Foreign Ministry's first public Toshakhana auction features Rolex watches, gold biscuits and silver daggers

Fancy owning a Rolex watch or a gold biscuit once gifted to an Indian diplomat? For the first time, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has opened its Toshakhana collection to the public, auctioning around 300 diplomatic gifts ranging from luxury watches and silver daggers to ceremonial souvenirs.

The auction, which began on June 8 and will conclude on June 30, includes gifts received by senior MEA officials, including the Foreign Secretary, during official foreign visits over the years. The reserve prices range from about Rs 3,000 to Rs 19 lakh.

Among the biggest attractions are two Rolex Yacht-Master II watches with a starting price of Rs 16.5 lakh each. Both have already attracted more than a dozen bids, according to the report.


An antique silver box from the 1980s, believed to have been used for storing cigars or cigarettes, has received the highest interest so far, with 29 bids taking its price beyond Rs 52,000 from a base price of Rs 12,030.

The auction also features a decorative silver box with two gold-plated dragons containing a 20-gram gold biscuit from Swiss refiner Argor Heraeus. It carries a starting price of Rs 3.92 lakh and has received eight bids. However, some premium items, including an Apple MacBook Pro and a gold jewellery set from Kuwait-based Al Arbash, are yet to find buyers.

The sale marks the first time the public has been allowed to bid for Toshakhana items. The previous auction, held in 1983, was limited to government employees at the MEA headquarters.

Officials cited in a TOI report said that the auction is being held under the revised Toshakhana Rules, 2024, with all proceeds going to the Consolidated Fund of India. The ministry has clarified that the items are largely heritage, decorative and ceremonial in nature and may not be intended for functional or commercial use.

What is Toshakhana?

Toshakhana, which literally translates to "treasure house" in Persian, dates back to the Mughal era, when rulers stored gifts and honours received from foreign dignitaries.

Today, gifts received by the Prime Minister and other government officials during official overseas visits must be deposited with the Toshakhana for valuation. Under rules notified in 1978, such gifts must be deposited within 30 days of returning from an official visit.

Officials can retain gifts worth up to Rs 5,000. If the value exceeds that limit, they can purchase the item after paying the assessed amount. The remaining gifts are disposed of through auctions.

The report added that while this round does not include gifts received by political leaders, the MEA is planning another auction in the future that could feature presents received by successive External Affairs Ministers.