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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2026-03-15T06:10:12+05:30
1894 photograph of Marina Beach and Senate House in Madras showing Fort St George, Cooum River mouth, and Marina Promenade
Sweeping View Of The Marina & Senate House Madras, 1894
Gallery

Sweeping View Of The Marina & Senate House Madras, 1894

Sweeping View Of The Marina & Senate House Madras, 1894

Sweeping View Of The Marina & Senate House Madras, 1894 An 1894 photograph with a sweeping view of the Marina ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-22T22:02:51+05:30
Empress of India Saloon At Fort Bombay, 1886 East India Postcard
Empress of India Saloon At Fort Bombay, 1886 Postcard
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Empress of India Saloon At Fort Bombay, 1886 Postcard

Empress of India Saloon At Fort Bombay, 1886 Postcard

Empress of India Saloon At Fort Bombay, 1886 East India Postcard An old 1886 East India Company Empress of India ....read more

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devmaster2026-02-03T07:54:14+05:30
Taj Mahal camouflaged with bamboo scaffolding during World War II in 1942, with Vijayalakshmi Pandit and Madame Chiang Kai-shek visible, Agra, India.
How the Taj Mahal Was Hidden During World War II, 1942 Photo
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How the Taj Mahal Was Hidden During World War II, 1942 Photo

How the Taj Mahal Was Hidden During World War II, 1942 Photo

How the Taj Mahal Was Hidden During World War II, 1942 Photo In 1942, at the height of World War ....read more

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devmaster2026-03-20T14:07:53+05:30
Vintage 1890 photograph of a large Kashmir houseboat being poled along a calm river, possibly the Jhelum, with three men navigating the floating structure.
Rare 1890 Photograph Shows A Moving Houseboat In Kashmir
Gallery

Rare 1890 Photograph Shows A Moving Houseboat In Kashmir

Rare 1890 Photograph Shows A Moving Houseboat In Kashmir

Rare 1890 Photograph Shows A Moving Houseboat In Kashmir A remarkable photograph from around 1890 captures an unusual and almost ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-25T14:34:46+05:30
Storming & Taking Bangalore By Marquis Cornwallis, 1800 Print
Storming & Taking Bangalore By Marquis Cornwallis, 1800 Print
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Storming & Taking Bangalore By Marquis Cornwallis, 1800 Print

Storming & Taking Bangalore By Marquis Cornwallis, 1800 Print

Storming & Taking Bangalore By Marquis Cornwallis, 1800 Print An 1800 print showing Marquis Cornwallis and his men storming and ....read more

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devmaster2026-02-12T00:31:42+05:30
1890 aerial view of Bombay showing Colaba, Oval Maidan, Back Bay, Rajabai Clock Tower, and the Secretariat Building.
View of Colaba, Esplanade & Back Bay British Era Bombay, 1890
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View of Colaba, Esplanade & Back Bay British Era Bombay, 1890

View of Colaba, Esplanade & Back Bay British Era Bombay, 1890

Aerial View of Colaba, Esplanade & Back Bay In British Bombay, 1890 Photo An 1890 aerial view captures a sweeping ....read more

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devmaster2025-01-18T14:03:57+05:30
Construction In Progress of Parliament House Delhi, 1925 Postcard
Construction of India’s Parliament House New Delhi, 1925 Postcard
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Construction of India’s Parliament House New Delhi, 1925 Postcard

Construction of India’s Parliament House New Delhi, 1925 Postcard

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devmaster2024-08-22T16:57:32+05:30
News of Siege Of Nandi Durg Fort By Cornwallis, 1792 Newspaper
Siege Of Nandi Durg Fort By Cornwallis, 1792 Newspaper
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Siege Of Nandi Durg Fort By Cornwallis, 1792 Newspaper

Siege Of Nandi Durg Fort By Cornwallis, 1792 Newspaper

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devmaster2026-03-15T06:10:35+05:30
1890 view of Flora Fountain in Bombay with horse-drawn trams and bullock carts at MG Road and DN Road junction.
View of Flora Fountain in 19th Century Bombay, 1890 Photo
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View of Flora Fountain in 19th Century Bombay, 1890 Photo

