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···5455565758···125126Next
devmaster2024-01-22T05:49:44+05:30
Elephant Hauling Road Roller British India, Photo 1925
Elephant Hauling Road Roller British India, Photo 1925
Gallery

Elephant Hauling Road Roller British India, Photo 1925

Elephant Hauling Road Roller British India, Photo 1925

Elephant Hauling Road Roller British India, Photo 1925 An interesting 1925 photo of an elephant at work hauling a road ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2022-11-09T21:50:41+05:30
Motor Cars In Colonial Era Kolkata's Cityscape
Motor Cars In Colonial Era Kolkata’s Cityscape
Gallery

Motor Cars In Colonial Era Kolkata’s Cityscape

Motor Cars In Colonial Era Kolkata’s Cityscape

Motor Cars In Colonial Era Kolkata's Cityscape Two old photo postcards from 1907 and 1920 showing motor cars from a ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2022-12-15T11:35:29+05:30
European Family In Colonial India, Photo 1880
European Family In Colonial India, Photo 1880
Gallery

European Family In Colonial India, Photo 1880

European Family In Colonial India, Photo 1880

European Family In Colonial India, Photo 1880 This is an old 1880 cdv photograph of a British couple based in ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-22T05:55:15+05:30
Prince Of Wales At Railway Station Bangalore, 1906 Photo
Prince Of Wales At Railway Station Bangalore, 1906 Photo
Gallery

Prince Of Wales At Railway Station Bangalore, 1906 Photo

Prince Of Wales At Railway Station Bangalore, 1906 Photo

Prince Of Wales At Railway Station Bangalore, 1906 Photo An old 1906 stereo photo of the British Prince & Princess ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2022-11-03T17:05:05+05:30
Lutyens Abroad The Work Of Sir Edwin Lutyens- Book
Lutyens Abroad The Work Of Sir Edwin Lutyens- Book
Gallery

Lutyens Abroad The Work Of Sir Edwin Lutyens- Book

Lutyens Abroad The Work Of Sir Edwin Lutyens- Book

Lutyens Abroad The Work Of Sir Edwin Lutyens- Book Title- Lutyens Abroad The Work Of Sir Edwin Lutyens Outside The ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-22T06:00:22+05:30
First Railway Bridge Across The Hooghly Calcutta, 1931 Photo
First Railway Bridge Across The Hooghly Calcutta, 1931 Photo
Gallery

First Railway Bridge Across The Hooghly Calcutta, 1931 Photo

First Railway Bridge Across The Hooghly Calcutta, 1931 Photo

First Railway Bridge Across The Hooghly Calcutta, 1931 Photo A 1931 photo of the first railway bridge across the Hooghly ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-05-29T19:19:47+05:30
Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VII - 2 Photos 1936
Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VII – 2 Photos 1936
Gallery

Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VII – 2 Photos 1936

Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VII – 2 Photos 1936

Nizam of Hyderabad Asaf Jah VII - 2 Photos 1936 Two news photos one is from 1936 and the other ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-21T23:16:35+05:30
British Army Life In India - 3 Photos 1900
British Army Life In India – 3 Photos 1900
Gallery

British Army Life In India – 3 Photos 1900

British Army Life In India – 3 Photos 1900

British Army Life In India - 3 Photos 1900 Three old photos from 1900 that give a glimpse of British ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-22T06:20:40+05:30
British Family Life In Colonial India - 3 Photos 1920s
British Family Life In Colonial India – 3 Photos 1920s
Gallery

British Family Life In Colonial India – 3 Photos 1920s

British Family Life In Colonial India – 3 Photos 1920s

British Family Life In Colonial India - 3 Photos 1920s Three old 1920s photos of British family life in colonial ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-09-18T23:49:11+05:30
Ernakulam Market By Cargo Boats, Old Photo 1940s
Ernakulam Market By Cargo Boats, Old Photo 1940s
Gallery

Ernakulam Market By Cargo Boats, Old Photo 1940s

Ernakulam Market By Cargo Boats, Old Photo 1940s

Ernakulam Market By Cargo Boats, Old Photo 1940s   This is an old 1940s photograph of a cargo boat entering ....read more

Learn More
Previous12···5455565758···125126Next

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
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