Gandhi's handwritten notes on life sold for $1.69m at Indian auction
The collection documents key moments in Gandhi’s freedom movement as well as his personal relationship with close aide.
A rare assortment of handwritten notes penned by Mahatma Gandhi, India's revered independence leader, fetched $1.69 million (£1.3 million) at an auction held in Mumbai. This sale established a new record for the highest price ever paid for an Indian historical document at auction.
The collection, meticulously preserved by the family of Anand T. Hingorani, a close associate and fellow freedom fighter, comprises 688 of Gandhi's personal messages. These notes, written between 1944 and 1946, delve into themes of truth, non-violence, and self-restraint.
Saffronart, the auction house, confirmed that the sale set a new benchmark for an Indian historical document at auction. While Gandhi is widely recognized as the "father of the nation" for his leadership in India's non-violent resistance against British rule, these notes provide a more intimate perspective on the man behind the political figure.
Among the 86 items auctioned was Gandhi's portable spinning wheel. For approximately two years following the passing of Hingorani's wife, Vidya, Gandhi corresponded with him, offering guidance, solace, and encouragement. These messages were later compiled into a book titled "A Thought for the Day."
Dinesh Vazirani, co-founder of Saffronart, stated that the collection allows individuals to perceive Gandhi "through the lens of a close, personal relationship."
The notes were the centerpiece of Saffronart's "86-lot" auction, named "Gandhi: From the Collection of Anand T Hingorani." The lot also featured letters, manuscripts, photographs, and personal belongings that the Hingorani family had safeguarded for generations.
Spanning over two decades, the collection chronicles pivotal moments in India's struggle for independence and highlights Gandhi's friendship with Hingorani.
"These reflections offer a rare insight into how Gandhi lived the principles he advocated publicly, making this an especially valuable record of his thought and practice," Vazirani remarked in a statement.
Other notable items in the auction included Gandhi's reflections on God and the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita, his portable spinning wheel, and two letters discussing the spiritual discipline of spinning.
Saffronart has not disclosed the buyer's identity but confirmed that the notes will remain within India.
(Related news: A rare oil portrait of Gandhi previously sold for over $200,000. India also acquired an archive of Gandhi's letters, and his spinning wheel has been auctioned on other occasions.)