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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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Crowded electric tram No. 16 of Madras Electric Tramways Limited in British-era Madras, circa 1900.
Rare Views of Madras Electric Trams, 1900 (3 Photos)
Gallery

Rare Views of Madras Electric Trams, 1900 (3 Photos)

Rare Views of Madras Electric Trams, 1900 (3 Photos)

Rare Views of Madras Electric Trams, 1900 (3 Photos) At the turn of the 20th century, electric trams were transforming ....read more

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devmaster2026-02-24T16:39:44+05:30
1880 photograph of Victoria Terminus and Bombay Municipal Corporation building with horse-drawn trams in Bombay.
Panoramic View of Bombay’s Victoria Terminus & BMC, 1895 Photo
Gallery

Panoramic View of Bombay’s Victoria Terminus & BMC, 1895 Photo

Panoramic View of Bombay’s Victoria Terminus & BMC, 1895 Photo

Panoramic View of Bombay's Victoria Terminus & BMC, 1895 This rare 1895 photograph offers a striking panoramic view of Victoria ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-16T08:11:35+05:30
Beautiful Byculla In British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard
Beautiful Byculla British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard
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Beautiful Byculla British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard

Beautiful Byculla British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard

Beautiful Byculla British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard An old 1910 photo postcard of the once beautiful Byculla in British Era ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-15T22:56:03+05:30
Old Oriental Building At Flora Fountain Bombay, 1900 Postcard
Old Oriental Building At Flora Fountain Bombay, 1900 Postcard
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Old Oriental Building At Flora Fountain Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Old Oriental Building At Flora Fountain Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Old Oriental Building At Flora Fountain Bombay, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard of the old Oriental building at Flora Fountain ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-15T18:49:02+05:30
British Era Schools In Bombay - 3 Postcards 1900
British Era Schools In Bombay – 3 Postcards 1900
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British Era Schools In Bombay – 3 Postcards 1900

British Era Schools In Bombay – 3 Postcards 1900

British Era Schools In Bombay - 3 Postcards 1900 Three postcards from 1900 to 1920s show British-era schools in Bombay ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-15T17:27:00+05:30
Train Accident On The Dehradun Railway Line, 1906 Postcard
Train Accident On The Dehradun Railway Line, 1906 Postcard
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Train Accident On The Dehradun Railway Line, 1906 Postcard

Train Accident On The Dehradun Railway Line, 1906 Postcard

Train Accident On The Dehradun Railway Line, 1906 Postcard An old 1906 postcard that shows a train accident on the ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-15T12:28:13+05:30
Viceroy of India's Special Train In Bombay, 1904 Postcard
Viceroy of India’s Special Train In Bombay, 1904 Postcard
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Viceroy of India’s Special Train In Bombay, 1904 Postcard

Viceroy of India’s Special Train In Bombay, 1904 Postcard

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devmaster2024-01-15T07:04:58+05:30
WWI Major Gurdial First Flight & Sikh Infantry Unit, 1916 Print
WWI Major Gurdial’s First Flight & Sikh Infantry Unit, 1916 Print
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WWI Major Gurdial’s First Flight & Sikh Infantry Unit, 1916 Print

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devmaster2026-02-24T16:38:24+05:30
1890 road to Malabar Hill from Back Bay Bombay with fishing boats and palm trees
Road To Malabar Hill From Back Bay In Bombay, 1890 Photo
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Road To Malabar Hill From Back Bay In Bombay, 1890 Photo

Road To Malabar Hill From Back Bay In Bombay, 1890 Photo

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devmaster2026-03-31T03:57:43+05:30
The First Steamship To Sail From England To India, 1890 Photo1
First Steamship To Sail From England To India, 1890 Glass Slide
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First Steamship To Sail From England To India, 1890 Glass Slide

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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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