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Rashtrapati Bhavan Arising In Lutyens Delhi, 1919 Print
Rashtrapati Bhavan Arising In Lutyens Delhi, 1919 Print
Gallery

Rashtrapati Bhavan Arising In Lutyens Delhi, 1919 Print

Rashtrapati Bhavan Arising In Lutyens Delhi, 1919 Print

Rashtrapati Bhavan Arising In Lutyens Delhi, 1919 Print A rare 1919 print shows impressions of the Rashtrapati Bhavan arising in ....read more

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devmaster2024-06-03T11:48:13+05:30
Madras Harbour & Masulah Boats, 2 Postcards 1900
Madras Harbour & Masulah Boats, 2 Postcards 1900
Gallery

Madras Harbour & Masulah Boats, 2 Postcards 1900

Madras Harbour & Masulah Boats, 2 Postcards 1900

Madras Harbour & Masulah Boats, 2 Postcards 1900 Two old photo postcards of Madras harbour and Masulah boats. The postcards ....read more

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devmaster2024-10-01T16:45:08+05:30
Apollo Bunder Once The Harbour of Bombay - 3 PCs 1900
Apollo Bunder Once Bombay’s Harbour – 3 Postcards 1900
Gallery

Apollo Bunder Once Bombay’s Harbour – 3 Postcards 1900

Apollo Bunder Once Bombay’s Harbour – 3 Postcards 1900

Apollo Bunder Once Bombay's Harbour - 3 Postcards 1900 Three 1900s postcards of Apollo Bunder once Bombay's harbour, now where ....read more

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devmaster2023-06-28T19:15:07+05:30
1914 Old Book - Strangers Within The Gates
1914 Old Book – Strangers Within The Gates
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1914 Old Book – Strangers Within The Gates

1914 Old Book – Strangers Within The Gates

1914 Old Book - Strangers Within The Gates Title - Strangers Within The Gates Author - Gabrielle Festing Publishers - ....read more

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devmaster2023-08-07T16:25:20+05:30
End Of British Raj In India Last Battalion Parade, 1948 Print
End Of British Raj In India Last Battalion Parade, 1948 Print
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End Of British Raj In India Last Battalion Parade, 1948 Print

End Of British Raj In India Last Battalion Parade, 1948 Print

End Of British Raj In India Last Battalion Parade, 1948 Print An old 1948 print captioned End of British Raj ....read more

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scale model victoria memorial hall calcutta
Scale Model of Queen Victoria Memorial Hall Calcutta, 1905 Print
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Scale Model of Queen Victoria Memorial Hall Calcutta, 1905 Print

Scale Model of Queen Victoria Memorial Hall Calcutta, 1905 Print

Scale Model of Queen Victoria Memorial Hall Calcutta, 1905 Print An old 1905 print showing the plaster model of Victoria Memorial ....read more

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Bombay Coastline With The Taj Mahal Hotel - 4 Postcard 1906
Bombay Coast Showing The Taj Mahal Hotel – 4 Postcards 1906
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Bombay Coast Showing The Taj Mahal Hotel – 4 Postcards 1906

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The First British Viceroy to Arrive in India by Air, 1943 Photo1
The First British Viceroy To Arrive In India By Air, 1943 Photo
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The First British Viceroy To Arrive In India By Air, 1943 Photo

The First British Viceroy To Arrive In India By Air, 1943 Photo

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devmaster2025-08-15T12:47:02+05:30
British Troops In Nizam's Hyderabad, Old Photo 1900
Photo Session of British Troops In Nizam’s Hyderabad, 1900 Photo
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Photo Session of British Troops In Nizam’s Hyderabad, 1900 Photo

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devmaster2024-01-10T05:20:12+05:30
Royal Train For Prince of Wales India Tour, 1905 Print
Royal Train For Prince of Wales India Tour, 1905 Print
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Royal Train For Prince of Wales India Tour, 1905 Print

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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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