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···1718192021···128129Next
devmaster2023-12-28T23:12:07+05:30
elphinstone college kala ghoda
Elphinstone College, Kala Ghoda & Trams Bombay, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

Elphinstone College, Kala Ghoda & Trams Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Elphinstone College, Kala Ghoda & Trams Bombay, 1900 Postcard

Elphinstone College, Kala Ghoda & Trams Bombay, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard of Elphinstone College, Kala Ghoda, and trams in ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2023-12-28T09:41:47+05:30
fire brigade bombay
Fire Brigade In British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard
Gallery

Fire Brigade In British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard

Fire Brigade In British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard

Fire Brigade In British Era Bombay, 1910 Postcard A 1910 postcard of a fire brigade in action in British-era Bombay ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-04-07T15:21:57+05:30
Historic 1942 view of the Gateway of India at Apollo Bunder in Bombay (Mumbai), showing the iconic colonial monument near the Taj Mahal Hotel waterfront.
Gateway Of India When King & Queen Passed Through, 1942
Gallery

Gateway Of India When King & Queen Passed Through, 1942

Gateway Of India When King & Queen Passed Through, 1942

Gateway Of India When King & Queen Passed Through, 1942 Photo  A striking 1942 photograph of the Gateway of India ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-05-09T23:36:06+05:30
Panoramic 1880 view of colonial Calcutta (Kolkata) showing the Esplanade grounds with military tents, Government House, and distant St. Paul’s Cathedral during British India.
Panoramic View of 19th Century British Era Calcutta, 1880 Photo
Gallery

Panoramic View of 19th Century British Era Calcutta, 1880 Photo

Panoramic View of 19th Century British Era Calcutta, 1880 Photo

Panoramic View of 19th Century British Era Calcutta, 1880 Photo An 1880 photograph captures a panoramic view of 19th-century Calcutta ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2023-12-23T16:54:49+05:30
war memorial bombay
Port Trust War Memorial Ballard Estate Bombay – 2 PCs 1935
Gallery

Port Trust War Memorial Ballard Estate Bombay – 2 PCs 1935

Port Trust War Memorial Ballard Estate Bombay – 2 PCs 1935

Port Trust War Memorial Ballard Estate Bombay - 2 PCs 1935 pastindia.com Two 1935 postcards of the Port ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2023-12-23T16:10:53+05:30
parsi festival
Parsi Festival At The Back Bay Beach, 1905 Postcard
Gallery

Parsi Festival At The Back Bay Beach, 1905 Postcard

Parsi Festival At The Back Bay Beach, 1905 Postcard

Parsi Festival At The Back Bay Beach, 1905 Postcard A 1905 postcard of Parsis celebrating a festival day at the ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-11-25T07:56:57+05:30
19th-century view of Colaba Green in British-era Bombay during the cotton boom, showing open grounds, colonial structures, and the early development of Mumbai’s southern tip.
Colaba Green And The Cotton Boom In Bombay, 3 Postcards 1900
Gallery

Colaba Green And The Cotton Boom In Bombay, 3 Postcards 1900

Colaba Green And The Cotton Boom In Bombay, 3 Postcards 1900

Colaba Green And The Cotton Boom In Bombay, 3 Postcards 1900 Three 1900s postcards of Cotton Green at Colaba in ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-05-21T01:10:12+05:30
1880 panoramic photograph of Bombay from Malabar Hill showing Back Bay, future Marine Drive coastline, Chowpatty, and Lakdi Bunder timber depot.
19th C. View of Marine Drive from Malabar Hill Bombay,1880 Photo
Gallery

19th C. View of Marine Drive from Malabar Hill Bombay,1880 Photo

19th C. View of Marine Drive from Malabar Hill Bombay,1880 Photo

19th Century View of Marine Drive from Malabar Hill, Bombay, 1880 Photo An 1880 photograph captures a view of Marine ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2026-05-24T05:47:16+05:30
1905 photograph of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Bombay Mumbai overlooking Apollo Bunder before the construction of the Gateway of IndiaBombay In British Era, 1904 Photo1
Tata’s Iconic Taj Mahal Hotel In British Era Bombay, 1904 Photo
Gallery

Tata’s Iconic Taj Mahal Hotel In British Era Bombay, 1904 Photo

Tata’s Iconic Taj Mahal Hotel In British Era Bombay, 1904 Photo

Tata's Iconic Taj Mahal Hotel In British Era Bombay, 1904 Photo A 1905 photograph captures the early grandeur of Bombay’s ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-07-18T06:14:52+05:30
Bombay's Iconic Rajabai Clock Tower British Era, 1890 Photo1
Bombay’s Iconic Rajabai Clock Tower British Era, 1890 Photo
Gallery

Bombay’s Iconic Rajabai Clock Tower British Era, 1890 Photo

Bombay’s Iconic Rajabai Clock Tower British Era, 1890 Photo

Bombay's Iconic Rajabai Clock Tower British Era, 1890 Photo An 1890 photocrom or color photograph of Bombay's iconic Rajabai Clock ....read more

Learn More
Previous12···1718192021···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