or not the Provincial Grand Lodge was dissolved on the death of the Provincial Grand Master. In 1778, 1779 and 1786, the Provincial Grand Lodge fixed the rates of subscription of its members and contributions of the private Lodges. ibid., 26, 29, 39)

In 1781 the Provincial Grand Lodge was dissolved mainly due to the unsettled condition created by the war in the Carnatic but the efforts of Lodge No. 2, Industry and Perseverance, 'prevented the total extinction of Masonry' in this region. (ibid., 29-31) The Provincial Grand Lodge was re-opened in 1785. The Grand Lodge of England appointed Bro. G. Williamson Acting Provincial Grand Waster 'pending the election of a Brother to the office'. When Bro. E. Fenwick was elected the Provincial Grand Master, a disagreement between the Provincial Grand Lodge and Bro. Williamson ensued. In a letter dated 31 August 1757 to the Grand Lodge of England, some prominent Bengal Masons claimed, 'Our right to elect our Provincial Grand Master annually we look on as a right natural and inherent in us, and of which we cannot be divested. We will always communicate our choice to the M W. Grand Lodge, and request a confirmation thereof by Patent, and unless some very extraordinary circumstance should occur, we will not proceed to a new choice; until such confirmation is received.' ibid., 58) Bro. Fenwick was duly confirmed as the Provincial Grand Master on 4 March 1789 by the Grand Master of England.

Meanwhile, on 27 November 1787 the Provincial Grand Lodge appointed its agent in London and revised its bye-laws and regulations. It was provided `that all important matters, such as granting Constitutions, &c., shall only be done in Lodge assembled, when every thing shall be determined by a majority of voice.' The Provincial Grand Master had a casting vote.

At the beginning of the nineteenth century Freemasonry in Calcutta faced a crisis. In 1803 the Provincial Grand Lodge was once more dissolved. There was even a proposal to establish another Provincial Lodge in Calcutta connected with the Grand Lodge of England of the 'Ancient York Constitution.' Freemasonry was at a low ebb in this region. Many Lodges fell into abeyance. But a sermon by the Rev. Bro. Dr. Ward had an electrifying effect on the Calcutta Masons. As a result Lodge Star in the Fast was revived in 1812. So was Lodge Industry and Perseverance in the same year. In 1813 these Lodges along with others celebrated St. John the Evangelist's Day.

Some Lodges in Calcutta, as we shall presently notice, went over to the York Constitution. The Grand Lodge England (the 'Moderns') was anxious to win them back. In 1813 a letter reporting Dr. Ward's election as the Provincial Grand Master stated, 'finding upon due and mature consideration, that the other Lodges in Bengal had accepted the Constitutions from the Duke of Athol, and thrown, off their allegiance to the Grand Lodge of England, we considered to be our duty; by private and friendly communications with them, to endeavour to draw them back to their former allegiance. But although we have hitherto exerted our efforts in vain, we feel great hopes that on the establishment of a Provincial Grand Lodge in Bengal, this object of Masonry may be happily attained.' (ibid., 96)

We do not know how the schism in Freemasonry in England originally affected the Calcutta Lodges. 'The Antient Grand Lodge was formed in 1751. From the fact that the reigns of the 3rd Duke of Atholl and his nephew, the 4th Duke, extended (with one ten year interval, from 1771 to 1813 the Antients were also known as 'Atholl Masons'.' (FPRB., 23) From a report published on 1 July, 1813 we find that at a dinner given by the Lodge True Friendship of Bengal, a toast was given to 'His Grace John Duke of Athol, Grand Master of the Antient York Free Masons and the Grand Lodge of England'. Presumably this Lodge owed allegiance to the Antients.

From another report of December 1813 we observe that three Calcutta Lodges, Star in the East, Lodge Industry and Perseverance and the Moira Lodge Freedom and Fidelity, worked under the Grand. Lodge of England ('the Moderns').

