Skip to content
Past-India Logo Past-India Logo Past-India Logo
About Past-India
  • Home
  • Art & Raja Ravi Varma Collection
  • Old India Photos
    • Bangalore Photos
    • Bombay Photos
    • Calcutta Photos
    • Delhi Photos
    • Madras Photos
    • Miscellaneous Photos
    • Other India photos
  • Old India Postcards
    • Bombay Postcards
    • Madras Postcards
    • Calcutta Postcards
    • Banglore Postcards
    • Cochin / Kerala Postcards
    • Other India Postcards
    • Miscellaneous Postcards
  • Old India Prints
    • Bombay Prints
    • Other India Prints
    • Miscellaneous Prints
  • More
    • India Railway
    • Vintage Motoring
    • Maps & Plans
    • Books & Publications
Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
Previous12···4647484950···128129Next
devmaster2025-10-01T23:51:39+05:30
1890 panoramic photo of Esplanade and Chowringhee Road, Calcutta (Kolkata), showing Ochterlony Monument, Raj Bhavan, GPO dome, horse trams, and carriages. Past India
View of Esplanade & Chowringhee Road In Calcutta, 1890 Photo
Gallery

View of Esplanade & Chowringhee Road In Calcutta, 1890 Photo

View of Esplanade & Chowringhee Road In Calcutta, 1890 Photo

Panoramic View of Esplanade & Chowringhee Road Calcutta, 1890 Photo A rare 1890 panoramic photograph of British-era Calcutta (now Kolkata). ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-10-01T07:15:37+05:30
1949 photo of Asaf Jah VII, Nizam of Hyderabad and Berar, reputed as the world’s richest man, ruler of India’s largest princely state. -- past india
The Nizam of Hyderabad The World’s Richest Man, 1949 Photo
Gallery

The Nizam of Hyderabad The World’s Richest Man, 1949 Photo

The Nizam of Hyderabad The World’s Richest Man, 1949 Photo

The Nizam of Hyderabad, The World's Richest Man, 1949 Photo This historic 1949 photo features Asaf Jah VII, the last ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-10-02T00:23:35+05:30
1890 panoramic photograph of Cumballa Hill in Bombay (Mumbai), showing colonial-era European bungalows on wooded hills overlooking the Arabian Sea, near Malabar Hill, Mahalaxmi, and Altamount Road -- past-india.com
An 1890 Panoramic View of Cumballa Hill, Bombay
Gallery

An 1890 Panoramic View of Cumballa Hill, Bombay

An 1890 Panoramic View of Cumballa Hill, Bombay

An 1890 Panoramic View of Cumballa Hill, Bombay This rare 1890 panoramic photograph of Cumballa Hill in Bombay (now Mumbai) ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-06-15T11:33:28+05:30
Chowpatty Beach & Marine Drive Mumbai, 1970
Chowpatty Beach & Marine Drive Mumbai, 1970 Postcard
Gallery

Chowpatty Beach & Marine Drive Mumbai, 1970 Postcard

Chowpatty Beach & Marine Drive Mumbai, 1970 Postcard

Chowpatty Beach & Marine Drive Mumbai, 1970 Postcard A 1970 photo postcard of Chowpatty Beach and Marine Drive in Bombay, ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-06-15T18:13:23+05:30
Prince of Wales In British Era Bombay - 2 Postcards 1921
Edward The Prince of Wales In British Era Bombay – 2 PCs 1921
Gallery

Edward The Prince of Wales In British Era Bombay – 2 PCs 1921

Edward The Prince of Wales In British Era Bombay – 2 PCs 1921

Edward The Prince of Wales In British Era Bombay - 2 Postcards 1921 Two 1921 postcards of Edward the Prince ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-02-15T17:06:57+05:30
Madras Boat Club Adyar, 1900 Postcard
Madras Boat Club Adyar, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

Madras Boat Club Adyar, 1900 Postcard

Madras Boat Club Adyar, 1900 Postcard

Madras Boat Club Adyar, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard showing the Boat House or Madras Boat Club. One of the ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-07-29T07:45:21+05:30
Celebration At Sasoon's Mansion Bombay, 1859 Print
Celebration At Sassoon’s Mansion Bombay, 1859 Print
Gallery

Celebration At Sassoon’s Mansion Bombay, 1859 Print

Celebration At Sassoon’s Mansion Bombay, 1859 Print

Celebration At Sasoon's Mansion Bombay, 1859 Print An old 1859 print of celebration at Sassoon's Mansion in British Era Bombay ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-07-02T03:43:58+05:30
Maharaja's Sunbeam Motor Car & State Elephants, 1921 Print1
Maharaja’s Sunbeam Motor Car & State Elephants, 1921 Print
Gallery

Maharaja’s Sunbeam Motor Car & State Elephants, 1921 Print

Maharaja’s Sunbeam Motor Car & State Elephants, 1921 Print

Maharaja's Sunbeam Motor Car & State Elephants, 1921 Print A 1921 British newspaper reports on the Maharaja of Travancore's Sunbeam ....read more

Learn More
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

Learn More
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

Learn More
Previous12···4647484950···128129Next

blank

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

php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php
php

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
DMCA.com Protection Status
© Copyright | Past-India by Nubes Technologies | All Rights Reserved
Facebook