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Bombay Coastline Sans The Taj Hotel & Gateway of India, 1900 PC
Bombay Coast Before The Taj Hotel & Gateway of India, 1900 PC
Gallery

Bombay Coast Before The Taj Hotel & Gateway of India, 1900 PC

Bombay Coast Before The Taj Hotel & Gateway of India, 1900 PC

Bombay Coast Before The Taj Hotel & Gateway of India, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard with a rare view of ....read more

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devmaster2023-07-12T18:02:49+05:30
Display Of Adoration To King-Emperor In Delhi Durbar, 1912 Print
Display Of Adoration To King-Emperor In Delhi Durbar, 1912 Print
Gallery

Display Of Adoration To King-Emperor In Delhi Durbar, 1912 Print

Display Of Adoration To King-Emperor In Delhi Durbar, 1912 Print

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devmaster2025-05-24T05:20:46+05:30
1792 Newspaper Report On Defeat of Tipu Sultan In Seringapatam
Defeat of Tipu Sultan In 3rd Anglo-Mysore War, 1792 Newspaper
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Defeat of Tipu Sultan In 3rd Anglo-Mysore War, 1792 Newspaper

Defeat of Tipu Sultan In 3rd Anglo-Mysore War, 1792 Newspaper

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devmaster2024-10-01T16:24:45+05:30
Senate House And Napier Bridge Madras, 2 PCs 1910
Senate House And Napier Bridge Madras, 2 Postcards 1910
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Senate House And Napier Bridge Madras, 2 Postcards 1910

Senate House And Napier Bridge Madras, 2 Postcards 1910

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devmaster2023-07-07T19:40:59+05:30
View Of Calcutta From The Esplanade, Old Print 1860
View Of Calcutta From The Esplanade, Old Print 1860
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View Of Calcutta From The Esplanade, Old Print 1860

View Of Calcutta From The Esplanade, Old Print 1860

View Of Calcutta From The Esplanade, Old Print 1860. An old 1860 copper engraving of the view of Calcutta from ....read more

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devmaster2025-08-10T05:49:42+05:30
Parisian Garden Of Hotel D'Angelis Madras
Parisian Garden Of Hotel D’Angelis Mount Road Madras, 1907
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Parisian Garden Of Hotel D’Angelis Mount Road Madras, 1907

Parisian Garden Of Hotel D’Angelis Mount Road Madras, 1907

The Parisian Garden Of Hotel D'Angelis Mount Road Madras, 1907 Photo  A rare 1907 photograph of the Parisian Garden of ....read more

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devmaster2025-08-13T00:32:54+05:30
Aerial Views Of The Gateway Of India In Bombay, 2 Photos 1930
Aerial Views Of The Gateway Of India Bombay, 2 Photos 1930
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Aerial Views Of The Gateway Of India Bombay, 2 Photos 1930

Aerial Views Of The Gateway Of India Bombay, 2 Photos 1930

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devmaster2024-02-12T16:48:11+05:30
Street Scene Views Of British Era Madras, 4 Postcards 1900 
Five Street Scenes Of British Era Madras, 5 Postcards 1900 
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Five Street Scenes Of British Era Madras, 5 Postcards 1900 

Five Street Scenes Of British Era Madras, 5 Postcards 1900 

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devmaster2023-07-05T11:15:30+05:30
East India Railway Howrah Terminus Calcutta, Old Postcard 1900
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East India Railway Howrah Terminus Calcutta, Old Postcard 1900

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devmaster2025-08-13T00:55:46+05:30
Five Aerial Views Of British Era Bombay, 5 Old Photos 1930
Five Aerial Views Of Bombay During British Era, 5 Photos 1930
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Five Aerial Views Of Bombay During British Era, 5 Photos 1930

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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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