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···5354555657···128129Next
devmaster2024-02-16T19:19:51+05:30
Viceroy's Arrival At Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1910 Postcard
Viceroy’s Arrival At Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1910 Postcard
Gallery

Viceroy’s Arrival At Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1910 Postcard

Viceroy’s Arrival At Apollo Bunder Bombay, 1910 Postcard

Viceroy's Arrival At Bombay, Old Postcard 1910 An old 1910 postcard of the Viceroy's arrival at Bombay, now Mumbai. Shared ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-08-23T05:21:19+05:30
War Biplane At Cochin Air Base WWII - 2 PCs 1942
War Biplane At Cochin Air Base WWII – 2 PCs 1942
Gallery

War Biplane At Cochin Air Base WWII – 2 PCs 1942

War Biplane At Cochin Air Base WWII – 2 PCs 1942

War Biplane At Cochin Air Base WWII - 2 PCs 1942 Two rare 1942 photo postcards of a biplane at ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-02-16T21:12:04+05:30
J N Tata Statue At Churchgate Bombay, 1905 Postcard
J N Tata Statue At Churchgate Bombay, 1905 Postcard
Gallery

J N Tata Statue At Churchgate Bombay, 1905 Postcard

J N Tata Statue At Churchgate Bombay, 1905 Postcard

J N Tata Statue At Churchgate Bombay, 1905 Postcard A 1905 postcard of the great Jamshetji Naroji Tata statue at ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2022-12-15T05:28:40+05:30
Bombay Presidency Map 1838
Early Map of Bombay Presidency 1838
Gallery

Early Map of Bombay Presidency 1838

Early Map of Bombay Presidency 1838

Early Map of Bombay Presidency 1838 This is an old 1838 map of the Bombay Presidency map. The map shows ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-06-16T12:35:02+05:30
Esplanade Road & Tram Mumbai, Old Postcard 1905
Esplanade Road & Tram Bombay, 1905 Postcard
Gallery

Esplanade Road & Tram Bombay, 1905 Postcard

Esplanade Road & Tram Bombay, 1905 Postcard

Esplanade Road & Tram Bombay, 1905 Postcard  A 1905 postcard of the Esplanade Road and tram in Bombay (Mumbai). A ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-06-16T00:03:18+05:30
Prince & Princess of Wales In Bombay - 3 Postcards 1905
Prince & Princess of Wales In British Era Bombay – 3 PCs 1905
Gallery

Prince & Princess of Wales In British Era Bombay – 3 PCs 1905

Prince & Princess of Wales In British Era Bombay – 3 PCs 1905

Prince & Princess of Wales In British Era Bombay - 3 Postcards 1905 Three 1905 postcards of George Prince of ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-10-17T16:18:36+05:30
1900 panoramic view of Kashmir Valley and Jhelum River surrounded by Himalayas and Pir Panjal Range -- past-india.com
Panoramic View Of Kashmir Valley & Jhelum River 1908 Photo
Gallery

Panoramic View Of Kashmir Valley & Jhelum River 1908 Photo

Panoramic View Of Kashmir Valley & Jhelum River 1908 Photo

Panoramic View Of Kashmir Valley & Jhelum River 1908 Photo A 1900 stereo photograph captures a breathtaking panoramic view of ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-10-18T04:22:03+05:30
Marine Drive At Ernakulam (Kochi), 1935 Photo
Rare View of Marine Drive In Ernakulam (Kochi), 1935 Photo
Gallery

Rare View of Marine Drive In Ernakulam (Kochi), 1935 Photo

Rare View of Marine Drive In Ernakulam (Kochi), 1935 Photo

Rare View of Marine Drive In Ernakulam (Kochi), 1935 Photo A 1935 photo with a rare view of Marine Drive ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-10-18T04:58:30+05:30
Europeans On Hand-Pulled Rickshaws, Bombay, 1914 Photo, early transport history India -- past-india.com
Europeans On Hand-Pulled Rickshaws, Bombay, 1914 Photo
Gallery

Europeans On Hand-Pulled Rickshaws, Bombay, 1914 Photo

Europeans On Hand-Pulled Rickshaws, Bombay, 1914 Photo

Europeans On Hand-Pulled Rickshaws, Bombay, 1914 Photo This rare 1914 photograph captures two Europeans, a man and a woman, seated ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-10-18T13:36:14+05:30
Old 1934 photo of the Viceroy’s Bodyguards in British India being inspected by an officer, later known as the President’s Bodyguards of India -- past-india.com
Viceroy’s Bodyguards India, Elite Cavalry Regiment, 1934 Photo
Gallery

Viceroy’s Bodyguards India, Elite Cavalry Regiment, 1934 Photo

Viceroy’s Bodyguards India, Elite Cavalry Regiment, 1934 Photo

Viceroy’s Bodyguards India, Elite Cavalry Regiment, 1934 Photo This rare 1934 photo captures the Viceroy’s Bodyguards during the British India ....read more

Learn More
Previous12···5354555657···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