GANDHI MAHATMA: (1869-1948) Indian political and... Lot 1600

[GANDHI MAHATMA]: (1869-1948) Indian political and spiritual leader during the Indian independence movement. An historic D.S., B. L. Taneja, by Doctor B. L. Taneja, Director of Pathology, one page, 4to, New Delhi, 22nd January [1948]. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is an official medical form issued by the Pathological Laboratory of Irwin Hospital, New Delhi, and is a Report on Blood II prepared for Mahatma Gandhi just eight days prior to his assassination (and only two days after having survived an attempted assassination), the report indicating that Gandhi was in fine health for a man of 78 years of age with normal levels of uric acid, cholesterol (150 mgs per 100 c.c. of blood against a normal level of 100 to 200) and plasma protein, a slightly high although average level of sugar (120 mgs per 100 c.c. of blood against a normal level of 80 to 120) and a marginally higher level of calcium (12 mgs per 100 c.c. of serum against a normal level of 9 to 11.5). Signed by Taneja at the foot above his official ink stamp. A rare and incredibly poignant document. Two file holes to the left edge and a couple of small staple holes to the upper left corner, none of which affect the text. VG The present document once accompanied Gandhi's Report on Blood I document which was prepared a day earlier, on 21st January 1948, also by Dr. B. L. Taneja at the Irwin Hospital in New Delhi. The first report is known to have indicated a Haemoglobin level of 82%, a white blood cell (Leucocyte) count of 7,400, and a red blood cell (Erythrocyte) count of 4,790,000. In January 1948 Gandhi was living (in two unpretentious rooms) at Birla House in New Delhi from where he was conducting prayer meetings in the gardens. The first attempt by Nathuram Godse and his colleagues to assassinate Gandhi took place on 20th January 1948 when a grenade was thrown at the crowd listening to Gandhi speak in a park, leaving him alone on the speakers' platform. Godse's accomplices then lost their nerve and instead of hurling another grenade at the isolated Gandhi they instead fled amongst the crowd who had created a chaotic stampede. On 30th January 1948 Gandhi, accompanied by his great niece and another young lady, made his way on foot to a prayer meeting when he was confronted at close range by Nathuram Godse who fired three bullets into Gandhi's chest. Gandhi was immediately carried to Birla House and, having lost a lot of blood, was pronounced dead approximately thirty minutes later.