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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
devmaster2026-06-20T16:58:09+05:30
Historic view of the Gateway of India overlooking Bombay Harbor during the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, with boats anchored in the harbor and the waterfront visible in the foreground.
Gateway of India and the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, Bombay
Gallery

Gateway of India and the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, Bombay

Gateway of India and the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, Bombay

Bombay Photos, Old India Photos

Gateway of India and the 1946 Royal Indian Navy Mutiny, Bombay, 1946 Photo The photograph and accompanying newspaper clipping of ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-20T06:36:02+05:30
Vintage postcard reproducing a 1778 map and view of Cochin and Fort Cochin on the Malabar Coast of India, showing the harbor, fortifications, and sailing ships.
1778 Map of Fort Cochin on the Malabar Coast, 1928 Postcard
Gallery

1778 Map of Fort Cochin on the Malabar Coast, 1928 Postcard

1778 Map of Fort Cochin on the Malabar Coast, 1928 Postcard

Cochin & Kerala Postcards, Old India Postcards

1778 Map of Fort Cochin on the Malabar Coast, 1928 Postcard A 1928 postcard reproduces a rare 1778 map and ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-19T00:18:34+05:30
Vintage postcard showing the Matheran Steam Railway toy train in the Western Ghats during the British era.
Toy Train Of Matheran Hill Station During The British Era, 1910 PC
Gallery

Toy Train Of Matheran Hill Station During The British Era, 1910 PC

Toy Train Of Matheran Hill Station During The British Era, 1910 PC

India Railway, More

Toy Train Of Matheran Hill Station During The British Era, 1910 PC A 1907 postcard captures one of the most ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-18T21:36:18+05:30
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India Through The Ages By Flora Annie Steel, 1919 Book
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India Through The Ages By Flora Annie Steel, 1919 Book

India Through The Ages By Flora Annie Steel, 1919 Book

Books & Publications, More

India Through The Ages By Flora Annie Steel, 1919 Book Title – India Through The Ages Author – Flora Annie ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-18T19:28:39+05:30
Oil painting by Poonam Southey depicting a traditional house courtyard with flowering plants, stone pathway, and warm sunlight in a vibrant impressionistic style.
Oil Painting in Modern India: A Continuing Artistic Tradition
Gallery

Oil Painting in Modern India: A Continuing Artistic Tradition

Oil Painting in Modern India: A Continuing Artistic Tradition

Art & Raja Ravi Varma Collection

Oil Painting in Modern India: A Continuing Artistic Tradition The oil painting shown is by Poonam Southey, an Indian artist ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-16T23:37:15+05:30
Historic map of Bombay city from the Imperial Gazetteer Atlas of India, showing Fort, Bhuleshwar, Mazagaon, Malabar Hill, Back Bay, harbour docks, railways, and colonial-era street layouts.
The City Of Bombay at the Turn of the 20th Century, 1903 Map
Gallery

The City Of Bombay at the Turn of the 20th Century, 1903 Map

The City Of Bombay at the Turn of the 20th Century, 1903 Map

Maps & Plans, More

The City Of Bombay at the Turn of the 20th Century, 1903 Map   A 1903 map of the city ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-14T11:41:53+05:30
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Back Bay & Churchgate Railway Headquarters Bombay, 1900 PC
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Back Bay & Churchgate Railway Headquarters Bombay, 1900 PC

Back Bay & Churchgate Railway Headquarters Bombay, 1900 PC

Bombay Postcards, Old India Postcards

Back Bay & Churchgate Railway Headquarters In Bombay, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard of Back Bay and the Churchgate Railway ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-12T07:50:06+05:30
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19th C. Description of Bombay From An 1818 Overseas Newspaper 
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19th C. Description of Bombay From An 1818 Overseas Newspaper 

19th C. Description of Bombay From An 1818 Overseas Newspaper 

Bombay Prints, Old India Prints

A 19th C. Description of Bombay From An 1818 Overseas Newspaper  An American newspaper, the Farmers Cabinet of October 17, ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-11T01:32:32+05:30
Collection of five photographs showing British-era Bangalore Cantonment with colonial bungalow, street scene, cycle polo match, and ornate religious building.
Life In Bangalore Cantonment During British Raj, 5 Photos 1910
Gallery

Life In Bangalore Cantonment During British Raj, 5 Photos 1910

Life In Bangalore Cantonment During British Raj, 5 Photos 1910

Bangalore Photos, Old India Photos

Life In Bangalore Cantonment During The British Raj, 5 Photos 1910 Photographs from 1910 offer a fascinating view of life ....read more

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devmaster2026-06-10T19:42:31+05:30
The primary goal was to create a space for promoting tennis, badminton, cricket, and other games among its members. Unlike some of the more exclusive “British-only” clubs of that era, it was largely founded by and for government employees.
Bangalore Gymkhana Club in the Cantonment Era, 1932 Photo
Gallery

Bangalore Gymkhana Club in the Cantonment Era, 1932 Photo

Bangalore Gymkhana Club in the Cantonment Era, 1932 Photo

Bangalore Photos, Old India Photos

Bangalore Gymkhana Club in the Cantonment Era, 1932 Photo A small, rare 1932 photo of Bangalore Gymkhana, a sports and ....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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