Gandhi's sandals, spectacles to be sold at New York auction

London, Feb.11 (ANI): Sandals and spectacles belonging to Mahatma Gandhi, India's Father of the Nation, are to be sold at an auction in New York next month.

The auction also includes his pocket watch. According to The Telegraph, Gandhi gave his metal rimmed, circular lensed glasses to an army colonel with the words: 'These gave me the vision to free India'.

The sandals were given to a British army officer in 1931 prior to the Round Table talks in London that were held to discuss Indian self rule.

His Zenith pocket watch was given to his grand niece, Abha Gandhi, his assistant of six years, in whose arms he died after being shot in 1948.

Gandhi had few possessions, and these items are of huge interest and expected to be sold for prices in excess of the estimated 30,000 pounds.

A bowl and plate that were given by Gandhi to his grand niece are also for sale.

The items have letters of provenance and were collected by the unnamed vendor who is now selling them.

Michelle Halpern, from Antiquorum Auctioneers in New York, which is staging the auction, said: "This is a truly historic sale of Gandhi's possessions. Of course he didn't have much, so anything of his that comes up for sale is worth that much more."

The sale is being held on March 4 and 5. (ANI)