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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2024-02-15T17:10:57+05:30
Buckingham Canal Old Waterway of Madras, 1900 PC
Buckingham Canal Old Waterway of Madras, 1900 PC
Gallery

Buckingham Canal Old Waterway of Madras, 1900 PC

Buckingham Canal Old Waterway of Madras, 1900 PC

Buckingham Canal Old Waterway of Madras, 1900 PC An old 1900 postcard of the Buckingham Canal an old waterway of ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-15T17:22:13+05:30
Senate House & Cooum River Madras, 1920 Postcard 
Senate House & Cooum River Madras, 1920 Postcard 
Gallery

Senate House & Cooum River Madras, 1920 Postcard 

Senate House & Cooum River Madras, 1920 Postcard 

Senate House & Cooum River Madras, 1920 Postcard An old 1920 photo postcard that shows the Senate House and Cooum ....read more

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devmaster2024-06-16T00:22:27+05:30
Viceroy Of British India's Civil Servant, 1919 Postcard
Viceroy Of British India’s Civil Servant, 1919 Postcard
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Viceroy Of British India’s Civil Servant, 1919 Postcard

Viceroy Of British India’s Civil Servant, 1919 Postcard

Viceroy Of British India's Civil Servant, 1919 Postcard  An old 1919 postcard of a Viceroy of British India's civil servant. ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-16T03:56:30+05:30
King George & Queen Mary Parade In Bombay - 2 PCs 1911
King George & Queen Mary Parade In Bombay – 2 PCs 1911
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King George & Queen Mary Parade In Bombay – 2 PCs 1911

King George & Queen Mary Parade In Bombay – 2 PCs 1911

King George & Queen Mary Parade In Bombay - 2 PCs 1911   Two 1911 postcards of King George V ....read more

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devmaster2023-02-22T18:39:35+05:30
Elephanta Caves & Trimurti Bombay, 2 Photo 1900
Elephanta Caves & Trimurti Bombay, 2 Photos 1900
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Elephanta Caves & Trimurti Bombay, 2 Photos 1900

Elephanta Caves & Trimurti Bombay, 2 Photos 1900

Elephanta Caves & Trimurti Bombay, 2 Photos 1900 Two old 1900 photos of the Elephanta Caves and Trimurti in Bombay, ....read more

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devmaster2023-02-22T13:04:03+05:30
Central Walk Victoria Gardens Mumbai, 1900 Photo
Central Walk Victoria Gardens Mumbai, 1900 Photo
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Central Walk Victoria Gardens Mumbai, 1900 Photo

Central Walk Victoria Gardens Mumbai, 1900 Photo

Central Walk Victoria Gardens Mumbai, 1900 Photo Old 1900 photo of the central walk in Victoria Gardens, Bombay, now Mumbai. ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-19T06:27:15+05:30
British India Era Social Life In Madras & Poona, Old 1910 Print
Victoria Terminus Railway Station Bombay, 1900 Photo
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Victoria Terminus Railway Station Bombay, 1900 Photo

Victoria Terminus Railway Station Bombay, 1900 Photo

Victoria Terminus Railway Station Bombay, 1900 Photo.   A 1900 photo of the spectacular Victoria Terminus railway station in Bombay ....read more

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devmaster2023-02-20T23:46:01+05:30
Old Book 1892 - Albuquerque
Old Book 1892 – Albuquerque
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Old Book 1892 – Albuquerque

Old Book 1892 – Albuquerque

Old Book 1892 - Albuquerque Title - Albuquerque Author - H Morse Stephens Publisher - Oxford Year - 1892 The arrival ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-15T20:37:31+05:30
WWI German Warship 'Emden' Attack On Madras, 1914 Postcard
WWI German Warship ‘Emden’ Attack On Madras, 1914 Postcard
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WWI German Warship ‘Emden’ Attack On Madras, 1914 Postcard

WWI German Warship ‘Emden’ Attack On Madras, 1914 Postcard

WWI German Warship 'Emden' Attack On Madras, 1914 Postcard A 1914 postcard of a painting showing the German warship 'Emden' ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-15T21:39:45+05:30
Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard
Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard
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Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard

Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard

Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard An old 1905 photo postcard of Madras Gymkhana Club and pavilion. The club is located ....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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