Taj Mahal Palace Hotel - Revision history

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← Older revision		Revision as of 01:23, 15 August 2023
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	== See also ==		== See also ==
	~~{{Portal\|Hotels\|India\|Architecture}}~~
	* [[Leopold Cafe]]		* [[Leopold Cafe]]
	* [[Penhallow Hotel fire]]		* [[Penhallow Hotel fire]]

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← Older revision		Revision as of 07:56, 14 December 2021
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	\| opening_date = 16 December 1903		\| opening_date = 16 December 1903
	\| developer =		\| developer =
	\| architect = Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya		\| architect = Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya,
	D.N. Mirza		D.N. Mirza
	\| operator =		\| operator =
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	\| footnotes =		\| footnotes =
	}}		}}
	'''The Taj Mahal Palace''' is a heritage, five-star, luxury hotel in the [[Colaba]] area of [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India, situated next to the [[Gateway of India]].<ref>[http://www.india-heritage-hotels.com/hotel-category/heritage-grand-hot- Category: Heritage Grand]</ref> Built in the [[Indo-Saracenic architecture\|Saracenic Revival]] style, it opened in 1903 as the '''Taj Mahal Hotel'''<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMyKjyzEW_kC&q=%22Taj+Mahal+Hotel%22+bombay&pg=PA379\|title=Letters from a Life: The Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin Britten, 1913-1976\|volume=4\|first1=Philip\|last1=Reed\|first2=Donald\|last2=Mitchell\|publisher=Boydell Press\|year=2008\|page=379\|isbn=9781843833826}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube\|id=R0UuULHKfco\|title=Shree 420 - Raj Kapoor, Nadira and Lalita Pawar - Bollywood Evergreen Movie}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SixJrUESDcC&q=%22Taj+Palace+Hotel%22+bombay&pg=PT15\|title=Sports Car Market\|date=February 2009\|publisher=Keith Martin}}</ref> and has historically often been known simply as "The Taj". The hotel is named after the [[Taj Mahal]], which is located in the city of [[Agra]] approximately {{convert\|1050\|km\|mi}} from Mumbai. It has been considered one of the finest hotels in the East since the time of the [[British Raj]]. The hotel was one of the main sites targeted in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].		'''The Taj Mahal Palace''' is a heritage, five-star, luxury hotel in the [[Colaba]] area of [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India, situated next to the [[Gateway of India]].<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.india-heritage-hotels.com/hotel-category/heritage-grand-hot-\|title=Category: Heritage Grand}}</ref> Built in the [[Indo-Saracenic architecture\|Saracenic Revival]] style, it opened in 1903 as the '''Taj Mahal Hotel'''<ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMyKjyzEW_kC&q=%22Taj+Mahal+Hotel%22+bombay&pg=PA379\|title=Letters from a Life: The Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin Britten, 1913-1976\|volume=4\|first1=Philip\|last1=Reed\|first2=Donald\|last2=Mitchell\|publisher=Boydell Press\|year=2008\|page=379\|isbn=9781843833826}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube\|id=R0UuULHKfco\|title=Shree 420 - Raj Kapoor, Nadira and Lalita Pawar - Bollywood Evergreen Movie}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SixJrUESDcC&q=%22Taj+Palace+Hotel%22+bombay&pg=PT15\|title=Sports Car Market\|date=February 2009\|publisher=Keith Martin}}</ref> and has historically often been known simply as "The Taj". The hotel is named after the [[Taj Mahal]], which is located in the city of [[Agra]] approximately {{convert\|1050\|km\|mi}} from Mumbai. It has been considered one of the finest hotels in the East since the time of the [[British Raj]]. The hotel was one of the main sites targeted in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].

	Part of the [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]], the hotel has 560 rooms and 44 suites and is considered the flagship property of the group; it employs 1,600 staff. The hotel is made up of two different structures: the Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower, which are historically and architecturally distinct from each other (the Taj Mahal Palace was built in 1903; the Tower was opened in 1972).		Part of the [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]], the hotel has 560 rooms and 44 suites and is considered the flagship property of the group; it employs 1,600 staff. The hotel is made up of two different structures: the Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower, which are historically and architecturally distinct from each other (the Taj Mahal Palace was built in 1903; the Tower was opened in 1972).

