• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

A rare first edition of the Constitution of India recently sold at an auction for Rs 48 lakh, marking its highest price yet. The valuable copy, one of only 1,000 copies printed by the Survey of India offices in Dehradun and published by the central government in 1950, was sold at a three-day online auction held by Saffronart from July 24 to 26, reported TOI. The three-day auction also featured antiques representing centuries of Indian history, art, literature and more.

The rare edition features the printed signatures of its creators, including B.R. Ambedkar, the Constitution's architect, with calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada and illumination by eminent modern artist Nandalal Bose.

The blueprint of this photolithographic copy of this constitution is securely stored in a special helium-filled case in the Parliament of India's library. It also includes handprints of all 284 members of the 1946 Constituent Assembly, along with the signature of former prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

ALSO READ: 'BJP-RSS, Modi’s Deep-Rooted Casteism': Jairam Ramesh After PM Modi Backs Anurag Thakur's Caste Census Speech

The calligraphy was done by Prem Behari Narain Raizada, who took six months from November 1949 to April 1950 to meticulously write the laws on handmade Millbourne Loan paper. He was paid Rs 4,000 for his efforts. The paper sheets were then decorated and illuminated by modern artist Nandalal Bose and other artists from Shantiniketan's Kala Bhavan, with Nehru's inputs, including real gold spray on the margins and illumination on every page, the report said.

ALSO READ: Chandigarh Administration Serves Notices To Coaching Centres Operating In Basements After Delhi UPSC Aspirants Death

Additionally, Nandalal Bose created 22 illustrations, one for the beginning of each Constitution part, depicting various periods of Indian history in the miniature style. He was compensated Rs 21,000 for his work on the 221-page document, which took four years to complete.