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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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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
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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

One Of The Oldest Photos Of The Himalayas, From 1869 The history of Himalayan photography is filled with remarkable milestones. ....read more

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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

Fort St George, Madras: View From Inside The Defensive Walls, 1884 Photo A rare 1884 photograph of Fort St George, ....read more

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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

Bangalore Multipli City By Dr A Ravindra, 2012 Coffee Table Book Title – Bangalore Multipli City Author – Dr A ....read more

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devmaster2025-10-31T05:31:02+05:30
“British Government House Malabar Point, Bombay – colonial residence of the Governor of Bombay Presidency (now Raj Bhavan, Mumbai)” past-india.com
British Government House (Raj Bhavan) Bombay, 2 Photos 1900
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British Government House (Raj Bhavan) Bombay, 2 Photos 1900

British Government House (Raj Bhavan) Bombay, 2 Photos 1900

British Government House (Raj Bhavan) Bombay, 2 Photos 1900 The British Government House at Malabar Point, now known as Raj ....read more

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devmaster2026-01-09T08:33:39+05:30
The King of Cochin seated on a decorated elephant surrounded by Nair warriors during a royal procession in early 20th-century Kerala, India. past-india.com
King of Cochin On Royal Elephant With The Nairs, 1747 Print
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King of Cochin On Royal Elephant With The Nairs, 1747 Print

King of Cochin On Royal Elephant With The Nairs, 1747 Print

King of Cochin On Royal Elephant With The Nair Warriors, 1747 Print This rare 1747 engraved print captures the King ....read more

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devmaster2025-10-13T15:10:49+05:30
Glimpses of Cubbon Park In British Era Bangalore, 3 PCs 1900 - past-india.com
Glimpses of Cubbon Park In British Era Bangalore, 3 PCs 1900
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Glimpses of Cubbon Park In British Era Bangalore, 3 PCs 1900

Glimpses of Cubbon Park In British Era Bangalore, 3 PCs 1900

Glimpses of Cubbon Park In the British Era in Bangalore, 3 Postcards 1900 Three fascinating vintage postcards from around 1900 ....read more

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devmaster2026-03-15T06:05:25+05:30
Rare 1895 postcard of Rajibai Mulgaonkar, the famous Raja Ravi Varma model from Bombay, who inspired his depictions of Lakshmi and Saraswati -- past-india.com
1895 Postcard of Rajibai The Famous Model of Raja Ravi Varma
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1895 Postcard of Rajibai The Famous Model of Raja Ravi Varma

1895 Postcard of Rajibai The Famous Model of Raja Ravi Varma

Rare 1895 Postcard of Rajibai Mulgaonkar, The Famous Model of Raja Ravi Varma from Bombay A photo page on Rajibai ....read more

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devmaster2025-12-14T16:49:08+05:30
Connemara Library and Museum In British-Era Madras, 1885 Photo -- past-india.com
1885 Photo of India’s 2nd Oldest Museum & Library In Madras
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1885 Photo of India’s 2nd Oldest Museum & Library In Madras

1885 Photo of India’s 2nd Oldest Museum & Library In Madras

1885 Photo of India's 2nd Oldest Museum & Library In Madras (Chennai) The Madras Museum and Connemara Library in Egmore ....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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