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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2023-09-23T17:16:27+05:30
punkahwalla
Punkahwall In The Time Of British India, 1910 Postcard
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Punkahwall In The Time Of British India, 1910 Postcard

Punkahwall In The Time Of British India, 1910 Postcard

Punkahwall In The Time Of British India, 1910 Postcard An old 1910 postcard of a punkahwalla in the time of ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-28T17:16:45+05:30
bombay-poona mail
Passenger Trains Pulled By Steam Engines Bombay – 3 PCs 1900
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Passenger Trains Pulled By Steam Engines Bombay – 3 PCs 1900

Passenger Trains Pulled By Steam Engines Bombay – 3 PCs 1900

Passenger Trains Pulled By Steam Engines Bombay - 3 PCs 1900s Three 1900s postcards of passenger trains pulled by steam ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-16T07:09:29+05:30
cooum river
The Savoury Cooum British Era Madras, Old 1910 Postcard
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The Savoury Cooum British Era Madras, Old 1910 Postcard

The Savoury Cooum British Era Madras, Old 1910 Postcard

The Savoury Cooum British Era Madras, Old 1910 Postcard   An old 1910 photo postcard with a view of the ....read more

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devmaster2023-11-12T04:54:34+05:30
apollo bunder
Five Views of British Era Bombay – 5 Postcards 1900
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Five Views of British Era Bombay – 5 Postcards 1900

Five Views of British Era Bombay – 5 Postcards 1900

Five Views of British Era Bombay - 5 Postcards 1900 Five postcards from 1900 to 1918 show five views of ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-19T20:16:04+05:30
book cover
Glimpses of India Unique Art Collection Book, By S G Thakur Singh
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Glimpses of India Unique Art Collection Book, By S G Thakur Singh

Glimpses of India Unique Art Collection Book, By S G Thakur Singh

Glimpses of India Unique Art Collection Book, By S G Thakur Singh Title - "Glimpses of India", A unique collection ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-17T06:37:30+05:30
lord curzon's durbar
Lord Curzon’s Grand Delhi Durbar of 1903, Old Print 1903
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Lord Curzon’s Grand Delhi Durbar of 1903, Old Print 1903

Lord Curzon’s Grand Delhi Durbar of 1903, Old Print 1903

Lord Curzon's Grand Delhi Durbar of 1903, Old Print 1903 An old 1903 print showing Lord Curzon's Grand Delhi Durbar ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-16T07:13:28+05:30
british lady's toilet madras
A Lady’s Toilet In British Era Madras, 1900 Postcard
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A Lady’s Toilet In British Era Madras, 1900 Postcard

A Lady’s Toilet In British Era Madras, 1900 Postcard

A Lady's Toilet In British Era Madras, 1900 Postcard     A European lady's toilet in British-era Madras (Chennai) is ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-14T10:23:10+05:30
residency view
The British Residency Now Raj Bhavan Bangalore, 1907 PC
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The British Residency Now Raj Bhavan Bangalore, 1907 PC

The British Residency Now Raj Bhavan Bangalore, 1907 PC

The British Residency Now Raj Bhavan Bangalore, 1907 PC The British Residency, now the Raj Bhavan in Bangalore (Bengaluru) shown ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-13T03:56:02+05:30
view of the elphinstone bridge
Elphinstone Bridge In British Era Madras, 1905 Postcard
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Elphinstone Bridge In British Era Madras, 1905 Postcard

Elphinstone Bridge In British Era Madras, 1905 Postcard

Elphinstone Bridge In British Era Madras, 1905 Postcard View of the Elphinstone Bridge in British Era Madras (now Chennai) in ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-12T03:12:40+05:30
view of apollo bunder
Apollo Bunder Where The Gateway Of India Now Stands, 1906 PC
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Apollo Bunder Where The Gateway Of India Now Stands, 1906 PC

Apollo Bunder Where The Gateway Of India Now Stands, 1906 PC

Apollo Bunder Where The Gateway Of India Now Stands, 1906 PC View of the charming Apollo Bunder, where the Gateway ....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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