"Persuasion and Statemanship"

Naidu, Sarojini, Indian political activist and poet (1879-1949). Autograph letter signed ("Sarojini Naidu, President S. African Indian Congress").

€ 4,500.00

Written only months after Naidu became the first Indian woman to be appointed President of the Indian National Congress, while she was preparing for the arrival of a visiting deputation of the South African Indian Congress: "In view of the fact that a powerful and representative deputation is on its way to India on behalf of the S. African Indian Congress to confer with the Govt. of India and the Indian National Congress, I am strongly of opinion that it would be detrimental to the course of the Indian Colonies of S. Africa to send a deputation [...]".

A relentless fighter for independence, Naidu was nicknamed "the Nightingale of India" or "Bharat Kokila" by Mahatma Gandhi because of the vibrant imagery of her poetry. Alongside Gandhi, she participated in the 1930 Salt March and was imprisoned several times. In 1947, she became the first Governor of the United Provinces (present-day Uttar Pradesh) after India's independence; she remained in office until her death.