Historical Indian Passports: Pre-Independence Elegance!

Have you ever wondered what the Indian Passport looked like before our nation achieved independence? In this captivating glimpse into the past, we will explore a video archive showcasing an ancient British Indian passport that once belonged to a government clerk during the era of British colonial rule.

The British Indian passport is a tangible piece of history, documenting the travels of its holders to various destinations within and outside the Indian subcontinent. For example, the passport shown in the video archive belonged to a government clerk who traveled to Iraq, Iran, and different regions within British India. His passport photo was in black and white, starkly contrasting the vibrant and colorful ones we see today. Atop the document proudly sat the inscription “British Indian Passport,” just above an emblem that symbolized its colonial origins.

How Did It Look Like?

The passport cover was navy blue, featuring the emblem of the British Empire (i.e., the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom) emblazoned on the front cover. Above the emblem, the words ‘British Indian Passport’ were printed, while ‘Indian Empire’ appeared below. The passport text was in English and French, with additional details handwritten.

A note inside the first page of the passport reads, “These are to request and require in the name of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India all those whom it may concern to allow the bearer to pass freely without let or hindrance, and to afford him every assistance and protection of which he or she may stand in need.”

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