For the first time, the Ministry of External Affairs has opened to the general public the precious items kept in its Toshakhana, which were received as gifts by Indian officials during foreign tours and diplomatic meetings over the years. These items include Rolex watches worth lakhs of rupees, silver daggers, gold biscuits, decorative boxes and many rare souvenirs. This e-auction, which started from June 8, will run till June 30 and the amount received from it will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of the Government of India. Let us tell you about the auction in detail in this news. Also let us know what this Toshakhana is. What are its rules and regulations?
For the first time, the Ministry of External Affairs has started e-auction of items kept in Toshakhana for common citizens. Earlier in the year 1983, an auction was also held, but only the employees of the Ministry of External Affairs could participate in it. This time any citizen of the country can bid online on these items. About 300 items have been included in this auction, the starting price of which has been kept from around Rs 3,000 to Rs 19 lakh. The entire amount received from the auction will be deposited in the Consolidated Fund of India of the Government of India.
From Rolex watches to silver daggers
The most talked about watches in the auction are two Rolex Yacht Master-II watches. Their starting price has been kept at Rs 16.5 lakh and many bids have been placed on them. Apart from this, silver daggers, decorative boxes, rare souvenirs, gold biscuits and many heritage items are also included in the auction. A 20 gram pure gold biscuit has been kept in a special decorative box, the starting price of which has been fixed at around Rs 3.92 lakh. A silver box from the 1980s, which was used to keep cigars or cigarettes, has also become the center of attraction. Its initial price was Rs 12,030, but the bids placed on it have taken its price to more than Rs 52,000.
After all, what is Toshakhana?
The word ‘Toshakhana’ comes from the Persian language, which means ‘treasury’ or ‘store of gifts’. It was used during the Mughal period for those places where gifts received by rulers and royal families and items received as a mark of respect were kept safe. Later, even during the British rule, gifts received from foreign rulers or princely states were deposited in the government treasury. On the basis of these traditions, Toshakhana system was continued in modern India also.
In India, Prime Minister, Ministers, senior officials and members of government delegations going on foreign tours have to deposit gifts received from abroad in Toshakhana. According to government rules, any official or public representative is required to deposit the gift received during an official visit to the Toshakhana within 30 days of returning to India.
Who can keep the gift?
According to the existing rules, if the value of a gift is up to Rs 5,000, the concerned officer can retain it. If the gift is worth more than this, it is appraised. If the officer wishes, he can purchase that gift by depositing the decided amount with the government. If this is not done, the item remains stored in the Toshakhana and can later be sold through auction. Apart from this, IAS, IPS and IFS officers are allowed to keep some gifts received from foreign dignitaries, but if their value is more than Rs 25,000 then it is mandatory to inform the government.
Auction is being held under new rules
According to officials of the Ministry of External Affairs, this auction is being conducted under the amended Toshakhana Rules 2024. Most of the items included in the auction are of heritage, memorabilia, collectible and decorative importance. This time, gifts received by any political official have not been included in the auction. However, the ministry is planning to include such gifts in the next phase of auction in future.
This auction of Toshakhana is not just the sale of government goods, but it is also a new initiative to make India’s diplomatic and administrative heritage accessible to the common people. From Rolex watches to silver daggers and gold biscuits, every object carries with it the story of some country, meeting or diplomatic relationship.
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