Prior to the 20th century the documentation of British Indian subjects travelling abroad was largely unregulated. The Public and Judicial Department of the Government of India was responsible for the issuing of passports, visas and Certificates of Identity at a number of designated offices in India.

The modern passport was introduced during the First World War in 1917. Unfortunately passports for the period 1917-32 have been destroyed. An incomplete series, L/PJ /11, of 7,541 passports covering 1932-49 have survived and is available for inspection at the British Library. Some of the passports have been indexed by surname.

Duplicate copies of blue passports issued in India to British subjects and protected British subjects (from princely states) were sent back to Britain. They contain biographical data including name, date and place of birth, profession, family details, places for which the passport was valid, physical characteristics and a black and white photograph.

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