Mahatma Gandhi's handwritten notes fetch $1.69m at Mumbai auction

Sun Sep 06 2026 04:39:19 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A rare collection of Gandhi’s handwritten messages sold for a record $1.69m in Mumbai, offering a rare glimpse into his personal convictions during India’s independence struggle.

A unique bundle of 688 handwritten notes from the late Gyarante Memar of the Hindustani aŕter ical 1944-1946 was auctioned by Saffronart in Mumbai. The sale set a new record for an Indian historical document, fetching $1.69m (1.24m pounds) from an undisclosed buyer. Iceland owners Anand T Hingorani preserved the notes, which were directed at close associate Anand Hingorani for two years after his wife’s death. The collection includes letters, photographs, and the man’s portable spinning wheel, all illustrating Gandhi’s philosophy in personal form. The buyer remains anonymous but the notes are now secured in India.

Mahatma Gandhi's handwritten notes fetch $1.69m at Mumbai auction

A rare bundle of handwritten messages from the Indian freedom fighter reached the record price of 1.69m dollars at an auction held in Mumbai. The notes, preserved for two decades by the family of close associate Anand T Hingorani, include 688 letters dated between 1944 and 1946 on themes of truth, non‑violence and self‑discipline.

Saffronart, the auction house that organised the sale, announced that the deal broke the previous benchmark for Indian historical documents. The buyer’s identity remains confidential, while the notes are now in Indian custody.

Personal content gives new context

Following the death of his wife Vidya, Gandhi penned letters of encouragement to Hingorani. These messages were later compiled in a volume titled A Thought For The Day and offer a candid view of Gandhi’s private life.

Co‑founder of Saffronart Dinesh Vazirani highlighted that the collection lets observers see Gandhi through a close bond, beyond his public image. The auction featured not only the notes but also letters, manuscripts, photographs and personal items kept for generations.

Key historical items included

Alongside the handwritten notes, the auction showcased Gandhi’s portable spinning wheel, two letters about spinning, and writings on the Bhagavad Gita and divine guidance.

Initially listed as 86 lots, the event was a highlight for collectors and historians alike, offering a view of Gandhi’s ideology in an intimate format. The sale underscores the enduring value of personal artifacts from India’s independence era.