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1935 magazine print showing Imperial Airways flying boats and early aircraft operating air routes between Britain and British India during the interwar aviation era
Early Years of Flying Boat Airlines In Colonial India, 1937 Print
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Early Years of Flying Boat Airlines In Colonial India, 1937 Print

Early Years of Flying Boat Airlines In Colonial India, 1937 Print

Early Years of Flying Boat Airlines In Colonial India, 1937 Print This rare four-page magazine print from 1935 offers a ....read more

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devmaster2026-01-22T17:38:21+05:30
The Dutch East India Company Residence Cape Town, 1900 PC
The Dutch East India Company Residence Cape Town, 1900 PC
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The Dutch East India Company Residence Cape Town, 1900 PC

The Dutch East India Company Residence Cape Town, 1900 PC

The Dutch East India Company Residence In Cape Town, 1900 Postcard Vintage postcard dating to 1900 depicts the former residence ....read more

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devmaster2026-01-12T02:03:54+05:30
BRV Talkies cinema on Cubbon Road in British-era Bangalore, originally part of the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers complex
BRV Talkies, British-Era Cinema Theater in Bangalore, 1942 Photo
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BRV Talkies, British-Era Cinema Theater in Bangalore, 1942 Photo

BRV Talkies, British-Era Cinema Theater in Bangalore, 1942 Photo

BRV Talkies, British-Era Cinema Theater in Bangalore, 1942 Photo A 1942 photograph of the BRV Talkies at Cubbon Road, a ....read more

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devmaster2026-01-05T06:01:54+05:30
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Madras Central Railway Station & Buckingham Canal, 1900 Photo
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Madras Central Railway Station & Buckingham Canal, 1900 Photo

Madras Central Railway Station & Buckingham Canal, 1900 Photo

Madras Central Railway Station & Buckingham Canal, 1900 Photo A 1900 photo of the Madras Central Railway Station, now known ....read more

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devmaster2026-01-09T08:33:13+05:30
Bombay’s land reclamation was largely completed by the 1850s, after nearly two and a half centuries of work.
1874 Map Of Bombay Before The Reclamation Was Completed
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1874 Map Of Bombay Before The Reclamation Was Completed

1874 Map Of Bombay Before The Reclamation Was Completed

1874 Map Of Bombay Before The Reclamation Was Completed Although the map dates to the 1870s–1880s, the islands are still ....read more

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devmaster2025-12-25T07:41:44+05:30
North Indian Folk Painting of Raja & Rani, From The 19th Century
North Indian Folk Painting of Raja & Rani, From The 19th Century
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North Indian Folk Painting of Raja & Rani, From The 19th Century

North Indian Folk Painting of Raja & Rani, From The 19th Century

North Indian Folk Painting of Raja & Rani, From The 19th Century This small framed painting appears to be a ....read more

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devmaster2025-12-16T16:26:59+05:30
Colonial-era Banqueting Hall at Madras Government House on Mount Road, now known as Rajaji Hall, Chennai
Government House & Banqueting Hall British Era Madras, 2 Photos
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Government House & Banqueting Hall British Era Madras, 2 Photos

Government House & Banqueting Hall British Era Madras, 2 Photos

Government House & Banqueting Hall, British Era Madras, 1880 Photo The first photo, taken in 1880, shows Government House and ....read more

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devmaster2026-04-10T16:24:21+05:30
19th-century panoramic view of the distant Trisul range in the Garhwal Himalayas, photographed from Northern India.
One Of The Oldest Photos Of The Himalayas, From 1869
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One Of The Oldest Photos Of The Himalayas, From 1869

One Of The Oldest Photos Of The Himalayas, From 1869

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devmaster2025-11-15T11:21:28+05:30
“1878 photo of Officers’ Mess House inside Fort St George, Madras, with Fort walls and Madras Lighthouse visible.”
Fort St George, Madras: View From Inside The Walls, 1884 Photo
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Fort St George, Madras: View From Inside The Walls, 1884 Photo

Fort St George, Madras: View From Inside The Walls, 1884 Photo

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devmaster2025-11-05T14:20:10+05:30
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Bangalore Multipli City By Dr A Ravindra, 2012 Coffee Table Book
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Bangalore Multipli City By Dr A Ravindra, 2012 Coffee Table Book

Bangalore Multipli City By Dr A Ravindra, 2012 Coffee Table Book

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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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