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Apollo Hotel, Forgotten Hotel of Colonial Bombay, 1903 Postcard
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Apollo Hotel, Forgotten Hotel of Colonial Bombay, 1903 Postcard

Apollo Hotel, Forgotten Hotel of Colonial Bombay, 1903 Postcard

Bombay Postcards, Old India Postcards

Apollo Hotel, Forgotten Hotel of Colonial Bombay, 1903 Postcard A 1903 postcard of the Apollo Hotel, the forgotten hotel of [...]

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Vintage postcard views of Elphinstone Circle, Bombay, showing colonial arcaded buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and the central garden during the British era.
Views of Elphinstone Circle in British-Era Bombay, 3 PCs 1900
Gallery

Views of Elphinstone Circle in British-Era Bombay, 3 PCs 1900

Views of Elphinstone Circle in British-Era Bombay, 3 PCs 1900

Bombay Postcards, Old India Postcards

Views of Elphinstone Circle in British-Era Bombay, 3 Postcards 1900 Three views of Elphinstone Circle through three 1900 postcards of [...]

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Historic narrow-gauge train of the Guzerat Railways Company operating in Gujarat during the British colonial era.
Forgotten Guzerat Railways, Gujarat’s Historic Railway, 1912 Photo
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Forgotten Guzerat Railways, Gujarat’s Historic Railway, 1912 Photo

Forgotten Guzerat Railways, Gujarat’s Historic Railway, 1912 Photo

India Railway, More

Forgotten Guzerat Railways, Gujarat’s Historic Railway, 1912 Photo A 1912 photo captures a Guzerat (Gujarat) Railway train likely waiting at [...]

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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
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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 [...]

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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
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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 [...]

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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
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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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
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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 [...]

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nb-develop-admin2026-06-16T23:37:15+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
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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 [...]

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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 [...]

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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

