The exhibition of pictures has been taken to the country by Mercury's mother Jer Bulsara - herself born there - and his sister Kash.

Freddie Mercury in his heyday

Mercury, who was the lead singer and primary song writer of the popular band Queen, died aged 45 from an Aids-related condition in 1991.

He spent most of his childhood in Bombay and formed his first band at the school he attended in the town.

The exhibition has been organised by the British Council and the independent Mercury Phoenix Trust to raise Aids awareness in India.

The Indian government estimates that five million people are infected with the virus, although some experts believe the number to be higher.

The show's 94 pictures were taken by some of the world's leading photographers. They span the length of Mercury's life - even showing him as a triumphant five-month-old infant winning a Baby of the Year competition.

Mercury's real name was Farookh Bulsara. He was born in Zanzibar off the coast of Tanzania in 1946 and went to St Peter's Boarding School near Bombay.

He began singing for the school choir at the age of seven, later forming his first band, the Hectics.

Jer Bulsara has taken the photos back to her homeland

In 1964, the Bulsara family moved to Middlesex, England.

By 1970, Mercury had joined up with Brian May, Roger Taylor and John Deacon to form what would later become Queen.

Queen launched itself on the rock world in 1973.

Their string of hits in the 1970s and 1980s included Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, We Are The Champions and Another One Bites The Dust.

Earlier this year, Mercury was honoured on a commemorative British stamp in recognition of his contribution to the Live Aid charity concert in 1985.