Some time last year, the British Library released {or donated} over a million images to the public domain. Digitised from historical books and records in the library’s collection, these images offer a glimpse of India as it existed in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, through splendid sketches, drawing, engravings and photographs.
On the occasion of Independence Day, we waded through the vast warehouse and discovered these visual gems from Delhi and Bombay. We particularly love the photograph of the real Church Gate which lent its name to the present-day railway station in Mumbai, as well as the engraving of unnamed ruins in south Delhi!
Scroll through for a peek into the glorious past of these cities: