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The Museum Cubbon Park Bangalore, 1890 Postcard
The Museum Cubbon Park Bangalore, 1890 Postcard
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The Museum Cubbon Park Bangalore, 1890 Postcard

The Museum Cubbon Park Bangalore, 1890 Postcard

The Museum Cubbon Park Bangalore, 1890 Postcard An old 1890 postcard showing the Museum and Cubbon Park in Bangalore, now ....read more

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devmaster2024-06-15T16:33:12+05:30
Flora Fountain & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1915 PC
Flora Fountain & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1915 Postcard
Gallery

Flora Fountain & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1915 Postcard

Flora Fountain & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1915 Postcard

Flora Fountain & Esplanade Road Bombay, 1915 Postcard A 1915 photo postcard showing Flora Fountain and Esplanade Road in Bombay ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-15T22:16:09+05:30
A British Restaurant In Poona, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

A British Restaurant In Poona, 1900 Postcard

A British Restaurant In Poona, 1900 Postcard

A British Restaurant In Poona, 1900 Postcard A 1900 photo postcard of a British Restaurant in Poona (now Pune). A ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-25T17:06:28+05:30
North View Of Tipu Sultan's Bangalore Fort, 1794 Print
Northern View Of Tipu Sultan’s Bangalore Fort, 1794 Print
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Northern View Of Tipu Sultan’s Bangalore Fort, 1794 Print

Northern View Of Tipu Sultan’s Bangalore Fort, 1794 Print

Northern View Of Tipu Sultan's Bangalore Fort, 1794 Print   A 1794 engraved print showing the northern view of Tipu ....read more

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devmaster2024-09-28T17:14:29+05:30
Mayo Hall Bangalore, Old 1903 Postcard
The Mayo Hall In British Era Bangalore – 2 Postcards 1900s
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The Mayo Hall In British Era Bangalore – 2 Postcards 1900s

The Mayo Hall In British Era Bangalore – 2 Postcards 1900s

The Mayo Hall In British Era Bangalore - 2 Postcards 1900s Two postcards (1903 & 1911) of the Municipal Office ....read more

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devmaster2024-07-06T10:54:24+05:30
Queen Victoria's Statue In Bangalore, 2 Old 1910 PCs
Queen Victoria’s Statue British Era Bangalore – 2 Postcards 1907
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Queen Victoria’s Statue British Era Bangalore – 2 Postcards 1907

Queen Victoria’s Statue British Era Bangalore – 2 Postcards 1907

Queen Victoria's Statue British Era Bangalore - 2 Postcards 1907 Two 1900s photo postcards of Queen Victoria's Statue in British ....read more

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devmaster2024-01-06T11:58:04+05:30
Bombay Electric Tram At Flora Fountain, 1925 Photo
Bombay Electric Tram At Flora Fountain, 1925 Photo
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Bombay Electric Tram At Flora Fountain, 1925 Photo

Bombay Electric Tram At Flora Fountain, 1925 Photo

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devmaster2025-04-30T16:02:16+05:30
Bhagirathi or Kochupanki, Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1866 Photo1
Bhagirathi or Kochupanki, Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1866 Photo
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Bhagirathi or Kochupanki, Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1866 Photo

Bhagirathi or Kochupanki, Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1866 Photo

Bhagirathi or Kochupanki, Wife Of Raja Ravi Varma, 1866 Photo An 1866 photo of Bhagirathi, the wife of Raja Ravi ....read more

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devmaster2025-07-05T05:53:15+05:30
Sunbeam Car At Oval Maidan In British Era Bombay, 1916 Print1
Sunbeam Car At Oval Maidan In British Era Bombay, 1916 Print
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Sunbeam Car At Oval Maidan In British Era Bombay, 1916 Print

Sunbeam Car At Oval Maidan In British Era Bombay, 1916 Print

Sunbeam Motor Car At Oval Maidan In the British Era Bombay, 1916 Print A 1916 print of a Sunbeam Motor ....read more

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devmaster2024-08-26T17:40:52+05:30
Birds Eye View of Back Bay British Era Bombay, 2 Postcards 1890
Birds Eye View of Back Bay British Era Bombay – 2 Postcards 1890
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Birds Eye View of Back Bay British Era Bombay – 2 Postcards 1890

Birds Eye View of Back Bay British Era Bombay – 2 Postcards 1890

Birds Eye View of Back Bay British Era Bombay - 2 Postcards 1890 Two postcards (1890 and 1900) with Birdseye ....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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