Skip to content
Past-India Logo Past-India Logo Past-India Logo
About Past-India
  • Home
  • Art & Raja Ravi Varma Collection
  • Old India Photos
    • Bangalore Photos
    • Bombay Photos
    • Calcutta Photos
    • Delhi Photos
    • Madras Photos
    • Miscellaneous Photos
    • Other India photos
  • Old India Postcards
    • Bombay Postcards
    • Madras Postcards
    • Calcutta Postcards
    • Banglore Postcards
    • Cochin / Kerala Postcards
    • Other India Postcards
    • Miscellaneous Postcards
  • Old India Prints
    • Bombay Prints
    • Other India Prints
    • Miscellaneous Prints
  • More
    • India Railway
    • Vintage Motoring
    • Maps & Plans
    • Books & Publications
Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
Previous12···1415161718···128129Next
devmaster2024-07-21T05:57:49+05:30
Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard
Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Aghan Church Colaba British Era Bombay, 1900 Postcard An interesting 1900 photo postcard of the Afghan Church at Coloba during ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-08-28T18:46:12+05:30
Bombay Tramway, Horse & Electric Trams - 5 Postcards 1900
Bombay Tramway, Horse & Electric Trams – 5 Postcards 1900
Gallery

Bombay Tramway, Horse & Electric Trams – 5 Postcards 1900

Bombay Tramway, Horse & Electric Trams – 5 Postcards 1900

Bombay Tramway, Horse & Electric Trams - 5 Postcards 1900 SCROLL TO BOTTOM TO SEE COMPLETE IMAGES Five postcards from ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-13T14:03:38+05:30
Sewri During British Era Bombay, 1890 Postcard
Sewri During British Era Bombay, 1890 Postcard
Gallery

Sewri During British Era Bombay, 1890 Postcard

Sewri During British Era Bombay, 1890 Postcard

Sewri During British Era Bombay, 1890 Postcard An old 1890 postcard of Sewri during the British Era in Bombay (Mumbai). ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-16T06:35:14+05:30
View of British Fort George & Castle Bombay, 1809 Print
View of British Fort George & Castle Bombay, 1809 Print
Gallery

View of British Fort George & Castle Bombay, 1809 Print

View of British Fort George & Castle Bombay, 1809 Print

View of British Fort George & Castle Bombay, 1809 Print An 1809 engraved print of British Fort George and castle ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-12T19:56:24+05:30
Aerial Views of Flora Fountain, Oval & Fort Bombay - 3 PCs 1937
Aerial Views of Flora Fountain, Oval & Fort Bombay – 3 PCs 1937
Gallery

Aerial Views of Flora Fountain, Oval & Fort Bombay – 3 PCs 1937

Aerial Views of Flora Fountain, Oval & Fort Bombay – 3 PCs 1937

Aerial View of Flora Fountain, Oval Maidan & Fort Areas Bombay - 3 PCs 1937 Three 1937 postcards with aerial ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-05-26T10:18:33+05:30
1914 Graphic newspaper page showing Bombay Port expansion, Alexandra Dock, and harbour reclamation between Mazgaon and Sewri.
Rare 1914 Newspaper Shows Bombay Port’s Expansion
Gallery

Rare 1914 Newspaper Shows Bombay Port’s Expansion

Rare 1914 Newspaper Shows Bombay Port’s Expansion

Rare 1914 Newspaper Shows Bombay Port's Expansion A fascinating page from the Graphic newspaper dated March 21, 1914, captures a ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-10T20:59:16+05:30
Hornby Vellard Reclamation of Bombay - 2 Postcards 1905
Hornby Vellard Reclamation of Bombay – 2 Postcards 1905
Gallery

Hornby Vellard Reclamation of Bombay – 2 Postcards 1905

Hornby Vellard Reclamation of Bombay – 2 Postcards 1905

Hornby Vellard Reclamation of Bombay - 2 Postcards 1905 Two old postcards showing the Hornby Vellard reclamation of Bombay (Mumbai). ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-04-04T20:39:15+05:30
Queen’s Road Bombay 1900 postcard showing Back Bay promenade and a horse carriage
Queens Road, Bombay, Before Marine Drive, 2 Postcards 1900
Gallery

Queens Road, Bombay, Before Marine Drive, 2 Postcards 1900

Queens Road, Bombay, Before Marine Drive, 2 Postcards 1900

Queens Road, Bombay, Before Marine Drive, 2 Postcards 1900 Two rare postcards from circa 1900 capture the charm of Queen’s ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-04-14T16:26:07+05:30
Churchgate Railway Station Bombay - 4 Postcards 1900
Churchgate Railway Station Bombay – 2 Postcards 1900
Gallery

Churchgate Railway Station Bombay – 2 Postcards 1900

Churchgate Railway Station Bombay – 2 Postcards 1900

Churchgate Railway Station Bombay - 2 Postcards 1900  Two postcards from 1900 to 1940 show the Churchgate railway station in ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-09T21:40:00+05:30
Steam Railway Trains In British India - 6 Photo Postcards
Steam Railway Trains In British India – 6 Photo Postcards
Gallery

Steam Railway Trains In British India – 6 Photo Postcards

Steam Railway Trains In British India – 6 Photo Postcards

Steam Railway Trains In British India - 6 Photo Postcards Six photo postcards of steam railway trains in the time ....read more

Learn More
Previous12···1415161718···128129Next

blank

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

php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php

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
DMCA.com Protection Status
© Copyright | Past-India by Nubes Technologies | All Rights Reserved
Facebook