Pakistan, July 17 -- A rare oil portrait of Mahatma Gandhi has sold for £152,800 at an auction in London. The painting was created in 1931 by British-American artist Clare Leighton. It fetched more than twice its estimated price when the auction closed on Tuesday. Bonhams auction house described it as a "very special work" that had never been offered for sale before.

This portrait is believed to be the only oil painting for which Gandhi ever sat. It captures a key moment in history during Gandhi's time in London. The artist, Clare Leighton, held onto the painting until her death in 1989. Since then, it stayed within her family. Bonhams confirmed it was the first time the piece appeared at auction.

Rhyanon Demery, head of sale at Bo...