Actually a correction. They were not RISAT images. But was from ISRO's stable.
They were a little less clear than the google earth images of today. Black and White.
Great thread!
Way back in 1999, I did see one image of RISAT that was being used in our university by some surveyors I believe from NRSA. They did push me away, but not before I saw cars on the roads from those pictures!