The First International Airline Flight To India, 1926 Photo  History Of British East India Company In India, 1834 Magazine 1799 News Report On The 4th Anglo-Mysore War & Tipu’s Death 1905 Map of Bombay Islands During The Reclamation Era, c.1840 M G Road Bangalore: Spencer’s & Crystal Picture Palace In 1907 Rajibai Mulgaonkar: Model Behind Ravi Varma’s Paintings, 1900 The Earliest Known Photograph of Mount Everest, 1870 Photo 1939 Bangalore’s South Parade: Plaza Theater, Higginbotham’s Churchgate Railway Office Bombay, 1896 Architectural Print  Madras Harbour & Masula Boat During The British Era, 1899 PC India’s First Train Travel From Bombay To Thana In 1853, Photo The Bombay Back Bay Reclamation Scheme, 1920s Rare Prints View of Hornby Vellard From Cumballa Hill Bombay, 1890 Photo Sweeping Views Of Bombay From Malabar Hill, 2 Photos 1880 Calcutta Tramways Proposed Route Map of 1880 The Beautiful Marina & Senate House Madras, 1894 Photo Empress of India Saloon At Fort Bombay, 1886 Postcard Taj Mahal Disguised From Enemy Attack WWII, 1942 Photo The Beauty Of Kashmir In The 19th Century, 2 Photos 1890 Storming & Taking Bangalore By Marquis Cornwallis, 1800 Print Aerial View of Colaba, Oval Maidan & Back Bay Bombay, 1890 Siege Of Nandi Durg Fort By Cornwallis, 1792 Newspaper 19th Century Flora Fountain Bombay, 1890 Photo Magnificent View of Victoria Terminus & BMC Bombay, 1880 Photo First Steamer To Sail From England To India, 1900 Photo View of British Fort George & Castle Bombay, 1809 Print American Soldiers Victory Parade At Delhi WW2, 1944 Photo Smoking Concert At British Era Bombay Gymkhana In 1908, PC The Siege of Pondicherry By The British, 1760 Newspaper View of Gateway of India’s Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1890 Photo Mahim Railway Station Bombay, 1870 Photo Esplanade & Fort St George British Era Madras, 1872 Photo Panoramic View of 19th Century Calcutta, 1880 Photo First Line Beach British Era Madras, 1880 Photo Constructing The Gateway of India Bombay, 1923 Photo Kalbadevi & Horse Drawn Tram British Era Bombay, 1890 Photo Proposed Site of Rashtrapati Bhavan & Parliament Delhi, 1914 Scale Model of The Taj Mahal Hotel & Tower Bombay, 1971 Photo Boat Mail: Train & Steamer From India To Ceylon, 1890 Photo Map Of The Lands Of Tippoo Saheb (Tipu Sultan), 1792 Map View of Haji Ali & Worli From Mahalaxmi 19C Bombay, 1880 Photo Grant Road Railway Station British Era Bombay, 1870 Photo Hotel D’Angelis’ Parisian Garden Restaurant Madras, 1907 Photo Enchanting View of Girgaum, British Era Bombay, 1900 Photo Looking Towards Sea From Fort St George Madras, 1880 Photo Commercial Road In Ooty During British Era, 1930 Postcard Hotel Taj Mahal & Building The Gateway Of India Bombay, 1922 PC Raja Ravi Varma’s Inspiring Models – 2 Postcards 1900 Tipu Sultan’s Ceded Territories After His Defeat, 1800 Map Grand View of Victoria Terminus & BMC Bombay, 1895 Photo Early Aviation, First Flight From England To India, 1918 Print First Non-Stop Flight From England To India, 1929 Newspaper Clip Pamban Railway Bridge Washed Away By Cyclone, 1964 Photo Rare Glimpse of British East India Company Calcutta,1860 Photo British Era Madras Boat Club Regatta, Old Print 1909 Construction of India’s Parliament House Delhi, Old Print 1924 The Taj Mahal Disguised In WWII – 2 Photos 1942  Rare 1792 Newspaper Report On The Defeat of Tipu Sultan The Parisian Garden Of Hotel D’Angelis Madras, 1907 Photo End Of British Raj In India Last Battalion Parade, 1948 Print Scale Model of Queen Victoria Memorial Hall Calcutta, 1905 Print The First Viceroy To Arrive In India By Air, 1943 Photo Early Indian Aviation, Monoplane In Calcutta – 2 Photos 1913 Making of Bombay’s Famous Marine Drive, 1923 Photo Rare View of Delhi Electric Tram, Old Photo 1950 Calcutta To London Flight By Flying Boat, 1946 Print Overland Route To India Before Opening of Suez Canal, 1851 Map South Parade Road During British Era Bangalore, 1895 Photo Constructing Gateway Of India Bombay, 1922 Photo Origin Of The British East India Company, 1903 Print  Qutub Minar Showing The Basement, 1880 Photo Old Map of Madras Harbour In British Era 1884 Frere The Man Who Transformed Bombay, 1870 Photo Elephant Battles Lion Watercolour Sketch British India, 1837 Hot-Air Balloon Accident In British Era Bombay, 1891 Print Hiding The Taj Mahal In World War II – 2 Rare Old Photos 1942 Boat Mail Train Runs On The New Pamban Bridge, 3 Photos 1914 Early View Of Flora Fountain In 19th Century Bombay, 1880 Photo India’s Beginning Into Early Aviation, 1912 Print Inauguration Of Indian Airlines By Jawaharlal Nehru, 1953 Photo British Flag Flying Over Viceroy’s House Delhi,1931 Photo The New Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Bombay, 1903 Photo Delhi Durbar of 1877 In Honour of Queen Victoria, 1877 Photo Installation of Pamban Railway Bridge British India Era, 