One of the most poignant symbols of India's independence movement was the Charkha or spinning wheel, which prompted millions of Indian to spin their own textiles in an effort to free the country from the yoke of colonialism.
Now the Charkha that is pictured above in one of the Mahatma's most iconic pictures, will go to auction in the UK, much in the same way some other personal effects went a few years ago.
The starting price will be 60,000 pounds sterling, but the price is sure to rise. However, the sale poses some very telling questions on how such historical and prestigious artifacts are handled.
In the last auction, an Indian national bought the effects, ensuring their return to the homeland. But this particular object, should stand in the Gandhi museum and no other place, contend many Indian nationals, and not without reason.
The Charkha, furthermore, had been handmade by Gandhi and used intensively during his imprisonment in Yerwada jail.
The auction will contain more than 60 artifacts from Gandhi's own estate, which will make the auction even more important.
The problem however, is that the sale, unless the Indian government steps in, will offer no guarantee it will return the items to India.
Some of the items include Indian art, and a miniature Koran.
Source : The Hindu/ 10.21.13
No comments:
Post a Comment