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The Streets Of Bombay During The British Era, 5 Postcards 1900s
Gallery

The Streets Of Bombay During The British Era, 5 Postcards 1900s

The Streets Of Bombay During The British Era, 5 Postcards 1900s

Bombay Postcards, Old India Postcards

The Streets Of Bombay During The British Era, 5 Postcards 1900s Five 1900s postcards show interesting street scenes of Bombay ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-08T05:17:09+05:30
1895 illustration from The Graphic showing the installation ceremony of the Maharaja of Mysore seated on the royal throne inside Mysore Palace.
The Installation of The Maharaja Of Mysore, 1895 Newspaper Page
Gallery

The Installation of The Maharaja Of Mysore, 1895 Newspaper Page

The Installation of The Maharaja Of Mysore, 1895 Newspaper Page

Old India Prints, Other India Prints

The Installation of The Maharaja Of Mysore, 1895 Newspaper Page A rare newspaper page from The Graphic of 1895 records ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-07T23:21:40+05:30
Kala Ghoda, Elphinstone College & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1910
Kala Ghoda, Elphinstone College & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1910
Gallery

Kala Ghoda, Elphinstone College & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1910

Kala Ghoda, Elphinstone College & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1910

Bombay Postcards, Old India Postcards

Kala Ghoda, Elphinstone College & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1910 This 1910 interesting postcard displays Kala Ghoda (Black Horse), Elphinstone College, ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-07T19:11:58+05:30
Vintage photograph of the Times of India Building in British-era Bombay (Mumbai), showcasing its impressive Indo-Saracenic and Victorian architectural design, ornate arches, domed towers, and the bustling urban streetscape of colonial India.
Times of India Building, Home of India’s Oldest Newspaper, 1905
Gallery

Times of India Building, Home of India’s Oldest Newspaper, 1905

Times of India Building, Home of India’s Oldest Newspaper, 1905

Bombay Postcards, Old India Postcards

Times of India Building, Home of India's Oldest Newspaper, 1905 A 1905 postcard of the iconic Times of India Building ....read more

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Bangalore Multiplicity By A. Ravindra, 2012 Book
Bangalore Multiplicity By A. Ravindra, 2012 Book
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Bangalore Multiplicity By A. Ravindra, 2012 Book

Bangalore Multiplicity By A. Ravindra, 2012 Book

Books & Publications, More

Title: Bangalore Multiplicity Author: A. Ravindra Publisher: ‎ Gangarams Publications Publication date: ‎ 1 January 2012 A fascinating book celebrating ....read more

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Early Bombay Photography By Susan Hapgood
Early Bombay Photography By Susan Hapgood
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Early Bombay Photography By Susan Hapgood

Early Bombay Photography By Susan Hapgood

Books & Publications, More

Early Bombay Photography By Susan Hapgood Title - Early Bombay Photography Author - Susan Hapgood Publishers- Mapin Publishing, Ahmedabad Year- ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-06T14:51:03+05:30
Antique colonial-era photograph of horse-drawn carriages, European families, and Indian attendants at a tented camp in Mysore or Bangalore.
A Gathering of European Families In Princely Mysore, 1885 Photo
Gallery

A Gathering of European Families In Princely Mysore, 1885 Photo

A Gathering of European Families In Princely Mysore, 1885 Photo

Bangalore Photos, Old India Photos

A Gathering of European Families In Princely Mysore, 1885 Photo This fascinating 1885 antique photograph appears to capture a scene ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-06T06:33:41+05:30
Historic view of Aden, Yemen, during the British era when it was administered under the Bombay Presidency of British India.
Aden Part Of Bombay Presidency In Colonial Era, 1870 Photo
Gallery

Aden Part Of Bombay Presidency In Colonial Era, 1870 Photo

Aden Part Of Bombay Presidency In Colonial Era, 1870 Photo

Bombay Photos, Old India Photos

Aden Part Of Bombay Presidency In Colonial Era, 1870 Photo An interesting 1870 photograph of Aden. A strategic port city ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-05T21:43:23+05:30
Historic photograph of Bhendi Bazaar in British-era Bombay showing crowded streets, tram tracks, shops, and traditional buildings.
19th Century Bhendi Bazaar In British Era Bombay, 1890 Photo
Gallery

19th Century Bhendi Bazaar In British Era Bombay, 1890 Photo

19th Century Bhendi Bazaar In British Era Bombay, 1890 Photo

Bombay Photos, Old India Photos

19th Century Bhendi Bazaar In British Era Bombay, 1890 Photo An 1890 photograph captures the vibrant streets of Bhendi Bazaar ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-13T08:07:02+05:30
Fort St George From Where Chennai Began, 1890 Photo
Fort St George From Where Chennai Began, 1890 Photo
Gallery

Fort St George From Where Chennai Began, 1890 Photo

Fort St George From Where Chennai Began, 1890 Photo

Madras Photos, Old India Photos

Fort St George From Where Chennai Began, 1890 Photo An 1890 photo of Fort St George from where Chennai (formerly ....read more

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Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” Oleograph 1894

past-india.com

This site illustrates a past India through a collection of antique and vintage mediums of Raja Ravi Varma oleographs, old India photos, old postcards, old paper prints, and so on.

Although the collection may or may not be too varied, but generally projects a glimpse to what India looked like in the past. And how it has evolved since then. Few would realize that once there were Trams in Bombay, Madras, Delhi…

That, Madras operated the first electric Tram in India from 1895 up to its closure in 1953. With Calcutta and Bombay starting off with Horse-Drawn Trams, later electrifying them by the early 1900s.

That, in World War II, they camouflaged the Taj Mahal with bamboo scaffoldings. So as to project it as a construction site that perhaps would fool any air attacks from the Germans and Japanese might, although this never happened. All in all, the jewel in this collection is the rare Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” oleograph or chromolithograph of 1894. This was the first oleograph to come out from the then newly opened Raja Ravi Varma Fine Arts Lithograph Press(or FAL press) in 1894.

The many legacies of the British Raj are not missed out in this collection. Many of the buildings and streets have gone through several makeovers to the extent of being unrecognizable today or have completely disappeared from the scene. But the memories are kept alive hopefully to some extent by this collection.

As they say- “seeing is believing.” Hope you enjoy this collection. Please write to us at- info@past-india.com

Popular & Rare

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Past India

You can see the main categories on the top of the page, and except for the “Raja Ravi Varma Oleograph & Other Art” category all the other main categories have drop-down to sub-categories. You can then select the subject of your interest or you can check through the search box and if available it will display the results. The photos, prints & picture postcards depict a varied subjects of a Past India we may have forgotten- from people on the streets to people at grand events like Delhi durbar, from Taj Mahal to Gateway of India, from residential areas to commercial areas, from home exterior to interior of homes and so on. This site also includes a photo of "Charlie Chaplin" with his autograph signed on the back. There are also old maps, books, Raja Ravi Varma’s oelographs etc. “A picture is worth a thousand words” is an old adage, I’m sure this blog should interest you likewise. All the items displayed are from my personal collection unless otherwise specified.

Contact us:

info@past-india.com
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