A collection of photographs of Mahatma Gandhi sold for £2,880 at auction yesterday.

The 21 prints taken by Jayant R Lalan include informal images taken on August 7, 1942, the day Gandhi called for non-violent protests against British rule.

The photos show Gandhi at an informal gathering on the same day that he made the historic remarks to the All India Congress Committee in Mumbai which led to the formation of the Quit India movement.

Independence from British rule was finally achieved in 1947, although the nation was split into India and Pakistan, but Gandhi was assassinated the following year.

The auction lot, which was estimated to sell between £1,000 and £1,500, also included an undated photograph of the man who was known as the Mahatma, meaning great soul, taking an early morning walk on a Mumbai beach.

The pictures were sold at Bonhams in London as part of the India and Beyond travel and photography sale.