Indian Curreny Old Photos

Mahatma Gandhi series was introduced in 1996, less than 20 years ago. However the first note with Mahatma Gandhi on it was introduced in 1987. The existing series (introduced in 1976) did not include 500Rs Notes. A different design of 10 rs notes was introduced in 1992, though it did not belong to any series and neither did it feature Mahatma Gandhiji on it.

Prior to that in 1969 commemorative notes featuring Mahatma Gandhiji (1969 was Birth Centenary of Gandhiji) were introduced in denominations of Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 100. But these were commemorative notes and not the normal series. Only the reverse of the then existing series (Ashoka Column - second issue) was changed to incorporate Mahatma Gandhiji in the design.

But since you asked for the Notes before Mahatma Gandhi (series), here they are:

What did Indian currency (notes) look like before Mahatma Gandhi?

Mahatma Gandhi series was introduced in 1996, less than 20 years ago. However the first note with Mahatma Gandhi on it was introduced in 1987. The existing series (introduced in 1976) did not include 500Rs Notes. A different design of 10 rs notes was introduced in 1992, though it did not belong to any series and neither did it feature Mahatma Gandhiji on it.
Prior to that in 1969 commemorative notes featuring Mahatma Gandhiji (1969 was Birth Centenary of Gandhiji) were introduced in denominations of Rs 2, Rs 5, Rs 10 and Rs 100. But these were commemorative notes and not the normal series. Only the reverse of the then existing series (Ashoka Column - second issue) was changed to incorporate Mahatma Gandhiji in the design.
But since you asked for the Notes before Mahatma Gandhi (series), here they are:

1976 Series:

Rs 2: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Aryabhat Satellite

Rs 5: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: A Farmer ploughing his field with a Tractor

Rs 10: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Peacocks

Rs 20: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Wheel of Konark Temple, Konark, Odisha

Rs 20: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Wheel of Konark Temple, Konark, Odisha

Rs 5o: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Parliament House, New Delhi

Rs 100: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Achievements of Industrialised Agriculture

The 500 Rs Note that was introduced in 1987. It wasnt part of the Mahatma Gandhi series.

Rs 500: Obverse: Mahatma Gandhi, Reverse: Dandi March

The 10 Rs note that was Introduced, without being part of any series in 1992.

Rs 10: Obverse: Lion Capital, Reverse: Shalimar bagh, Jammu and Kashmir