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···8485868788···128129Next
devmaster2024-02-25T17:05:06+05:30
Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin In Calicut, 1909 Postcard
Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin In Calicut, 1909 Postcard
Gallery

Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin In Calicut, 1909 Postcard

Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin In Calicut, 1909 Postcard

Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin In Calicut, 1909 Postcard A 1909 postcard showing Vasco Da Gama Before The Zamorin ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-02-26T05:54:54+05:30
Parsi Beauty of British Era Bombay, 1908 Postcard
Parsi Beauty of British Era Bombay, 1908 Postcard
Gallery

Parsi Beauty of British Era Bombay, 1908 Postcard

Parsi Beauty of British Era Bombay, 1908 Postcard

Parsi Beauty of British Era Bombay, 1908 Postcard A 1908 postcard of a Parsi beauty during the British era in ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-02-26T06:25:00+05:30
Eucalyptus Trees On Gudalur Road Ooty, 1920 Postcard
Eucalyptus Trees On Gudalur Road Ooty, 1920 Postcard
Gallery

Eucalyptus Trees On Gudalur Road Ooty, 1920 Postcard

Eucalyptus Trees On Gudalur Road Ooty, 1920 Postcard

Eucalyptus Trees On Gudalur Road Ooty, 1920 Postcard A 1920 postcard of eucalyptus trees on Gudalur Road in Ooty. It ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2025-11-23T19:57:53+05:30
Suburbs of Singapore & Electric Tram, 1910 Postcard
Electric Tram In The Suburbs of British Era Singapore, 1910 PC
Gallery

Electric Tram In The Suburbs of British Era Singapore, 1910 PC

Electric Tram In The Suburbs of British Era Singapore, 1910 PC

Electric Tram In The Suburbs of British Era Singapore, 1910 Postcard A 1910 postcard of an electric tram in the ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-07-16T17:20:26+05:30
Raffles Place Singapore - Old Postcard 1920
Raffles Place In British Era Singapore, 1920 Postcard
Gallery

Raffles Place In British Era Singapore, 1920 Postcard

Raffles Place In British Era Singapore, 1920 Postcard

Raffles Place In British Era Singapore, 1920 Postcard A 1920 postcard of Raffles Place in British Era Singapore. Sir Stamford ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-30T00:48:41+05:30
Mahatma Gandhi & Sarojini Naidu, 1939 Photo
Mahatma Gandhi & Sarojini Naidu, 1939 Photo
Gallery

Mahatma Gandhi & Sarojini Naidu, 1939 Photo

Mahatma Gandhi & Sarojini Naidu, 1939 Photo

Mahatma Gandhi & Sarojini Naidu, 1939 Photo This is a press photograph dating to 1939 that shows Mahatma Gandhi and ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-01-30T00:51:49+05:30
Mahatma Gandhi And His Followers, 1933 Photo
Mahatma Gandhi And His Followers, 1933 Photo
Gallery

Mahatma Gandhi And His Followers, 1933 Photo

Mahatma Gandhi And His Followers, 1933 Photo

Mahatma Gandhi And His Followers, 1933 Photo This is a vintage 1933 press photo of Mahatma Gandhi and his followers. ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-05-24T05:45:52+05:30
Maharaja’s Banquet British India Era – Old Photo 1930
The Maharaja’s Banquet British India Era, 1930 Photo
Gallery

The Maharaja’s Banquet British India Era, 1930 Photo

The Maharaja’s Banquet British India Era, 1930 Photo

Maharaja's Banquet British India Era, 1930 Photo A 1930 photo of a maharaja hosting a banquet for his guests. The ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-05-24T10:13:37+05:30
Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo Silent Movies - Old Photo 1975
Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo And With Gandhi – 2 Old Photos
Gallery

Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo And With Gandhi – 2 Old Photos

Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo And With Gandhi – 2 Old Photos

Charlie Chaplin Signed Photo And With Mahatma Gandhi - 2 Old Photos Two old photos, one image shows Charlie Chaplin ....read more

Learn More
devmaster2024-07-16T04:18:27+05:30
aerial view bombay
Aerial View Of Gateway Of India & Taj Hotel Bombay, 1920 PC
Gallery

Aerial View Of Gateway Of India & Taj Hotel Bombay, 1920 PC

Aerial View Of Gateway Of India & Taj Hotel Bombay, 1920 PC

Aerial View Of Gateway Of India & Taj Mahal Hotel Bombay, 1920 Postcard A 1920 postcard displays aerial view of ....read more

Learn More
Previous12···8485868788···128129Next

blank

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

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