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Reception To King George V & Queen Mary In Bombay, 1911 print
Reception To King George V & Queen Mary In Bombay, 1911 print
Gallery

Reception To King George V & Queen Mary In Bombay, 1911 print

Reception To King George V & Queen Mary In Bombay, 1911 print

Reception To King George V & Queen Mary In Bombay, 1911 print The print shows the preparation for the proposed ....read more

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devmaster2022-01-30T16:36:31+05:30
Byculla Station Waiting For The First Train 1853, Old Print
Byculla Station Waiting For The First Train 1853, Old Print
Gallery

Byculla Station Waiting For The First Train 1853, Old Print

Byculla Station Waiting For The First Train 1853, Old Print

Byculla Station Waiting For The First Train 1853, Old Print An 1854 newspaper clipping of people waiting at Byculla station ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-19T07:14:59+05:30
View of Shoolay Bangalore, 1910 Postcard
View of Shoolay Bangalore, 1910 Postcard
Gallery

View of Shoolay Bangalore, 1910 Postcard

View of Shoolay Bangalore, 1910 Postcard

View of Shoolay Bangalore, 1910 Postcard A 1910 photo postcard about "View of Shoolay" in Bangalore, now Bengaluru. Shoolay is ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-22T15:21:30+05:30
Parsi Businessman Cowasji Readymoney Bombay, 1867 Photo
Parsi Businessman Cowasji Readymoney Bombay, 1867 Photo
Gallery

Parsi Businessman Cowasji Readymoney Bombay, 1867 Photo

Parsi Businessman Cowasji Readymoney Bombay, 1867 Photo

Parsi Businessman Cowasji Readymoney Bombay, 1867 Photo An 1890 rare photo of the Parsi businessman Cowasji Readymoney in British Era Bombay ....read more

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Entrance To Nizam's Hyderabad, Old Photo 1880
Entrance To The Nizam’s Hyderabad, 1880 Photo
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Entrance To The Nizam’s Hyderabad, 1880 Photo

Entrance To The Nizam’s Hyderabad, 1880 Photo

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Col. Neil's Statue At Mount Road Madras, 1912 Postcard
Col. Neil’s Statue At Mount Road Madras, 1912 Postcard
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Col. Neil’s Statue At Mount Road Madras, 1912 Postcard

Col. Neil’s Statue At Mount Road Madras, 1912 Postcard

Col. Neil's Statue At Mount Road Madras, 1912 Postcard A 1912 photo postcard that shows Colonel Neil's Statue at Mount ....read more

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Newly Completed Moore Market Madras, 1900 Postcard
Newly Completed Moore Market Madras, 1900 Postcard
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Newly Completed Moore Market Madras, 1900 Postcard

Newly Completed Moore Market Madras, 1900 Postcard

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The Order Of The Star Of India, 1900 Postcard
The Order Of The Star Of India, 1900 Postcard
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The Order Of The Star Of India, 1900 Postcard

The Order Of The Star Of India, 1900 Postcard

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Daimler Cars In India For The Maharajas, 1917 Print1
Daimler Cars In India For The Maharajas, 1917 Print
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Daimler Cars In India For The Maharajas, 1917 Print

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Mountbatten's Farewell Inspection of British Regiment, 1947 Photo
Mountbatten’s Farewell Inspection of British Regiment, 1947 Photo
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Mountbatten’s Farewell Inspection of British Regiment, 1947 Photo

Mountbatten’s Farewell Inspection of British Regiment, 1947 Photo

Mountbatten's Farewell Inspection of British Regiment, 1947 Photo A 1947 news photo of Lord Mountbatten's farewell inspection of departing British ....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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