Gandhi, Mohandas K.

to Mr Maxwell, private secretary to Sir Ernest Hotson (1877-1944), acting Governor of Bombay, sending his congratulations on Hotson's survival of an assassination attempt ("...It was a base act for a student who occupied the position of host to make an attempt on the life of the honoured guest of his college..."), 1 page, 8vo, Bardoli, 24 July 1931



[with:] Sir Ernest Hotson, autograph letter signed, to his mother, describing in detail the assassination attempt upon him ("...there was a bang, and I felt a reaction of heat on a rib just near the heart. Thinking it was some silly practical joke I looked round and saw a man some 2-3 paces from me ... with a nickel plated revolver in his hand, aiming at me ... Then it came to me that it was no joke and I jumped at him..."), 12 pages, 8vo, Ganeshkhind, 26 July 1931; ten rupee note, found in Hotson's wallet after the shooting with a bullet-hole, and note of authentication by eyewitnesses--V.B. Gotge, Hotson's attempted assassin, typed letter signed, to Lady Hotson, sending his condolences on Hotson's death and explaining the generous treatment he received from his intended victim, 1 page, 4to, Poona City, 15 May 1944, with two forwarding notes and draft reply by Lady Hotson; the collection housed in four envelopes

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Gandhi's letter of congratulation to the survivor of an attempted assassination by a young member of the radical nationalist party Hindu Mahasabha, together with other letters providing remarkable detail about the incident. Gotge's shooting of Hotson, in the library of Pune's elite Fergusson College, was an act of revenge against the imposition of martial law in Bombay. 17 years later Gandhi himself was to die at the hands of an assassin inspired by the same ideology of Hindutva.