	The hotel has a long and distinguished history, having received many notable guests, from presidents to captains of industry and show business stars.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8084055/Barack-Obamas-Indian-delegation-books-800-rooms-in-Mumbai.html\|title=Barack Obama's Indian delegation 'books 800 rooms in Mumbai'\|first=Philip\|last=Sherwell\|newspaper=The Telegraph\|date=24 Oct 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://qz.com/658038/panama-peppers-the-restaurants-in-india-that-only-those-with-great-tax-shelters-can-afford\|title='Panama Peppers:' The restaurants in India that only those with great tax shelters can afford\|work=Quartz\|date=April 8, 2016\|first=Itika Sharma\|last=Punit}}</ref>		The hotel has a long and distinguished history, having received many notable guests, from presidents to captains of industry and show business stars.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8084055/Barack-Obamas-Indian-delegation-books-800-rooms-in-Mumbai.html\|title=Barack Obama's Indian delegation 'books 800 rooms in Mumbai'\|first=Philip\|last=Sherwell\|newspaper=The Telegraph\|date=24 Oct 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web\|url=http://qz.com/658038/panama-peppers-the-restaurants-in-india-that-only-those-with-great-tax-shelters-can-afford\|title='Panama Peppers:' The restaurants in India that only those with great tax shelters can afford\|work=Quartz\|date=April 8, 2016\|first=Itika Sharma\|last=Punit}}</ref>

	== History ==		== History ==
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	[[Ratanbai Petit]], the second wife of the founder of [[Pakistan]], [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], lived in the hotel during her last days in 1929; her sister-in-law, Sylla Tata, had born into the [[Tata family]], builders and owners of the hotel.<ref name="TragicLoveStory">{{cite news\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101121/spectrum/book1.htm\|title=OFF THE SHELF, Tragic love story\|first=V. N.\|last=Datta\|newspaper=Tribune India\|date=November 21, 2010}}</ref>		[[Ratanbai Petit]], the second wife of the founder of [[Pakistan]], [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], lived in the hotel during her last days in 1929; her sister-in-law, Sylla Tata, had born into the [[Tata family]], builders and owners of the hotel.<ref name="TragicLoveStory">{{cite news\|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101121/spectrum/book1.htm\|title=OFF THE SHELF, Tragic love story\|first=V. N.\|last=Datta\|newspaper=Tribune India\|date=November 21, 2010}}</ref>

	By 1966 the Taj Mahal Hotel had become neglected and run-down, perhaps as a result of losing the British customers after [[Indian independence movement\|Indian independence]].<ref>{{YouTube\|id=TRo9T-aGjE4\|title=Last Batch Of British Troops Leave India (1948) {{!}} British Pathé}}</ref> The Taj Mahal Hotel was home to legendary Jazz musician Micky Correa, "The Sultan of Swing" from 1936–1960.<ref>~~[http~~://www.livemint.com/Leisure/d71vX14TxwTNdjAKK8c4PJ/Excerpt--Long-gone-blues.html ~~ELong~~ gone blues~~, Live Mint, Dec 03~~ 2011]</ref><ref>{{cite book\|title=Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age\|date=November 16, 2012\|first=Naresh\|last=Fernandes\|publisher=Roli Books}}</ref>		By 1966 the Taj Mahal Hotel had become neglected and run-down, perhaps as a result of losing the British customers after [[Indian independence movement\|Indian independence]].<ref>{{YouTube\|id=TRo9T-aGjE4\|title=Last Batch Of British Troops Leave India (1948) {{!}} British Pathé}}</ref> The Taj Mahal Hotel was home to legendary Jazz musician Micky Correa, "The Sultan of Swing" from 1936–1960.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/d71vX14TxwTNdjAKK8c4PJ/Excerpt--Long-gone-blues.html\|title=Excerpt \| Long gone blues\|date=3 December 2011\|website=mint}}</ref><ref>{{cite book\|title=Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age\|date=November 16, 2012\|first=Naresh\|last=Fernandes\|publisher=Roli Books}}</ref>

	===Expansion===		===Expansion===
	[[File:Taj Mahal Tower.jpg\|thumb\|140px\|left\|The 1972 wing, today called The Taj Mahal Tower]]		[[File:Taj Mahal Tower.jpg\|thumb\|140px\|left\|The 1972 wing, today called The Taj Mahal Tower]]
	Management of the Taj Mahal Hotel was franchised to [[Pan Am]]'s [[InterContinental\|Inter-Continental Hotels]] division in 1972 and it was renamed '''The Taj Mahal Inter-Continental''', with the new tower wing opening that same year.<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/the-taste-with-vir-sanghvi-here-s-why-indians-shy-away-from-hotels-with-foreign-brand-names/story-heI6UfseUQbflBvWF75TBJ.html</ref> Known today as The Taj Mahal Tower,<ref>{{cite web\|author=Shyamal Majumdar \|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-story-of-taj-111121700080_1.html \|title=The story of Taj \| Business Standard News \|publisher=Business-standard.com \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> it was designed jointly by Daraius Batliwala & Rustom Patell, with the latter having a greater focus later on.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Credits \|url=http://www.architecturaldigest.com/ad/travel/hotels/2008-09/taj_slideshow_092008 \|title=AD Hotels: The Taj Mahal Palace Tower Photos \|publisher=Architectural Digest \|date=2008-08-31 \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Also in the 1970s, [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]] was organized. The company built new properties and converted palaces into heritage hotels. In 1980, the chain expanded overseas. The franchise agreement with Inter-Continental ended in 1995 and the hotel again became the Taj Mahal Hotel.