1914 Print Officer’s Mess House Inside Fort St George Madras, 1870 Photo Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard The Stone Elephant Of Elephanta Island Bombay, 1850 Print The Inauguration Of New Delhi, 1931 Programme Card From England To India Through The Suez Canal, 1880 Photo Aerial View of Fort William & Hooghly Calcutta, 1930 Bombay Gymkhana And Cricket At Azad Maidan, 1900 Photo Glimpse of British Women In India, Photo 1887 British Restaurant At Pune, Old 1900 Postcard Bhageerathi, The Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1870 Photo Darjeeling Toy Train, Old Stereo Photo 1908 War Biplane At Cochin Air Base WWII – 2 PCs 1942 British Women In Field Sports India, Photo 1890 Rare Glimpse of British Audience In Colonial Era India, 1880 Photo The Inauguration Day of New Delhi, 1931 Photo Flying Boat Biplanes During British India Era, 1930 Photo Nilgiri Mountain Railway: Steam Train’s Test Run, 1899 Photo Early Aviation Biplane In British India Era, 1913 Times of India The Newly Completed Gateway Of India Bombay, 1924 Photo Senate House Across The Cooum Madras, 1879 Photo First White Man To Climb The Taj Mahal, 1927 Photo  Cannon Accident Fort St George Madras, 1870 Print Viceroy’s Camp At The Delhi Durbar, Old Photo 1877 The First Airmails From India to England In 1929, Old Photo  Geoffrey Clarke Of First Airmail Flight in India 1911, Old Photo  Flying Boat Airline In British India Era, 2 Rare Clippings 1944 Elephanta Caves Mumbai British Era, Old Photo 1880 Electric Trams In Madras During British India Era, 1973 Print Construction of Umaid Bhavan Palace Jodhpur, 1936 Postcard Madras Central Railway Station Before Installing The Clocks, 1874 Chepauk Palace Chennai From The River, Old Photo 1880 Newly Completed Moore Market Madras, 1900 Postcard Esplanade & Madras Christian College, Old Photo 1877 Reclamation For The Gateway Of India Bombay, 1914 Photo Newly Completed Crawford Market Mumbai 1870 British Couple In Colonial India, 1877 Photo WWII Indian Made Armoured Vehicle, 1942 Photo Indian Railways One Hundred Years – Old Book 1953 Life In British India Horseshoe Work, 1890 Photo The Experimental Steam Tram of Calcutta, 1900 Postcard Electric Trams During The British Era In Madras, 2 Photos 1911 Britishers At A Badminton Party India – Old 1880 Photo Khadakwasla Lake In British Era Poona, 1870 Photo Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo And Gandhi – 2 Old Photos Public Works Office Building British Era Bombay, 1872 Photo Europeans In Horse Carriage Lalbagh Bangalore, 1898 British Business In Colonial Era India, 1888 Photo Route Of The SMS Emden In WWI – Vintage Map 1930 Our Journey Around The World – 1894 Book 1808 The Baby Elephant Antique Print From Buffon Electric Trams of Madras 1930- Old Photo Tennis In Action In Coonoor Nilgiri Hills, 1894 Photo Tennis Game During British India Era, 1885 Photo Panoramic View Of British Era Bombay, Rare 1905 Postcards Central Province Railway or Shakuntala Railway – Old Photo Domestic Life During British India Era, 1890 Photo 1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Art Abstract (#17) Arunachaleswarar Temple Bombay Postal Censor, 1915 Postcard 1894 Kottayam Travancore Postcard Experimental P.O. Cancellation Nilgiri Railway, Ooty Toy Train Locomotive’s Blueprint 1890 The Dutch Capture of Cochin From The Portuguese, 1702 Plan View Of Fort Cochin & Town, Antique Plan 1704 Bombay To Mahabaleshwar Motor Car Rally In 1906 Crawford Market In 19th Century Bombay, 1874 Print Malik-i-Maidan, One of the World’s Largest Cannons, 1880 Photo Brahmin Family In India, 1861 Print M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Beautiful Lady (#6) Fort St George Northern View Madras, 1872 Photo Test Run of The Nilgiri Mountain Railway Train, 1899 Photo Making Of The Mullaperiyar Dam, 1895 Print Coir Retting By Women In Travancore, 1870 Photo A Glimpse of Life In British India Era, 1865 Photo A Page On Calicut From A Rare 1713 Latin Book Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Bombay, Rare 1905 Advertisement Earliest Motor Car In Colaba Bombay – Old Photo 1900 Nazi Germany’s Map of Bombay With Eagle & Swastika Seal 1940s Raja Ravi Varma’s Balamani Actress, 1902 Postcard Raja Ravi Varma’s Portrait Photo, 1906 Postcard Birth of Shakuntala The First Oleograph of Raja Ravi Varma 1894 European Women In Bullock Cart British India, 1900 PC  Earliest View of Bowring Institute In Bangalore, 1890 Postcard European Girls Cycling At Commercial Street Bangalore, 1904 PC Cooum River In 19th Century Madaras, 1880 Photo Inauguration Of Parliament Building Delhi – Old Photo 1927 Horse-Drawn Tram In Calcutta, 1880 Photo South Parade Road British Era Bangalore, 1880 Photo British Cantonment Area Bangalore, 1880 Photo

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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