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Madras Boat Club Annual Regatta During British Era, 1912 Print
Madras Boat Club Annual Regatta During British Era, 1912 Print
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Madras Boat Club Annual Regatta During British Era, 1912 Print

Madras Boat Club Annual Regatta During British Era, 1912 Print

Madras Boat Club Annual Regatta During British Era, 1912 Print. A 1912 print shows images of the Madras Boat Club's ....read more

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The Inauguration Of New Delhi, 1931 Programme Card
The Inauguration Of New Delhi, 1931 Programme Card
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The Inauguration Of New Delhi, 1931 Programme Card

The Inauguration Of New Delhi, 1931 Programme Card

The Inauguration Of New Delhi, 1931 Programme Card A rare 1931 programme card of "The Inauguration of New Delhi". In ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-16T08:27:53+05:30
The Banqueting Hall Madras, 1925 Postcard
The Banqueting Hall Madras, 1925 Postcard
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The Banqueting Hall Madras, 1925 Postcard

The Banqueting Hall Madras, 1925 Postcard

The Banqueting Hall Madras, 1925 Postcard An old 1925 photo postcard of the Banqueting Hall in Madras (Chennai). The Banqueting ....read more

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devmaster2025-12-23T06:40:00+05:30
1868 photo of the Suez Canal showing a dredger and steamship — a historic view of the route that revolutionized travel between England and India - past-india.com
Construction Of The Suez Canal, Short Route To India, 1868 Photo
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Construction Of The Suez Canal, Short Route To India, 1868 Photo

Construction Of The Suez Canal, Short Route To India, 1868 Photo

Construction Of The Suez Canal, Short Route To India, 1868 Photo A rare 1868 photograph showing the construction of the ....read more

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1902 stereophoto of King Edward VII’s coronation prayer service at Christ Church, Simla (Shimla), showing large crowd, parked rickshaws, and Simla Town Hall in the background -- past-india.com
King Edward VII’s Coronation Prayer Service Simla, 1902 Photo
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King Edward VII’s Coronation Prayer Service Simla, 1902 Photo

King Edward VII’s Coronation Prayer Service Simla, 1902 Photo

King Edward VII's Coronation Prayer Service Simla, 1902 Photo This rare 1902 stereograph photograph captures the coronation prayer service of ....read more

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1888 Photo of Government House, Madras During the British Era
1888 Photo of Government House, Madras During the British Era
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1888 Photo of Government House, Madras During the British Era

1888 Photo of Government House, Madras During the British Era

1888 Photo of the Government House, Madras During the British Era An 1888 photograph captures a rare interior view of ....read more

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1890 photo of Mount Kanchenjunga seen from Tiger Hill, Darjeeling, showing the majestic Himalayan range and the sacred mountain revered in Sikkimese tradition.
1890 Photo of Kanchenjunga In Himalayas View from Darjeeling
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1890 Photo of Kanchenjunga In Himalayas View from Darjeeling

1890 Photo of Kanchenjunga In Himalayas View from Darjeeling

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devmaster2023-01-28T05:10:05+05:30
Victoria Terminus & Horse Tram Bombay, 1903 Photo 
Victoria Terminus & Horse Tram Bombay, 1903 Photo 
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Victoria Terminus & Horse Tram Bombay, 1903 Photo 

Victoria Terminus & Horse Tram Bombay, 1903 Photo 

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devmaster2023-01-27T22:22:46+05:30
Old Book 1914 - Academy Architecture
Old Book 1914 – Academy Architecture
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Old Book 1914 – Academy Architecture

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Old Book 1914 - Academy Architecture Title - Academy Architecture And Architectural Review Editorial And Publishing - 44 Doughty Street, ....read more

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1910 sepia photo showing the early reclamation and enlargement work at the future Gateway of India site in Bombay, known then as Apollo Bunder -- past-india.com
Site Enlargement of the Gateway of India, Bombay, 2 Photos 1912
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Site Enlargement of the Gateway of India, Bombay, 2 Photos 1912

Site Enlargement of the Gateway of India, Bombay, 2 Photos 1912

The Reclamation & Enlargement of The Gateway of India Site In Bombay Two rare sepia photos from 1912 showing the ....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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