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Homedevmaster2024-04-27T10:47:08+05:30
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devmaster2024-07-22T10:51:28+05:30
Boats & Backwaters of Kerala, 2 Old Postcards 1920
Boats & Backwaters of Travancore & Cochin – 3 Postcards 1920
Gallery

Boats & Backwaters of Travancore & Cochin – 3 Postcards 1920

Boats & Backwaters of Travancore & Cochin – 3 Postcards 1920

Old India Postcards > Cochin / Kerala Postcards
Old India Postcards

Boats & Backwaters of Travancore & Cochin - 3 Postcards 1920   Three postcards with views of boats and backwaters ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-18T00:02:53+05:30
thrissur pooram
Thrissur Pooram Decorated Elephants, 1910 Postcard
Gallery

Thrissur Pooram Decorated Elephants, 1910 Postcard

Thrissur Pooram Decorated Elephants, 1910 Postcard

Old India Postcards > Cochin / Kerala Postcards
Old India Postcards

Thrissur Pooram Decorated Elephants, 1910 Postcard Old 1910 photo postcard of the Thrissur Pooram decorated elephants now present-day Kerala. This ....read more

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devmaster2024-07-07T22:26:23+05:30
The Breaking Dawn On The Backwaters of Cochin, 1910 Postcard
The Breaking of Dawn On The Backwaters of Cochin, 1910 PC
Gallery

The Breaking of Dawn On The Backwaters of Cochin, 1910 PC

The Breaking of Dawn On The Backwaters of Cochin, 1910 PC

Old India Postcards > Cochin / Kerala Postcards
Old India Postcards

The Breaking Of Dawn On The Backwaters of Cochin, 1910 Postcard A 1910 postcard that shows the beautiful breaking of ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-17T23:50:51+05:30
kulri mussoorie
Kulri Bazaar Mussoorie, 1910 Postcard
Gallery

Kulri Bazaar Mussoorie, 1910 Postcard

Kulri Bazaar Mussoorie, 1910 Postcard

Old India Postcards > Other India Postcards
Old India Postcards

Kulri Bazaar Mussoorie, 1910 Postcard This is an old 1910 photo postcard of the Kulri Bazaar in Mussoorie.  Mussoorie is ....read more

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devmaster2023-12-15T22:40:29+05:30
khadakvasala dam
Khadakwasla Dam Pune, Old Postcard 1905
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Khadakwasla Dam Pune, Old Postcard 1905

Khadakwasla Dam Pune, Old Postcard 1905

Old India Postcards > Other India Postcards
Old India Postcards

Khadakwasla Dam Pune, Old Postcard 1905 This is a vintage photo postcard of the Khadakwasla Dam dating to 1905. Shown ....read more

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devmaster2024-07-22T08:34:14+05:30
snake boat race
Snake Boat Race In Cochin Backwaters, 1951 Postcard
Gallery

Snake Boat Race In Cochin Backwaters, 1951 Postcard

Snake Boat Race In Cochin Backwaters, 1951 Postcard

Old India Postcards > Cochin / Kerala Postcards
Old India Postcards

Snake Boat Race In Cochin Backwaters, 1951 Postcard A 1951 postcard of  Kerala's famous snake boat race in the Cochin ....read more

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devmaster2023-08-21T15:10:32+05:30
Vintage South Indian Railway Promotional Postcard 1900
Vintage South Indian Railway Promotional Postcard 1900
Gallery

Vintage South Indian Railway Promotional Postcard 1900

Vintage South Indian Railway Promotional Postcard 1900

Old India Postcards > Indian Railways
Old India Postcards

Vintage South Indian Railway Promotional Postcard 1900 This is a vintage 1900 postcard of the Quilon Lake, now Ashtamudi Lake. ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-27T00:31:32+05:30
military canteen deolali
Military Canteen At Cantonment Deolali, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

Military Canteen At Cantonment Deolali, 1900 Postcard

Military Canteen At Cantonment Deolali, 1900 Postcard

Old India Postcards > Other India Postcards
Old India Postcards

Military Canteen At Cantonment Deolali, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard of British India-era military canteen at a cantonment in Deolali ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-26T17:18:49+05:30
pune
Main Street British Era Poona, 1910 Postcard
Gallery

Main Street British Era Poona, 1910 Postcard

Main Street British Era Poona, 1910 Postcard

Old India Postcards > Other India Postcards
Old India Postcards

Main Street British Era Poona, 1910 Postcard A 1910 postcard of British era Poona's (Pune) famous landmark the "Main Street". ....read more

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devmaster2024-02-26T17:22:26+05:30
basket mart madras
Basket Mart & Tram In Madras, 1900 Postcard
Gallery

Basket Mart & Tram In Madras, 1900 Postcard

Basket Mart & Tram In Madras, 1900 Postcard

Old India Postcards > Madras Postcards
Old India Postcards

Basket Mart & Tram In Madras, 1900 Postcard A 1900 postcard of the Basket Mart and a tram passing by ....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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