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The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, is celebrating 115 years of excellence

The iconic flagship has set a benchmark for fine living with exquisite refinement, inventiveness and warmth

One of the original grand hotels of the world, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, has grown to become an integral part of the city's history, and indeed, its heart. Determined to give Bombay a landmark that would place it amongst the greatest cities of the world, Jamsetji N. Tata built this icon in 1903. At the time, it was probably the only place in the world where a British Viceroy could rub shoulders with an Indian Maharajah. Predating the Gateway of India by almost two decades, it was the Taj that welcomed the world to the city's shores.
As decades passed, and its reputation spread, the guests grew even more varied. It has been home to heads of state and celebrities, kings and queens and Hollywood royalty, Maharajahs and rock stars. In fact, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, represented the global village before the term became a cliché. Celebrating 115 years in December 2018, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, the iconic flagship has set a benchmark for fine living with exquisite refinement, inventiveness and warmth.
The architecture of the hotel reflects Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. It showcases contemporary Indian influences along with beautiful vaulted alabaster ceilings, onyx columns, hand-woven silk carpets, crystal chandeliers and an eclectic collection of furniture.

Palace Corridor
An architectural wonder in terms of its structure and interiors, the Taj is also known for the medley of precious artworks that reflect an important era of creativity in Indian history. Significant works were acquired from 1968 to the 70s and these represent foremost artists working in India in the Post-Independence era. M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, Jamini Roy, Tyeb Mehta, K.H. Ara, N.S. Bendre, Jehangir Sabavala, B. Vithal, B. Prabha, Baiju Parthan, Bose Krishnamachari, Krishen Khanna, V.S. Gaitonde and others have left at the hotel their indelible signature.
Continuing the legacy of The Taj Mahal Palace, additions are being made to the existing collection through acquiring the works of young and emerging artists. These great works of art in the hotels repository stand as testament to the changing patterns of history.
With its distinctive red dome that has defined Mumbai's skyline since 1903, the silhouette of the iconic hotel has been a symbol of rich heritage as it established itself as India's finest hotel. Crowned with a red, tilted 240 ft. high Florentine gothic dome that is still an official triangulation point for ships of the Indian Navy to fix their position in the harbour, the construction of this masterpiece was completed by W.A. Chambers. Serving as the first clear marker of Bombay Harbour that could be seen from the sea, the dome has become one of the outstanding landmarks of Mumbai. Taj has been a forerunner in placing Indian hospitality on the global map and continues to strengthen its position as India's first building to have been accepted as a trademark. Visit www.tajhotels.com