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Autograph silent-day note in pencil, on six reused paper slips, written in English, addressed to Jairamdas Doulatram, dated on or before 21 May 1935; discussing Jawaharlal Nehru's views on the Statute of Westminster, Anand T Hingorani's family circumstances, Gandhi's advice concerning Anand's parents, Vidya Hingorani's illness, and his views on preserving life and the rejection of artificial medical intervention. Published in The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. 67, Letter No. 137, p. 84.

THE FUTURE OF INDIA: Gandhi Reflects on Jawaharlal Nehru

Written on Gandhi's weekly day of silence, this note offers an unusually candid glimpse into his private thought, bringing together political observation, personal counsel and philosophical reflection within a single document. Addressed to Jairamdas Doulatram in May 1935 and written on reused slips of paper, it illuminates the interconnected worlds of politics, friendship and moral discipline that characterised Gandhi's daily correspondence.

The letter opens with a brief reference to Jawaharlal Nehru and contemporary constitutional debates surrounding the Statute of Westminster. Gandhi's assessment is characteristically concise and personal, reflecting the familiarity and occasional differences of temperament that marked one of the defining political relationships of the Indian freedom movement. Yet this political observation serves chiefly as a prelude to matters Gandhi regarded as more immediate and personal.

The correspondence then turns to Anand T Hingorani and the difficulties affecting his family. Gandhi reflects upon Hingorani's estrangement from his father and his mother's continuing distress, offering advice. These passages reveal the role Gandhi often played within his circle which extended to a mediator, counsellor and moral guide.

Most significant is Gandhi's discussion of Vidya Hingorani's illness and the question of preserving life through artificial means. Gandhi writes that he does not believe in prolonging the existence of the body “at any cost or without purpose,” arguing that a lingering death may be worse than a natural one. He further explains that this was not a newly formed opinion but a principle he had consistently applied in earlier cases involving close associates.

These reflections provide a rare insight into Gandhi's ethical understanding of illness, mortality and medical intervention. Although prompted by a specific family circumstance, they address broader questions that occupied Gandhi throughout his life: the relationship between body and spirit, the acceptance of suffering, and the limits of human attempts to resist the natural course of life.

Preserved in its characteristic form as a silent-day note written on reused paper slips, the document reflects many of the qualities associated with Gandhi's correspondence: economy, directness and moral seriousness. It brings together political observation, personal guidance and ethical reflection in a single communication, offering an intimate view of Gandhi's thought and practice.

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as a reference for the condition of each lot.

Autograph silent-day note in pencil, on six reused paper slips, written in English, addressed to Jairamdas Doulatram, dated on or before 21 May 1935; discussing Jawaharlal Nehru's views on the Statute of Westminster, Anand T Hingorani's family circumstances, Gandhi's advice concerning Anand's parents, Vidya Hingorani's illness, and his views on preserving life and the rejection of artificial medical intervention. Published in The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi, Vol. 67, Letter No. 137, p. 84.

THE FUTURE OF INDIA: Gandhi Reflects on Jawaharlal Nehru

Written on Gandhi's weekly day of silence, this note offers an unusually candid glimpse into his private thought, bringing together political observation, personal counsel and philosophical reflection within a single document. Addressed to Jairamdas Doulatram in May 1935 and written on reused slips of paper, it illuminates the interconnected worlds of politics, friendship and moral discipline that characterised Gandhi's daily correspondence.

The letter opens with a brief reference to Jawaharlal Nehru and contemporary constitutional debates surrounding the Statute of Westminster. Gandhi's assessment is characteristically concise and personal, reflecting the familiarity and occasional differences of temperament that marked one of the defining political relationships of the Indian freedom movement. Yet this political observation serves chiefly as a prelude to matters Gandhi regarded as more immediate and personal.

The correspondence then turns to Anand T Hingorani and the difficulties affecting his family. Gandhi reflects upon Hingorani's estrangement from his father and his mother's continuing distress, offering advice. These passages reveal the role Gandhi often played within his circle which extended to a mediator, counsellor and moral guide.

Most significant is Gandhi's discussion of Vidya Hingorani's illness and the question of preserving life through artificial means. Gandhi writes that he does not believe in prolonging the existence of the body “at any cost or without purpose,” arguing that a lingering death may be worse than a natural one. He further explains that this was not a newly formed opinion but a principle he had consistently applied in earlier cases involving close associates.

These reflections provide a rare insight into Gandhi's ethical understanding of illness, mortality and medical intervention. Although prompted by a specific family circumstance, they address broader questions that occupied Gandhi throughout his life: the relationship between body and spirit, the acceptance of suffering, and the limits of human attempts to resist the natural course of life.

Preserved in its characteristic form as a silent-day note written on reused paper slips, the document reflects many of the qualities associated with Gandhi's correspondence: economy, directness and moral seriousness. It brings together political observation, personal guidance and ethical reflection in a single communication, offering an intimate view of Gandhi's thought and practice.

This lot will be shipped in "as is" condition. For further details, please refer to the images of individual lots as a reference for the condition of each lot.