View of Flora Fountain in 19th Century Bombay, 1890 Photo

View of Flora Fountain in 19th Century Bombay, 1890 Photo An 1890 photograph offers a striking view of Flora Fountain ....read more

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devmaster2026-02-15T10:55:08+05:30
1890 photo of European women and child sailing in a boat in British-era Purulia, Bengal
European Women Sailing in Colonial-Era Bengal, 1890 Photo
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European Women Sailing in Colonial-Era Bengal, 1890 Photo

European Women Sailing in Colonial-Era Bengal, 1890 Photo

European Women Sailing in Colonial-Era Bengal, 1890 Photo A rare 1890 photograph captures four European women and a child seated ....read more

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The First Oleograph Published From Raja Ravi Varma Press 1894

Past-India.com

PRESERVING INDIA’S AMAZING PAST

Welcome to Past-India.com, a unique archive that brings India’s history to life through an extraordinary collection of antique and vintage treasures. This curated selection includes Raja Ravi Varma oleographs, vintage art, old photographs, old postcards, historic prints, vintage maps, plans, and books, all connected to the rich heritage of India.

A Journey Through India’s History

Our collection offers a vivid glimpse into what India looked like in the past and how it evolved through the centuries. Few maybe knowing that trams once operated in Bombay (Mumbai), Madras (Chennai), Delhi, and Calcutta (Kolkata). Public transportation in India began with horse-drawn trams, later replaced by electric trams in the early 1900s. Madras was the first city in India to introduce the electric tram. Among our rarest pieces is an 1880 Calcutta Tramways proposed route map for horse-drawn trams.

Rare Historical Treasures

From wartime secrets to technological milestones, our collection spans diverse chapters of Indian history:

  • Taj Mahal Camouflage – During World War II, the Taj Mahal was camouflaged to protect it from possible German and Japanese air attacks.

  • Maritime History – Includes a glass slide of the first steam paddle ship “Enterprise” that sailed from England to India in 1825.

  • Bombay’s Transformation – An 1880 photograph reveals a barren Haji Ali landscape with a semi-forested Worli in the distance.

  • Historic Newspapers – A 1791 London newspaper reporting on the 3rd Anglo-Mysore War and a 1792 edition announcing Tipu Sultan’s defeat.

  • Early Aviation in India – Rare photographs and prints from 1913 to the 1940s.

  • Railway Heritage – A photograph of the first train journey from Bombay to Thana.

The Crown Jewel – Raja Ravi Varma’s First Oleograph

The pride of our archive is Raja Ravi Varma’s “Birth of Shakuntala” (1894), the very first oleograph produced at the Raja Ravi Varma Fine Arts Lithograph Press. This masterpiece holds the distinction of being the first oleograph ever printed in India.

Experience History Firsthand

As the saying goes, seeing is believing. We invite you to explore our collection, immerse yourself in India’s remarkable past. The scans displayed are from our collection only.

📩 Contact us: info@past-india.com | bitp.in@gmail.com

Popular & Rare

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Past India

You can scroll down from the home page or go to the main categories shown on the top yellow band with drop downs of sub-categories (the "Art & Raja Ravi Varma Collection" does not have sub-category). Check out each category and subcategory for an interesting collection of art, photos, postcards, prints, maps, books, etc. These depict varied subjects of an amazing Past India that we may have forgotten; from people on the streets to spectacular events like Delhi durbars to farewell ceremony at Apollo Bunder, from Taj Mahal to Gateway of India, from residential to commercial areas, from exterior to interior of homes, glimpses of British and Indians daily life, India's early aviation from 1911 to 1940s, and so on. This site also includes a photo of "Charlie Chaplin" with his autographed sign on the back. Check also Raja Ravi Varma’s portrait photo, oleographs. Ravi Varma's wife's photo, etc. Additionally there are photos, postcards, prints on the Indian railway, vintage motor cars, old maps of India, old books, etc. Just like the saying goes "A picture is worth a thousand words" likewise the case with this site. The scans displayed are only from our personal collection and not from any other source unless otherwise specified.

Contact us:

info@past-india.com
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