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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2023-09-13T04:07:51+05:30
picture
First Proposed Design of Victoria Memorial In Allahabad, 1903 print
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First Proposed Design of Victoria Memorial In Allahabad, 1903 print

First Proposed Design of Victoria Memorial In Allahabad, 1903 print

The First Proposed Design of Victoria Memorial In Allahabad, 1903 print. Close up view of the print's title ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-11T16:31:04+05:30
apollo bunder
Surrounding Buildings At Apollo Bunder In Bombay – 3 PCs 1900
Gallery

Surrounding Buildings At Apollo Bunder In Bombay – 3 PCs 1900

Surrounding Buildings At Apollo Bunder In Bombay – 3 PCs 1900

Surrounding Buildings At Apollo Bunder In Bombay - 3 PCs 1900 Three old postcards show the surrounding building at Apollo ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-11T05:17:27+05:30
madras steam locomotive
Steam Locomotives That Had Puffed Across India – 5 PCs
Gallery

Steam Locomotives That Had Puffed Across India – 5 PCs

Steam Locomotives That Had Puffed Across India – 5 PCs

Steam Locomotives That Had Puffed Across India Once - 5 PCs   Taj Express, Delhi to Agra ....read more

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devmaster2024-08-24T18:37:08+05:30
map of tipu's territories
Tipu Sultan’s Ceded Territories After His Defeat, 1800 Map
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Tipu Sultan’s Ceded Territories After His Defeat, 1800 Map

Tipu Sultan’s Ceded Territories After His Defeat, 1800 Map

Tipu Sultan's Ceded Territories After His Defeat, 1800 Map  A rare map from 1800 showing the territories ceded by Tipu ....read more

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devmaster2025-07-31T17:46:19+05:30
View Of Harbour From Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1900 Photo
View Of Harbour From Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1900 Photo
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View Of Harbour From Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1900 Photo

View Of Harbour From Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1900 Photo

View Of Harbour From Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1900 Photo A 1900 photograph of the view of harbour from Apollo Bunder ....read more

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devmaster2024-06-02T17:53:00+05:30
view of the parisian garden
Hotel D’angelis View of Restaurant & Balcony Madras, 1912 PC
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Hotel D’angelis View of Restaurant & Balcony Madras, 1912 PC

Hotel D’angelis View of Restaurant & Balcony Madras, 1912 PC

Hotel D'angelis View of Restaurant & Balcony Madras, 1912 Postcard A 1912 postcard of the Hotel D'Angelis with a panoramic ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-16T07:19:11+05:30
british dometic life madras
A Britisher’s Domestic Life In Madras – 2 Postcards 1900
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A Britisher’s Domestic Life In Madras – 2 Postcards 1900

A Britisher’s Domestic Life In Madras – 2 Postcards 1900

A Britisher's Domestic Life In Madras - 2 Postcards 1900 Two interesting 1900 photo postcards depict tub scenes of a ....read more

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devmaster2023-09-03T11:30:29+05:30
madras port
Landing Troops From HMS Dufferin At Madras Port, 1905 PC
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Landing Troops From HMS Dufferin At Madras Port, 1905 PC

Landing Troops From HMS Dufferin At Madras Port, 1905 PC

Landing Troops From HMS Dufferin At Madras Port, 1905 PC Old 1905 photo postcard that shows the landing of troops ....read more

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devmaster2025-08-01T00:16:13+05:30
Aerial Views Of The Gateway Of India In Bombay - 2 Photos 1930
The Government Secretariat Building Bombay, 2 Photos 1875
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The Government Secretariat Building Bombay, 2 Photos 1875

The Government Secretariat Building Bombay, 2 Photos 1875

The Government Secretariat Building Bombay, 2 Photos 1875 Two 1875 photos of the Government Secretariat during the British era in ....read more

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devmaster2025-08-01T06:02:57+05:30
View of Victoria Terminus, BMC & Horse Trams Bombay, 1895
Spectacular View Of Victoria Terminus & BMC Bombay, 1895 Photo
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Spectacular View Of Victoria Terminus & BMC Bombay, 1895 Photo

Spectacular View Of Victoria Terminus & BMC Bombay, 1895 Photo

Spectacular View Of Victoria Terminus & BMC In British Era Bombay, 1895 Photo A spectacular panoramic view of the Victoria ....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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