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devmaster2023-10-27T04:13:10+05:30
madras harbour
View of Harbour & Parry’s Corner From Lighthouse – 2 PCs 1900
Gallery

View of Harbour & Parry’s Corner From Lighthouse – 2 PCs 1900

View of Harbour & Parry’s Corner From Lighthouse – 2 PCs 1900

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devmaster2025-11-13T07:49:47+05:30
A 1926 photo postcard of the first airline flight to India from England, carrying passengers and mail. The airline was operated by Imperial Airways, now known as British Airways.
First Airliner To India From England, 1926 Postcard
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First Airliner To India From England, 1926 Postcard

First Airliner To India From England, 1926 Postcard

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devmaster2024-10-02T06:42:48+05:30
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Constructing Gateway Of India & Hotel Taj Mahal Bombay 1922 PC
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Constructing Gateway Of India & Hotel Taj Mahal Bombay 1922 PC

Constructing Gateway Of India & Hotel Taj Mahal Bombay 1922 PC

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St Mary's First British Church In India, Madras, 1880 Photo
St Mary’s First British Church In India, Madras, 1880 Photo
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St Mary’s First British Church In India, Madras, 1880 Photo

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Anglo-Indian Community During British India Era, 1957 Photo
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Anglo-Indian Community During British India Era, 1957 Photo

Anglo-Indian Community During British India Era, 1957 Photo

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rare chocolate advertisement
The French Seize British Madras 1746, Chromo Advertising 1890
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The French Seize British Madras 1746, Chromo Advertising 1890

The French Seize British Madras 1746, Chromo Advertising 1890

The French Seize British Madras 1746, Chromo Advertising 1890 A rare 1890 chromo advertisement card on the French seizing British ....read more

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devmaster2025-01-22T05:21:34+05:30
st marks church
St Mark’s Church In British Era Bangalore, 1910 Postcard
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St Mark’s Church In British Era Bangalore, 1910 Postcard

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Temple Arts of Kerala, Old Book 1982
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Temple Arts of Kerala, Old Book 1982

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Mumbai’s Famous Marine Drive – 7 Old Postcards
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Royal Alfred Sailor's Home In Bombay, 1900 Photo
Royal Alfred Sailor’s Home In Bombay, 1900 Photo
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Royal Alfred Sailor’s Home In Bombay, 1900 Photo

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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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