	In 2003, in honor of the hotel's centennial, it was renamed '''The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower'''.<ref>https://www.rediff.com/money/2003/sep/05indhotel.htm?print=true</ref>		Management of the Taj Mahal Hotel was franchised to [[Pan Am]]'s [[InterContinental\|Inter-Continental Hotels]] division in 1972 and it was renamed '''The Taj Mahal Inter-Continental''', with the new tower wing opening that same year.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/the-taste-with-vir-sanghvi-here-s-why-indians-shy-away-from-hotels-with-foreign-brand-names/story-heI6UfseUQbflBvWF75TBJ.html\|title=The Taste with Vir Sanghvi: Here’s why Indians shy away from hotels with foreign brand names\|date=11 April 2018\|website=Hindustan Times}}</ref> Known today as The Taj Mahal Tower,<ref>{{cite web\|author=Shyamal Majumdar \|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-story-of-taj-111121700080_1.html \|title=The story of Taj \| Business Standard News \|publisher=Business-standard.com \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> it was designed jointly by Daraius Batliwala & Rustom Patell, with the latter having a greater focus later on.<ref>{{cite web\|author=Credits \|url=http://www.architecturaldigest.com/ad/travel/hotels/2008-09/taj_slideshow_092008 \|title=AD Hotels: The Taj Mahal Palace Tower Photos \|publisher=Architectural Digest \|date=2008-08-31 \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Also in the 1970s, [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]] was organized. The company built new properties and converted palaces into heritage hotels. In 1980, the chain expanded overseas. The franchise agreement with Inter-Continental ended in 1995 and the hotel again became the Taj Mahal Hotel.

			In 2003, in honor of the hotel's centennial, it was renamed '''The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower'''.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2003/sep/05indhotel.htm?print=true\|title=Indian Hotels eyes global marketing ties\|website=www.rediff.com}}</ref>

	The hotel received extensive international exposure in 2008 during a terrorist attack and reopened after extensive repairs.		The hotel received extensive international exposure in 2008 during a terrorist attack and reopened after extensive repairs.

