A prominent Indian businessman has paid $1.8m (£1.27m) for the spectacles and other belongings of the independence leader, Mahatma Gandhi, during chaotic scenes at a New York auction house.
Just before the bidding got under way, the owner, James Otis, said he was withdrawing the artefacts from sale because of opposition in India.
Tony Bedi, who bid on behalf of Indian businessman Vijay Mallya, said the buyer intended to return the items to India.
Later Mr Otis said he had not meant to cause uproar and vowed to commit every penny from the auction to "non-violence causes".