In brief
In an unprecedented auction held in Mumbai, 688 handwritten notes from Mahatma Gandhi, written between 1944 and 1946, reached a record price of US$1.69 million (about £1.3 million). The notes, kept for decades by Anand T. Hingorani’s family, cover Gandhi’s thoughts on truth, non‑violence and self‑restraint, and were sold by auction house Saffronart. The sale has been hailed as the most expensive transaction for an Indian historical document at an auction. Experts say the collection allows historians and the public to see Gandhi beyond the public speeches, as a personal mentor to Hingorani. Though the buyer is anonymous, the notes are to remain in India.
Record‑breaking sale of Gandhi’s private notes
A rare collection of 688 handwritten notes by Mahatma Gandhi has recently fetched a record US$1.69 million (≈£1.3 million) at an auction in Mumbai. The items, kept by the family of close associate Anand T. Hingorani, cover Gandhi’s personal reflections on truth, non‑violence and self‑restraint written between 1944 and 1946.
Auction house Saffronart confirmed the sale set a new benchmark for the highest price paid for an Indian historical document. The notes are part of a broader “86‑lot” auction titled "Gandhi: From the Collection of Anand T Hingorani", which included letters, manuscripts, photographs and personal objects collected over generations.
According to Dinesh Vazirani, co‑founder of Saffronart, the collection provides a striking perspective on Gandhi’s inner life, revealing how he practiced the very principles he publicly promoted. The letters were originally written to Hingorani after the death of his wife Vidya, offering guidance and consolation, and have been compiled into a book called "A Thought for the Day".
In addition to the handwritten notes, the lot also featured Gandhi’s portable spinning wheel, two letters on the spiritual discipline of spinning, and various other irreplaceable artefacts. Though the buyer’s identity remains confidential, Saffronart has announced the notes will stay in India, preserving the legacy for future generations.
The auction underscores the enduring appetite for artifacts linked to national icons and highlights the cultural value placed on personal documents that shed light on historical leadership and philosophy. Future researchers hope the notes will aid in understanding Gandhi’s pragmatic approach to non‑violence and social change during the final years of British rule in India.
