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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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Hawa Mahal Jaipur, 1880 Photo
Unique Hawa Mahal Palace Jaipur, 1880 Photo
Gallery

Unique Hawa Mahal Palace Jaipur, 1880 Photo

Unique Hawa Mahal Palace Jaipur, 1880 Photo

Unique Hawa Mahal Palace Jaipur, 1880 Photo An 1880 photo of the Hawa Mahal Palace or the Wind Palace in ....read more

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devmaster2021-10-26T16:20:45+05:30
24 Choice Views Of Bombay - Photogravure Book 1915
24 Choice Views Of Bombay – Photogravure Book 1915
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24 Choice Views Of Bombay – Photogravure Book 1915

24 Choice Views Of Bombay – Photogravure Book 1915

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devmaster2024-04-08T10:58:58+05:30
The State Entry Into Delhi of Queen Mary, 1912 Print
The State Entry Into Delhi of Queen Mary, 1912 Print
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The State Entry Into Delhi of Queen Mary, 1912 Print

The State Entry Into Delhi of Queen Mary, 1912 Print

The State Entry Into Delhi of Queen Mary, 1912 Print A 1912 print displays the state entry into Delhi of ....read more

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devmaster2024-04-08T15:52:46+05:30
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Celebration Bombay, 1897 Print
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Bombay, 1897 Print
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Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Bombay, 1897 Print

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Bombay, 1897 Print

Queen Victoria's Jubilee Celebration In Bombay, 1897 Print An 1897 print of Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee Celebration in Bombay (now ....read more

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Marine Drive In The Evening Bombay - Old Postcard 1950
Marine Drive By Night From Malabar Hill Bombay – 2 PCs 1950s
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Marine Drive By Night From Malabar Hill Bombay – 2 PCs 1950s

Marine Drive By Night From Malabar Hill Bombay – 2 PCs 1950s

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Calcutta Harbour And Native Boats, 1912 Postcard
Calcutta Harbour And Native Boats, 1912 Postcard
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Calcutta Harbour And Native Boats, 1912 Postcard

Calcutta Harbour And Native Boats, 1912 Postcard

Calcutta Harbour And Native Boats, 1912 Postcard This is an old postcard of Calcutta Harbour with native boats, the postal ....read more

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devmaster2024-05-27T06:03:16+05:30
Europeans Bungalow During Colonial Era India - 3 Photos 1880
Europeans Bungalow During Colonial Era India – 3 Photos 1880
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Europeans Bungalow During Colonial Era India – 3 Photos 1880

Europeans Bungalow During Colonial Era India – 3 Photos 1880

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Iron Pillar & Arch At Qutub Minar Delhi, 1880 Photo
Iron Pillar & Arch At Qutub Minar Delhi, 1880 Photo
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Iron Pillar & Arch At Qutub Minar Delhi, 1880 Photo

Iron Pillar & Arch At Qutub Minar Delhi, 1880 Photo

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Inauguration of India's Parliament Building New Delhi, 1927 Print
Inauguration of India’s Parliament Building New Delhi, 1927 Print
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Inauguration of India’s Parliament Building New Delhi, 1927 Print

Inauguration of India’s Parliament Building New Delhi, 1927 Print

Inauguration of India's Parliament Building New Delhi, 1927 Print A 1927 print on the inauguration of India's new Parliament building ....read more

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devmaster2021-10-11T06:05:16+05:30
Indian Revolt Lucknow & The Residency - Vintage Map 1900
Indian Revolt Lucknow & The Residency – Vintage Map 1900
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Indian Revolt Lucknow & The Residency – Vintage Map 1900

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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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