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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2025-10-11T00:47:36+05:30
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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devmaster2025-07-05T00:39:29+05:30
Viceroy's Rolls-Royce Trendsetter For Indians, 1910 Advertisement1
Viceroy’s Rolls-Royce Trendsetter For Indians, 1910 Advertisement
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Viceroy’s Rolls-Royce Trendsetter For Indians, 1910 Advertisement

Viceroy’s Rolls-Royce Trendsetter For Indians, 1910 Advertisement

Viceroy's Rolls-Royce Trendsetter For Indian Motorists, 1910 Advertisement A rare 1910 advertisement claims the Viceroy sets the trend for motorists ....read more

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devmaster2024-03-04T16:37:27+05:30
Lutyens Delhi The New Capital of India, 1931 Print
Lutyens Delhi The New Capital of India, 1931 Print
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Lutyens Delhi The New Capital of India, 1931 Print

Lutyens Delhi The New Capital of India, 1931 Print

Lutyens Delhi The New Capital of India, 1931 Print A 1931 print about the inauguration of Lutyens Delhi the new ....read more

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devmaster2024-03-05T04:26:35+05:30
Despite negotiating treaties with the British, Tipu tried to ally with the French. This angered the British
Anglo-Mysore War, Last Effort And Fall of Tipu Sultan, 1877 Print
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Anglo-Mysore War, Last Effort And Fall of Tipu Sultan, 1877 Print

Anglo-Mysore War, Last Effort And Fall of Tipu Sultan, 1877 Print

Anglo-Mysore War, Last Effort And Fall of Tipu Sultan, 1877 Print An 1877 engraving of Tipu Sultan's last effort during ....read more

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devmaster2025-10-11T19:53:33+05:30
Aerial 1930 view of Fort William and the River Hooghly in Calcutta, showing the octagonal fort built by the British East India Company -- past-india.com
1930 Aerial View of Fort William and the River Hooghly, Calcutta
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1930 Aerial View of Fort William and the River Hooghly, Calcutta

1930 Aerial View of Fort William and the River Hooghly, Calcutta

1930 Aerial View of Fort William and the River Hooghly, Calcutta A rare 1930 aerial photograph showing Fort William and ....read more

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devmaster2025-10-14T04:28:33+05:30
1910 photo showing Bombay Gymkhana and a cricket match at Azad Maidan in Bombay, with Victoria Terminus and Municipal Corporation buildings in the background -- past-india.com
Rare 1897 Photo Of A Cricket Match At The Bombay Gymkhana
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Rare 1897 Photo Of A Cricket Match At The Bombay Gymkhana

Rare 1897 Photo Of A Cricket Match At The Bombay Gymkhana

Rare 1897 Photo Of A Cricket Match At The Bombay Gymkhana In Azad Maidan The view is taken from the ....read more

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devmaster2025-10-15T04:06:41+05:30
1887 glass slide photo showing two British women on a horse cart with an Indian attendant in colonial Bangalore, projected through a magic lantern -- past-india.com
1887 Photo From Bangalore Show European Women On Horsecart
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1887 Photo From Bangalore Show European Women On Horsecart

1887 Photo From Bangalore Show European Women On Horsecart

1887 Photo From Bangalore Shows European Women On Horsecart An old 1887 glass slide photograph showing European women in colonial ....read more

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devmaster2024-11-06T17:14:28+05:30
Cantonment Market British Era Bangalore, 1905 Postcard
New Market At Cantonment British Era Bangalore, 1905 Postcard
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New Market At Cantonment British Era Bangalore, 1905 Postcard

New Market At Cantonment British Era Bangalore, 1905 Postcard

New Market At Cantonment British Era Bangalore, 1905 Postcard A 1905 postcard shows the New Market at Cantonment during British ....read more

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devmaster2024-06-16T12:29:19+05:30
Hornby Vellard Bombay, Old Postcard 1955
Hornby Vellard Bombay, 1955 Postcard
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Hornby Vellard Bombay, 1955 Postcard

Hornby Vellard Bombay, 1955 Postcard

Hornby Vellard Bombay, 1955 Postcard A 1955 postcard of the Hornby Vellard Bombay (Mumbai). A well-known fact that Bombay once ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-16T19:22:05+05:30
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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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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