- A hugely rare 1931 signed press photo from Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi was the Indian National Congress’ delegate at the Second Indian Round Table Conference in London between September 7 and December 11, 1931. The conference, organised by the British, discussed reforms of the Indian constitution.
The 23.3 x 18.5 cm press photograph shows Gandhi leaving the Second Indian Round Table Conference in London in 1931 – likely September.
He is walking next to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, the four-time president of the Indian National Congress.
Gandhi has signed handsomely towards the bottom right in black ink. The signature is slightly faded.
The press photograph features the words “Planet News Ltd“ stamped on the reverse.
Beautifully framed. Ready for immediate display.
Superb provenance. Previously sold by renowned booksellers Peter Harrington of London.
Dates to a time (August 8-December 19, 1931) when Gandhi was forced to use his left hand to write, due to thumb pain in his right.
Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) is celebrated as the father of modern India. Gandhi trained as a lawyer in London. On a posting to South Africa he experienced intense racism. He pushed back. On returning to India in 1915 he became a leader in the Indian nationalist movement. Gandhi insisted on non-violent means to effect change. Over time his influence among ordinary Indians grew.
He renounced all worldly possessions, wearing only a simple cotton dhoti (loincloth). The British did all they could to destroy his influence. He spent years in prison. Finally on August 15, 1947, after almost 300 years of colonial control, India declared independence. Gandhi did not live to see the first free elections. A Hindu nationalist assassinated him as he walked to a prayer meeting in New Delhi in January 1948. Gandhi remains a figurehead for independence movements the world over.
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