Air India was started in 1932 by industrialist JRD Tata. Then its name was Tata Airlines. 1933 was the first commercial year for Tata Airlines. This year, Tata Airlines ships have flown about 160,000 miles. British royal 'Royal Air Force' pilot Homi Bharucha was the first

pilot of Tata Airlines, while JRD Tata and Vincent were the second and third pilots.
After the Second World War, on 29 July 1946, Tata Airlines became a 'Public Limited' company and its name was changed to 'Air India Limited'. After the independence of the country, the

Government of India first took 49 percent participation in Air India. Further in 1953, the Government of India passed the Air Corporation Act and then bought a majority stake in the company from the Tata group. Thus Tata Airlines became the official Air India.

This poster is from when India and Pakistan were not partitioned. You can see and understand the route of Air India in this poster.
Image source : 1946-47 network map of Air India Ltd (then Tata Airlines).