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devmaster2023-12-16T06:47:23+05:30
buckingham canal
Christmas Boating Party On Buckingham Canal Madras, 1900 PC
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Christmas Boating Party On Buckingham Canal Madras, 1900 PC

Christmas Boating Party On Buckingham Canal Madras, 1900 PC

Christmas Boating Party On The Buckingham Canal Madras, 1900 PC    A rare 1900 postcard of a Christmas Boating Party ....read more

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devmaster2023-11-17T03:33:38+05:30
colaba
Views of Colaba Reclamation British Era Bombay – 3 PCs 1900s
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Views of Colaba Reclamation British Era Bombay – 3 PCs 1900s

Views of Colaba Reclamation British Era Bombay – 3 PCs 1900s

Photo postcard of Colaba Views of Colaba Reclamation British Era Bombay - 3 PCs 1900s Printed postcard ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-16T06:58:53+05:30
shooting in british madras
Europeans At Snipe Shooting British Era Madras, 1900 PC
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Europeans At Snipe Shooting British Era Madras, 1900 PC

Europeans At Snipe Shooting British Era Madras, 1900 PC

Europeans At Snipe Shooting British Era Madras, 1900 PC   A rare 1900 postcard showing Europeans at snipe shooting in ....read more

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devmaster2025-07-30T16:36:26+05:30
Flora Fountain, Esplanade Road & Trams Bombay - 2 Photos 1895
View of Flora Fountain From Esplanade Road Bombay, 2 Photos
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View of Flora Fountain From Esplanade Road Bombay, 2 Photos

View of Flora Fountain From Esplanade Road Bombay, 2 Photos

View of Flora Fountain From Esplanade Road Bombay, 2 Photos 1895 Two 1890s photos of the Flora Fountain, Esplanade Road ....read more

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devmaster2023-10-12T04:46:44+05:30
ooty train
Ooty Train Nilgiri Mountain Railway Test Run, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

Ooty Train Nilgiri Mountain Railway Test Run, 1900 Postcard

Ooty Train Nilgiri Mountain Railway Test Run, 1900 Postcard

Ooty Train Nilgiri Mountain Railway Test Run, 1900 Postcard Old 1900 postcard of Ooty Train of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway ....read more

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devmaster2026-03-15T06:11:25+05:30
Raja Ravi Varma's Inspiring Models - 3 Postcards 1900
Bombay Songstress Model For Ravi Varma’s Painting, 1900 PC
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Bombay Songstress Model For Ravi Varma’s Painting, 1900 PC

Bombay Songstress Model For Ravi Varma’s Painting, 1900 PC

Bombay Songstress Model For Raja Ravi Varma's Painting, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard of the Bombay Songstress, a model for ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-28T19:27:12+05:30
coonoor ghat road
View Of The Ghat Road, Coonoor In The Nilgiris, 1905 Postcard
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View Of The Ghat Road, Coonoor In The Nilgiris, 1905 Postcard

View Of The Ghat Road, Coonoor In The Nilgiris, 1905 Postcard

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devmaster2024-04-18T06:39:50+05:30
Panoramic View of British Era Bombay Dock, 1914 Photo
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Panoramic View of British Era Bombay Dock, 1914 Photo

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devmaster2023-10-01T15:06:42+05:30
bentinck's building
View Of Bentinck’s Building, The Beach Madras, 1973 Postcard
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View Of Bentinck’s Building, The Beach Madras, 1973 Postcard

View Of Bentinck’s Building, The Beach Madras, 1973 Postcard

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devmaster2025-03-28T05:42:51+05:30
ooty train
Nilgiri Mountain Railway Trains Ooty Station – 3 PCs 1910
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Nilgiri Mountain Railway Trains Ooty Station – 3 PCs 1910

Nilgiri Mountain Railway Trains Ooty Station – 3 PCs 1910

Ooty's Nilgiri Mountain Railway Train & Station - 3 PCs 1910 Three 1910 photo postcards of Ooty's Nilgiri Mountain Railway ....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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