A rare collection of handwritten notes by Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi has been sold for $1.69 million (£1.3 million) at an auction in Mumbai city, according to the BBC. The notes, owned and preserved by the family of close associate and freedom fighter Anand T Hingorani, include 688 of Gandhi’s handwritten messages on truth, non-violence, and self-restraint written between 1944 and 1946.

Historical Significance and Personal Glimpses

Gandhi led India’s non-violent struggle against British rule and is fondly known as the father of the nation — But the notes offer a more personal glimpse of the man behind the political leader. Gandhi wrote to Hingorani for around two years after the death of his wife, Vidya, offering him guidance, consolation, and encouragement — the messages were later compiled in a book called, A Thought for the Day.

Dinesh Vazirani, co-founder of Saffronart, said the collection allowed people to see Gandhi “through the lens of a close, personal relationship.” The notes were the highlight of Saffronart’s “86-lot” auction, titled Gandhi: From the Collection of Anand T Hingorani. The lot also included letters, manuscripts, photographs, and personal objects preserved by the Hingorani family over generations.

Spanning Two Decades of Reflection

The collection spans more than two decades, documenting key moments in India’s independence struggle as well as 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 said in a statement.

Other items in the auction were Gandhi’s notes on God and the Hindu holy book Bhagavad Gita, his portable spinning wheel, and two letters about the spiritual discipline of spinning. The auction house said the sale set a record for the highest price paid for an Indian historical document at an auction.

Preserving India’s Heritage

Saffronart has not disclosed the buyer’s identity but said the notes would remain in India; the auction not only highlights the enduring legacy of Gandhi but also exposes the cultural and historical significance of such artifacts in preserving India’s heritage. The sale demonstrates the global and national interest in Gandhi’s personal writings and their relevance to contemporary discussions on truth, non-violence, and self-restraint.

The notes were preserved by the Hingorani family for generations, ensuring their availability for historical study and public appreciation; the auction provided a platform for these rare items to reach a wider audience while also supporting the preservation of India’s independence movement history.