New York  - A set of artefacts that once belonged to Indian independence icon Mahatma Gandhi sold for 1.8 million dollars at auction in New York on Thursday.

Gandhi's iconic round-rimmed spectacles, a 1910 silver Zenith pocket watch, sandals, a bowl, a "thali" (plate) and letters of authenticity were bought by an Indian bidder.

Tony Bedi placed the winning bid in the room at New York's Antiquorum Auctioneers despite protests in India and an injunction from a New Delhi court seeking to halt the sale.

Bidding began at 20,000 dollars and rose to the final price within seven minutes.

The United States has asked the auction house to hold the lot for two weeks pending a resolution between the new owner, and the US and Indian governments. dpa