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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2024-05-21T23:52:56+05:30
The Esplanade & Madras Christian College, 1877 Photo
The Esplanade & Madras Christian College, 1877 Photo
Gallery

The Esplanade & Madras Christian College, 1877 Photo

The Esplanade & Madras Christian College, 1877 Photo

The Esplanade & Madras Christian College, 1877 Photo An 1877 rare photo of the Esplanade and the Madras Christian College ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-27T04:18:28+05:30
View of Madras Harbour & Parry's corner, 1870 Photo
View of Madras Harbour & Parry’s Corner, 1870 Photo
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View of Madras Harbour & Parry’s Corner, 1870 Photo

View of Madras Harbour & Parry’s Corner, 1870 Photo

View of Madras Harbour & Parry's Corner, 1870 Photo An 1870 photo with a view of the Madras Harbour and ....read more

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devmaster2024-08-10T18:59:50+05:30
reclamation of apollo bunder bombay
Reclamation Work For Building Gateway Of India Bombay, 1914
Gallery

Reclamation Work For Building Gateway Of India Bombay, 1914

Reclamation Work For Building Gateway Of India Bombay, 1914

Reclamation Work For The Building Of The Gateway Of India Bombay, 1914 Photo A rare 1914 photo shows the reclamation ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-27T04:17:15+05:30
Aerial View of Ballard Pier Bombay, 1930 Photo
Aerial View of Ballard Pier Bombay, 1930 Photo
Gallery

Aerial View of Ballard Pier Bombay, 1930 Photo

Aerial View of Ballard Pier Bombay, 1930 Photo

Aerial View of Ballard Pier Bombay, 1930 Photo  A 1930 aerial photo of the Ballard Pier in Bombay (Mumbai). It ....read more

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devmaster2025-03-28T05:58:56+05:30
Clock Tower At Chandni Chowk Delhi, Old Photo 1877
Clock Tower At Chandni Chowk Delhi, 1877 Photo
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Clock Tower At Chandni Chowk Delhi, 1877 Photo

Clock Tower At Chandni Chowk Delhi, 1877 Photo

Clock Tower At Chandni Chowk Delhi, 1877 Photo An 1877 photo of the Clock Tower at Chandni Chowk in Delhi. ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-27T04:25:44+05:30
India's Farewell to British Troops In Bombay, 1948 Photo
India’s Farewell to British Troops In Bombay, 1948 Photo
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India’s Farewell to British Troops In Bombay, 1948 Photo

India’s Farewell to British Troops In Bombay, 1948 Photo

India's Farewell to British Troops In Bombay, 1948 Photo This is an old 1948 photo of India's farewell to the ....read more

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devmaster2024-07-06T18:12:26+05:30
Pachaiyappa's College & Flower Bazaar Madras, 1910 Postcard
Pachaiyappa’s College & Flower Bazaar Madras, 1910 Postcard
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Pachaiyappa’s College & Flower Bazaar Madras, 1910 Postcard

Pachaiyappa’s College & Flower Bazaar Madras, 1910 Postcard

Pachaiyappa's College & Flower Bazaar Chennai 1910 Postcard Rare 1910 postcard of the Pachaiyappa's college and flower bazaar. This single ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-22T18:02:52+05:30
Aerial View of Bombay's Fort Area, 1930 Photo
Aerial View of Bombay’s Fort Area, 1930 Photo
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Aerial View of Bombay’s Fort Area, 1930 Photo

Aerial View of Bombay’s Fort Area, 1930 Photo

Aerial View of Bombay's Fort Area, 1930 Photo A 1930 aerial photo of Bombay's (Mumbai's) Fort area during the British ....read more

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devmaster2025-03-28T06:01:11+05:30
Panoramic View of Viceroy's House Delhi British India, 1930 Photo
Panoramic View of Viceroy’s House Delhi British India, 1930 Photo
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Panoramic View of Viceroy’s House Delhi British India, 1930 Photo

Panoramic View of Viceroy’s House Delhi British India, 1930 Photo

Panoramic View of Viceroy's House Delhi British India, 1930 Photo A 1930 panoramic view of the Viceroy's House in Delhi ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-02T15:24:00+05:30
Naval & Military Games In British Era Bombay, 1895 Print
Naval & Military Games In British Era Bombay, 1895 Print
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Naval & Military Games In British Era Bombay, 1895 Print

Naval & Military Games In British Era Bombay, 1895 Print

Naval & Military Games In British Era Bombay, 1895 Print An 1895 print that shows naval and military games during ....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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