We learn from 'The History of Freemasonry in Bengal' that between 1791 and 1799 the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal met regularly and had seven lodges under it in Calcutta. These were Star in the East, Industry and Perseverance, Unanimity Humility with Fortitude; True Friendship, Marine, and Anchor and Hope. According to this source, 'The officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal had uniformly Leer. selected from the first two Lodges in the above list. This circumstance led to no small dissatisfaction an the part of the Lodges, who feeling themselves; neglected, were not slow to resent the treatment The Lodges, Trite Friendship and Humility with Fortitude, were the first to separate. They applied for and obtained warrants of "the An cient York Constitution," dated respectively the 27th December 1797 and 11th April 1798. Lodge "Marine" followed their example'. (p. 90) According to the Short History o; Lodge Anchor and Hope, 'Lodge "Anchor and Hope" likewise applied for and obtained a warrant of the Ancient York constitution. (bearing No. 325). But it is doubtful whether Anchor and Hope' had ever worked under this new warrant. At the union of the two Grand Lodges in December 1813, the numbers of different Lodges, under the two Grand Bodies, were amalgamated.' For all this credit should go to the Earl of Moira who re-established the Provincial Grand Lodge in 1813. From the report of 1822 it is clear that the Lodges True Friendship, Marine and Humility with Fortitude, formerly owing allegiance to the Ancient York Constitution, moved with the other Lodges under one Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal: Elsewhere we have set out Calcutta and Madras Masons' appreciation of the constructive role of the Earl of Moira in bringing about this union. The Grand Lodge made him the Acting Grand Master of India. The Address of 1822 records that the Marquess of Hastings (formerly Earl of Moira) was 'invested with a superintending Power over the Masonic Institutions in the Eastern Quarter of the world.' It is claimed. that Freemasonry thrived in this region during his tenure.

In 1813 the Madras Masons complimented His Lordship with this observation, 'The Unity of Maso nic constitution, to which you advert is a point deserving solicitous attention. It is the only security for regularity and uniformity of observance, without which the character of a Masonic Lodge might be assumed by a set of individuals for conducting in secrecy the most nefarious designs. Your strictness therefore is highly laudable.'

But the said Short History states, 'Between the years 1815 and 1829 a serious disruption of the Graft had taken place in Calcutta, resulting in the extinction of the Provincial Grand Lodge, and the annihilation of all Order and constituted authority for a time. All intercourse with the Grand Lodge of England ceased.' The unknown author of this Short History cannot be wholly correct, because some contemporary records set out elsewhere definitely show that between 1819 and 1824 the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal not only did exist, but took active parts in public ceremonies.

Thus we read in a report of 1819 that 'the Provincial Grand Lodge of Bengal has been solicited by the Collector of Government Customs, to assist in the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the New' Custom House, about to be erected on the site of the Old Fort, and that preparations for that purpose are making with the sanction of the Host Noble the Marquis of Hastings. The Masonic Lodges in Calcutta will be assembled to join in the procession.' Eight Lodges viz. Courage with Humanity, Aurora, Moira, Marine, Humility with Fortitude, True Friendship, Industry and Perseverance and Star in the East did so under the guidance of the Provincial Grand Lodge. `The whole of the ceremony had an imposing effect, and was witnessed by a very large assemblage of spectators,' says the report of February 18, 1819. In 1822 a Masonic Address was delivered in honour of the Marquess of Hastings, who was about to lay down his office of the, Governor-General of India. These Lodges (other than the Moira Lodge) along with three Military Lodges participated in the solemn, function under the leadership of the provincial body. The address states, `The appearance of your Lordship amongst the Brethren in India gave additional vigour to the spirit so inspired; and working under the eye of a Grand Master so distinguished for every Masonic virtue, the ardour of spirit has continued unabated, to the honour of the Craft, the increase of its. Number, and the extension of its Charities.' It also complimented him on his 'selection of a Deputy Grand Master from among the most honourable and respected of our Brethren, in the formation of a Provincial Grand Lodge, and the appointment of a zealous, able, and enlightened Grand Master,* under the influence of whose character and watchful superintendence, incalculable benefits have accured to the Fraternity'. The Governor-General accepted the Address with a deep sense of gratification. Another report of 1823 mentions a masonic procession in regular Masonic order on the occasion of the St. John's day followed by 'a grand Masonic banquet', when 'all was harmony, order, cheerful enjoyment, without excess of any kind, warm good will and peace'. All this ceremony was held under the auspices of the Provincial Grand Lodge.

(*The Hon'ble Archibald Sewn, Member of the Supreme Council. (HOFIB., 163). He resigned in 1815. The Hon'ble Charles Robert Lindsay succeeded him.)

