Step back in time and witness India as it stood 50–100 years ago through a remarkable collection of 35 rare old photographs. These images open a window into a bygone era, capturing the country’s evolving architecture, spiritual temples, vibrant daily life, and the diverse people who shaped its history.
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
The photographs showcase iconic landmarks in their early forms—whether it’s the grandeur of the Gateway of India in Mumbai, the bustling streets of Calcutta, or the stately government buildings in Delhi. Some images feature serene ghats and historic forts, while others capture Hyderabad and Chennai during a time when life moved at a gentler pace.
India’s architecture stands out vividly in these frames—majestic palaces, ancient temples, and colonial-era structures that blend cultural influences from across centuries. Each photo tells a silent story of craftsmanship, heritage, and the resilience of structures that have withstood the test of time.
Equally captivating are the candid shots of daily life—street markets buzzing with traders, children playing in dusty lanes, women balancing earthen pots, and men engaged in age-old trades. The images capture not just moments, but the spirit of communities that thrived on connection and tradition.
The collection also honors the people who lived through these decades, reflecting their fashions, customs, and quiet dignity. Whether it’s a portrait of a farmer in rural fields or a group of city dwellers posing beside a tram in Mumbai, these photos bridge generations.
Together, these 35 rare photographs are more than historical records—they are a celebration of India’s cultural richness, urban growth, and timeless heritage. They remind us of the beauty in our past, urging us to preserve and cherish it for the future.
Scroll down and enjoy yourself. All photos are linked and lead to the sources from which they were taken. Please feel free to explore further works of these photographers on their collections or their personal sites.
#1. Indian People Waiting on a Railway Station Platform – 1945
Photographer: N. Herfort
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#2. Cycle Riders in Delhi – Circa 1945
Photographer: N. Herfort
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#3. Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai- 1890’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#4. Chepauk Palace – Madras (Chennai) – 1890’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#5. The Dirzee (Taylor) of Madras (Chennai)
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#6. Bhendy Bazaar Road. Bombay (Mumbai) – Circa 1870’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#7. Watson’s Hotel, Bombay (Mumbai) – c1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#8. Bombay policeman, India
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#9. Parsee Family from Bombay (Mumbai) India – c1880
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#10. Snake charmer at Gateway of India, Bombay (Mumbai) – India, 1939
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#11. Bombay (Mumbai) Harbour Scene – Vintage Photograph c1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#12. Tomb of Maharana Sangram Singh – Udaipur Rajasthan
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#13. View of the Town of Udaipur – Rajasthan, India 1928
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Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#14. Portrait of a Street Banker in Udaipur, India – 1928
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#15. Nizam’s procession in Old Hyderabad, taken in 1880s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#16. Vintage Photograph of Char Minar – Hyderabad 1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#17. Qutb Shahi Tombs or Golkonda Tombs – Hyderabad, c1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#18. Chandni Chowk, the Main Street in Delhi – c1860’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#19. Delhi Gate of Red Fort – Delhi 1895, Photographed by Lala Deen Dayal
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#20. The Railway Bridge on River Yamuna – Delhi, Mid 19th Century – Photographer: Francis Frith
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#21. British People in Hand-Pulled Rickshaws – Agra 1902
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#22. Indian Barber Servicing Customer – Agra 1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#23. Bathing Ghat in Calcutta (Kolkata) c1890
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#24. Shipping on the Hooghly River – Calcutta (Kolkata) c1890’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#25. Native Hand Pulling Rickshaws in Calcutta (Kolkata) India
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#26. Plymouth Car Standing Outside Victoria Memorial – Calcutta (Kolkata) 1930’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#27. Horse Coach Waiting for Passenger in a Busy Street – Calcutta (Kolkata) 1940’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#28. Bathing Ghats and Temples in Benares (Varanasi) – c1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#29. Group of Jain Temples at Palitana on top of the Satrunjaya Mountain Gujarat – 1949
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#30. Brick Temple Known as Durga Temple at East of the Village of Para, Manbhum District (Now in Purulia District), Bengal – 1872
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#31. Photograph of the Taj Mahal by Samuel Bourne, 1860s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#32. The Peruvudaiyar Kovil or Brihadeeswarar Temple, Tamilnadu
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#33. Photograhs of Jagannath Temple, Puri in Orissa – 1890’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#34. Rock Fort Temple in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu – c1880’s
Image Source: Old Indian Photos
#35. Dakshineswar Kali Temple in Calcutta (Kolkata) – c1890’s
