The quake struck 29km (18 miles) west of the northeastern city of Imphal at 4.35am (11.05pm UK time), according to the US Geological Survey.
Six people have died in the city, which is the capital of Manipur state, as walls, staircases and roofs in some buildings collapsed. Another 100 have been injured, 33 seriously.
The rescue operation is being hampered by severed power supplies and telecommunication links across the city, which is home to 270,000 people.
"It was like being tossed around in a frying pan," said Joy Thanglian, a 33-year-old employee of state energy firm Bharat Petroleum. "Then we ran outside."
Imphal resident Deepak Shijagurumayum added: "Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were thrown out of their beds.
"People were crying and praying in the streets and in open spaces. Hundreds remained outdoors for several hours fearing aftershocks."
There were similar scenes in the northeast Indian city of Guwahati.
The quake was felt as far away as Yangon, the capital of Myanmar, 1,176km (730 miles) to the south.
Three people are reported to have died from heart attacks in Bangladesh, where another 90 people are said to be injured.
Tremors were also felt in Nepal.
India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, wrote on Twitter that he is in touch with authorities in the affected area - though some have criticised the government's response.
"We haven't seen any help from the government side," said disaster volunteer worker Kanarjit Kangujam. "The government has not given us any information."
He added that the quake was the biggest that has been felt in Imphal.
The quake was 57km (35 miles) deep, the US Geological Survey said.
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