It is unthinkable that during the nine years' tenure of the Marquess of Hastings, 'all intercourse with the Grand Lodge of England ceased', as the unknown author alleges. The Provincial Grand Lodge laid the foundation stones of the Hindu College and the Mohammedan Madrassa in 1824. These ceremonies were performed at the invitation of the Government department, particularly at the instance of the new Governor-General. J. H. Harington, President of the the committee of Public Instruction, in complimenting the Provincial Grand Master said, 'They (the committee of Public Instruction) further desire me to inform you that they will have great pleasure in communicating to the Right Honourable the Governor General your very able discharge of the trust committed to you by His Lordship on this interesting occasion.'

In the matter of internal administration of the Provincial Grand Lodge we find the charge of 'the neglect of its duties by the Provincial Grand Lodge', as levelled by this unknown author of the Short History. He goes on to say that 'No steps whatever were taken by the Provincial Grand Lodge for the transmission of these returns and dues to the Grand Lodge in England, and as a consequence of such emission, the Grand Lodge of England ceased to regard or notice the affiliated Lodges of Bengal.'

Between 1830 and 1838, it is reported by him, the Lodges in Calcutta sought to reconsider their relation with the Grand Lodge of England. Some principal officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge resigned. The Provincial- body was dissolved. In 1840 it was reorganised and the link with the United Grand Ledge of England was duly re-established. D'Cruz also confirms this account in suhstance. (HOFIB'., 17I-200). Some Lodges even threatened to dissociate themselves from the Grand Lodge of England in 1534.

Rt. Wor. Bro. C. A. Ramakrishanan refers to a controversy between the Provincial Grand Masters of Bengal and Madras in 1860 over the question of issuing a warrant to a Lodge in Burma by the Madras Grand Lodge, Bengal claiming jurisdiction over Burma. The dispute was referred to the Grand Lodge which upheld the Madras Grand Lodge's decision (6 GLIN. 209).

Cotton gives us a list of twenty, Lodges'* which met in Calcutta and its suburbs under the English constitution at the beginning of this century. Of these Lodges the following were, according to him, established in earlier centuries, the years being shown within brackets-Star in the East (1740), Industry and Perseverance (1761), True Friendship (1772), Humility with Fortitude (1774), Marine (1776), Anchor and Hope (1776), Courage with Humanity (1821), St.

(* For reports on individual Lodges of 1788 and 1827 vide HOFIB., 67-70; 163-7.)

John (1842), Temperance and Benevolence (1867), Sandeman (1871), Prinsep (1884), Thomas Jones. (1892), Ubique (1893) and Yeatman-Biggs (1897), From its warrant of confirmation granted on 30 April 1844, Lodge Anchor and Hope appears to have been established in 1773, a date rejected by the Grand Lodge of England in 1881." Again, Lodge Courage with Humanity appears in a contemporary report of 1815, six years prior to the date assigned to it by Cotton. Again, the reports of 1815 and 1819 mention three more Lodges viz. Aurora, Moira and Oriental Star. Presumably they became defunct later on. Besides, there were several Military Lodges, as D'Cruz has stated. We hear of Military Lodges of H. M's 17th Foot and of the Hon'ble Company's Artillery in 1822. Some consisted of non-commissioned officers and privates. It is not clear if these Military Lodges were of the stationary or the ambulatory type. Pick and Knight quote the view of the Board of General Purposes that 'the spread of the Graft overseas was largely due to the enthusiasm and pertinacity of the members of the Military Lodges, who carried with them the seeds of Freemasonry to many distant garrison towns and cantonments, where stationary Lodges were established and still flourish' (ibid., 178). In 1788 there was a R. A. Chapter connected with Lodge No. 11 (Humility with Fortitude) flourishing in Calcutta. In 1812 another Chapter was connected with the Lodge True Friendship. This is an example of the additional degree, governed in England by `the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch'. The Calcutta Chapter had a G.·. M.·. 'G. Senior and Junior Wardens', Tyler and 'Companions, walking three and three.'

(* According to the Freemasons' Calender for 1794, this Lodge was founded in 1773 (GHOF., IV, 60).

Cotton also mentions four Lodges under the Scottish Constitution. They are St. David in the East (1855), St. Thomas in the East (1860), Endeavour (1867) and Albyn (1894).

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