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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2025-09-08T19:06:08+05:30
India’s Oldest Surviving Hotel: Great Eastern in Calcutta, 1880a
India’s Oldest Surviving Hotel: Great Eastern in Calcutta, 1880
Gallery

India’s Oldest Surviving Hotel: Great Eastern in Calcutta, 1880

India’s Oldest Surviving Hotel: Great Eastern in Calcutta, 1880

India’s Oldest Surviving Hotel: Great Eastern in Calcutta, 1880 Photo An 1880 photograph of the historic Great Eastern Hotel, one ....read more

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devmaster2023-04-08T07:14:15+05:30
Egmore Railway Station British Era Madras, 1910 PC
Egmore Railway Station British Era Madras, 1910 PC
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Egmore Railway Station British Era Madras, 1910 PC

Egmore Railway Station British Era Madras, 1910 PC

Egmore Railway Station British Era Madras, 1910 Postcard An old 1910 photo postcard of Egmore Railway Station in British-era Madras, ....read more

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devmaster2025-04-15T05:12:51+05:30
Biplane Flight, Beginning Of India's Aviation, 1912 Print1
Biplane Flight, Beginning Of India’s Aviation, 1912 Print
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Biplane Flight, Beginning Of India’s Aviation, 1912 Print

Biplane Flight, Beginning Of India’s Aviation, 1912 Print

Biplane Flight, Beginning Of India's Aviation, 1912 Print A rare image of a biplane flight at Peshawar that marked India's ....read more

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devmaster2025-06-26T22:28:06+05:30
Vintage Car Hupmobile In Coonoor, Postcard 1927
Vintage Car A Hupmobile In Coonoor, 1927 Postcard
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Vintage Car A Hupmobile In Coonoor, 1927 Postcard

Vintage Car A Hupmobile In Coonoor, 1927 Postcard

Vintage Car Hupmobile In Coonoor, 1927 Postcard A 1927 postcard of an American automobile in Coonoor, shown is a Hupmobile, ....read more

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devmaster2025-09-09T14:41:25+05:30
British Era Bombay View from Rajabai Clock Tower, 1890 Photo1
British Era Bombay View from Rajabai Clock Tower, 1890 Photo
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British Era Bombay View from Rajabai Clock Tower, 1890 Photo

British Era Bombay View from Rajabai Clock Tower, 1890 Photo

British Era Bombay View from Rajabai Clock Tower, 1890 Photo This rare 1890 photograph captures the stunning landscape of Bombay ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-14T15:57:02+05:30
The Cooum Once Charming River Of Madras - 2 Postcards 1900
The Cooum Once Charming River Of Madras – 2 Postcards 1900
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The Cooum Once Charming River Of Madras – 2 Postcards 1900

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devmaster2025-09-09T22:21:17+05:30
British Families In 19th Century Colonial India, 1880 Photo
Glimpse of Europeans In 19th Century Mysore, 1880 Photo
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Glimpse of Europeans In 19th Century Mysore, 1880 Photo

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Glimpse of Europeans In 19th Century Mysore, 1880 Photo This rare 1880 photo captures a glimpse of European life in ....read more

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devmaster2025-09-10T05:53:31+05:30
Inauguration Of Indian Airlines By Prime Minister Nehru, 1953a
Inauguration Of Indian Airlines By Prime Minister Nehru, 1953
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Inauguration Of Indian Airlines By Prime Minister Nehru, 1953

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devmaster2025-09-10T19:52:32+05:30
View of GPO & North Beach Road From Madras Harbour, 1890 a
View of GPO & North Beach Road From Madras Harbour, 1890
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View of GPO & North Beach Road From Madras Harbour, 1890

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devmaster2025-09-12T11:53:27+05:30
British Flag Flying Over Viceroy's House Delhi,1931 Photo
British Viceroy’s House, Now Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi,1931
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British Viceroy’s House, Now Rashtrapati Bhavan New Delhi,1931

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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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