Video of the Week... Gandhi launches 'the biggest fight of his life'

Photographs of Mahatma Gandhi taken on 7 August 1942, one of the most momentous days for Indian Independence, are up for sale at Bonhams.

The images will be sold as part of the auctioneer's India and Beyond sale in London on October 5.

It was on August 7 that Gandhi addressed the opening day of the historic All India Congress Committee at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai (then known as Bombay).

There, he launched his non violent protest against British rule. "I stick to the principle of non-violence as I did before," he boldly announced.

"If you are tired of it then you need not come with me. At the time when I am about to launch the biggest fight in my life, there can be no hatred for the British in my heart."

The following day, August 8, the Congress overwhelming backed the formation of the civil disobedience Quit India Movement rallied by Gandhi's famous cry of "Do or die".


Images of Gandhi by photographer Jayant Lalan

The morning after, its leaders were arrested and jailed. It is from these events that India's eventual Independence in 1948 sprang.

The photographs of Gandhi on that fateful day show him at an informal indoor gathering - though it is not know precisely where nor at what time of day they were taken.

They were taken by photographer Jayant Lalan of Mumbai. The images include an undated, charming image of the Father of the Nation taking an early morning walk at 'Juhu' Beach, Mumbai with two colleagues. 

The collection, which also includes two photographs of prime minister Nehru, is estimated at £1,000-1,500.

Bonhams' India and Beyond sale takes place twice a year and concentres on historic photographs and documents about Indian and Asia beyond India.

The mark the sale, our Video of the Week is a clip from Ghandi, the 1982 biopic directed by Sir Richard Attenborough and starring Sir Ben Kingsley in the title role.

 

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