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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2022-02-21T11:20:15+05:30
Old Book - The Great Cities/Bombay
Old Book 1979- The Great Cities/Bombay
Gallery

Old Book 1979- The Great Cities/Bombay

Old Book 1979- The Great Cities/Bombay

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devmaster2024-07-14T04:24:34+05:30
River Cooum & River Adyar Madras - 2 Postcards 1910
River Cooum & River Adyar Madras – 2 Postcards 1910
Gallery

River Cooum & River Adyar Madras – 2 Postcards 1910

River Cooum & River Adyar Madras – 2 Postcards 1910

River Cooum & River Adyar Madras - 2 Postcards 1910 Two 1910 postcards of the River Cooum and River Adyar ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-19T13:31:41+05:30
On India's Pepper Trail By Vasco Da Gama, 1920 Card
On India’s Pepper Trail By Vasco Da Gama, 1920 Card
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On India’s Pepper Trail By Vasco Da Gama, 1920 Card

On India’s Pepper Trail By Vasco Da Gama, 1920 Card

On India's Pepper Trail By Vasco Da Gama, 1920 Card A 1920 card of Vasco Da Gama during his pepper ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-20T04:00:14+05:30
Madras Central Railway Station, British Era Greeting Card 1920
Madras Central Railway Station, British Era Greeting Card 1920
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Madras Central Railway Station, British Era Greeting Card 1920

Madras Central Railway Station, British Era Greeting Card 1920

Madras Central Railway Station, British Era Greeting Card 1920 An old 1920 British-era greeting card showing the Madras Central Railway ....read more

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devmaster2024-07-15T16:20:42+05:30
Chennai Central Railway Station & Canal
Chennai Central Railway Station & Canal – 4 Postcards
Gallery

Chennai Central Railway Station & Canal – 4 Postcards

Chennai Central Railway Station & Canal – 4 Postcards

Chennai Central Railway Station & Canal - 4 Postcards 1900 Four postcards, from 1900 to 1920, of the Chennai Central ....read more

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devmaster2024-08-10T19:55:58+05:30
Life In British Era Bangalore, 1875 Photo
Glimpse of Tea Room In The British Era In Bangalore, 1900 Photo
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Glimpse of Tea Room In The British Era In Bangalore, 1900 Photo

Glimpse of Tea Room In The British Era In Bangalore, 1900 Photo

Glimpse of Tea Room In The British Era In Bangalore, 1900 Photo A 1900 photo gives a glimpse of a ....read more

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devmaster2022-10-06T11:26:30+05:30
Malabar Hill Bungalow With Punkah - Old Photo 1890
Malabar Hill Bungalow With Punkah – Old Photo 1890
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Malabar Hill Bungalow With Punkah – Old Photo 1890

Malabar Hill Bungalow With Punkah – Old Photo 1890

Malabar Hill Bungalow With Punkah - Old Photo 1890 This is an old 1890 photo of an interior of a ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-08T09:59:21+05:30
Celebrating King George V's Coronation In Simla, 1911 Print
Celebrating King George V’s Coronation In Simla, 1911 Print
Gallery

Celebrating King George V’s Coronation In Simla, 1911 Print

Celebrating King George V’s Coronation In Simla, 1911 Print

Celebrating King George V's Coronation In Simla, 1911 Print A 1911 print that shows the coronation day celebration of King ....read more

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devmaster2023-08-21T15:07:07+05:30
German Ship SMS Emden's Expedition Photos In WW1
1914 Daring German Warship Emden Visits Cochin Photos
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1914 Daring German Warship Emden Visits Cochin Photos

1914 Daring German Warship Emden Visits Cochin Photos

1914 Daring German Warship Emden Visits Cochin Photos Photographs taken by the crew of the German warship SMS Emden's visit ....read more

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devmaster2025-08-21T06:26:19+05:30
European Family Life In Bangalore Cantonment, 1890 Photo
European Family Life In Bangalore Cantonment, 1890 Photo
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European Family Life In Bangalore Cantonment, 1890 Photo

European Family Life In Bangalore Cantonment, 1890 Photo

European Family Life In Bangalore Cantonment, 1890 Photo An 1890 vintage photograph of European family life in Bangalore Cantonment. It ....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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