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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

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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

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devmaster2025-10-02T02:59:00+05:30
1900 photo of Elephanta Caves in Bombay (Mumbai), 6th-century rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva on Elephanta Island -- past-india.com
Two Rare 1900 Photos of Elephanta Caves & Trimurti, Bombay
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Two Rare 1900 Photos of Elephanta Caves & Trimurti, Bombay

Two Rare 1900 Photos of Elephanta Caves & Trimurti, Bombay

Two Rare 1900 Photos of Elephanta Caves & Trimurti, Bombay These rare 1900 photographs capture the Elephanta Caves and the ....read more

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1900 photo of the central walk at Victoria Gardens, Bombay (now Jijamata Udyan, Byculla Zoo, Mumbai), lined with trees and plants -- past-india.com
1895 Photo of Victoria Gardens During The Colonial Era In Bombay
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1895 Photo of Victoria Gardens During The Colonial Era In Bombay

1895 Photo of Victoria Gardens During The Colonial Era In Bombay

1895 Photo of Victoria Gardens During The Colonial Era In Bombay This rare 1900 photograph captures the wide central walk ....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

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Old Book 1892 - Albuquerque
Old Book 1892 – Albuquerque
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Old Book 1892 – Albuquerque

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

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Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard
Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard
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Madras Gymkhana Club, 1905 Postcard

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King George V & Queen Mary At Delhi Durbar, 1911 Postcard
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King George V & Queen Mary At Delhi Durbar, 1911 Postcard

King George V & Queen Mary At Delhi Durbar, 1911 Postcard

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Children's Fete At The Exhibition Bombay, PC 1900
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Children’s Fete At The Exhibition British Era Bombay, 1900 PC

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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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