	=== 2008 Mumbai attacks ===		=== 2008 Mumbai attacks ===
	[[File:Taj_mahal_dedistorted.jpg\|thumb~~\|250px~~\|A view of hotel with smoke during the [[2008 Mumbai attacks\|attack]]\|alt=]]		[[File:Taj_mahal_dedistorted.jpg\|thumb\|A view of hotel with smoke during the [[2008 Mumbai attacks\|attack]]\|alt=]]
	{{Main\|2008 Mumbai attacks}}		{{Main\|2008 Mumbai attacks}}
	[[File:Secretary Clinton Signs Memorial Book at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (3731618418).jpg\|thumb~~\|250px~~\|Hillary Clinton at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]]		[[File:Secretary Clinton Signs Memorial Book at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (3731618418).jpg\|thumb\|Hillary Clinton at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]]
	[[File:Mumbai_Skyline_from_Elephanta_boat.jpg\|thumb~~\|250px~~\|[[Gateway of India]], Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and [[Mumbai]] skyline from [[Elephanta Island]] ferry]]		[[File:Mumbai_Skyline_from_Elephanta_boat.jpg\|thumb\|[[Gateway of India]], Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and [[Mumbai]] skyline from [[Elephanta Island]] ferry]]
	Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was specifically chosen by [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], a [[terrorism\|terror]] group who attacked multiple targets,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/ten-years-after-mumbai-the-group-responsible-is-deadlier-than-ever/\|title=Ten Years After Mumbai, the Group Responsible is Deadlier Than Ever\|date=2018-11-26\|website=War on the Rocks\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-03-27}}</ref> for an attack so that it will be "striking a blow against a symbol of Indian wealth and progress".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Foster \|first=Peter \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3529804/Bombay-terror-attacks-Why-the-Taj-Mahal-Hotel-was-chosen.html \|title=Bombay terror attacks: Why the Taj Mahal Hotel was chosen \|publisher=Telegraph \|date=2008-11-27 \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> The hotel was attacked on 26 November 2008, during which material damage occurred, including the destruction of the hotel's roof in the hours following.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/27/mumbai-terror-attacks\|title=Dozens still held hostage in Mumbai after a night of terror attacks\|access-date=28 November 2008\|work=The Guardian\|date=27 November 2008 \| location=London \| first=Randeep \| last=Ramesh}}</ref> Hostages were taken during the attacks, and at least 167 people were killed, including many foreigners. The casualties were mostly Indian citizens, although westerners carrying foreign passports were singled out.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSQtBBtiQFk Mumbai 26/11 terror attack- Taj Mahal hotel under siege ~~TIMES NOW Nov 25, 2014]~~</ref> Indian commandos killed the terrorists barricaded in the hotel, to end the three-day battle on 29 November.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDROrLtc6GM \|title=Terror in Mumbai \|publisher=YouTube \|date=2014-01-21 \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> At least [[Casualties of the 2008 Mumbai attacks#Casualties at Taj Mahal Hotel\|31 died at the Taj]]. Approximately 450 people were staying in the Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel at the time of the seizure.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7754438.stm\|title=Timeline: Mumbai under attack \|access-date=3 December 2008\|work=BBC News\|date=1 December 2008}}</ref> The attack was planned using information compiled by [[David Headley]], a Pakistani-American, who had stayed at the hotel multiple times.
			Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was specifically chosen by [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], a [[terrorism\|terror]] group who attacked multiple targets,<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/ten-years-after-mumbai-the-group-responsible-is-deadlier-than-ever/\|title=Ten Years After Mumbai, the Group Responsible is Deadlier Than Ever\|date=2018-11-26\|website=War on the Rocks\|language=en-US\|access-date=2019-03-27}}</ref> for an attack so that it will be "striking a blow against a symbol of Indian wealth and progress".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Foster \|first=Peter \|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3529804/Bombay-terror-attacks-Why-the-Taj-Mahal-Hotel-was-chosen.html \|title=Bombay terror attacks: Why the Taj Mahal Hotel was chosen \|publisher=Telegraph \|date=2008-11-27 \|access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> The hotel was attacked on 26 November 2008, during which material damage occurred, including the destruction of the hotel's roof in the hours following.<ref>{{cite news\|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/27/mumbai-terror-attacks\|title=Dozens still held hostage in Mumbai after a night of terror attacks\|access-date=28 November 2008\|work=The Guardian\|date=27 November 2008 \| location=London \| first=Randeep \| last=Ramesh}}</ref> Hostages were taken during the attacks, and at least 167 people were killed, including many foreigners. The casualties were mostly Indian citizens, although westerners carrying foreign passports were singled out.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSQtBBtiQFk \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/nSQtBBtiQFk \|archive-date=2021-12-13 \|url-status=live\|title=Mumbai 26/11 terror attack- Taj Mahal hotel under siege\|via=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Indian commandos killed the terrorists barricaded in the hotel, to end the three-day battle on 29 November.<ref>{{cite web\|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDROrLtc6GM \|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/JDROrLtc6GM \|archive-date=2021-12-13 \|url-status=live\|title=Terror in Mumbai \|publisher=YouTube \|date=2014-01-21 \|access-date=2018-06-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref> At least [[Casualties of the 2008 Mumbai attacks#Casualties at Taj Mahal Hotel\|31 died at the Taj]]. Approximately 450 people were staying in the Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel at the time of the seizure.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7754438.stm\|title=Timeline: Mumbai under attack \|access-date=3 December 2008\|work=BBC News\|date=1 December 2008}}</ref> The attack was planned using information compiled by [[David Headley]], a Pakistani-American, who had stayed at the hotel multiple times.

	Soon after (30 November), Tata chairman [[Ratan Tata]] said in an interview with [[CNN]]'s [[Fareed Zakaria]] that they had received advance warning of the attacks and that some countermeasures had been taken. These may have been relaxed before the attack, but in any case were easily sidestepped by the operatives.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/29/india.hotel\|title=Taj Mahal Hotel chairman: We had warning\|access-date=6 September 2013\|publisher=CNN\|date=29 November 2008}}</ref>		Soon after (30 November), Tata chairman [[Ratan Tata]] said in an interview with [[CNN]]'s [[Fareed Zakaria]] that they had received advance warning of the attacks and that some countermeasures had been taken. These may have been relaxed before the attack, but in any case were easily sidestepped by the operatives.<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/29/india.hotel\|title=Taj Mahal Hotel chairman: We had warning\|access-date=6 September 2013\|publisher=CNN\|date=29 November 2008}}</ref>
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	== References ==		== References ==
	{{Reflist\|30em}}		{{Reflist\|30em}}
	[https://www.themouvement.org/guide/10-most-expensive-hotels-in-india/ "Most expensive hotel in India"]		*[https://www.themouvement.org/guide/10-most-expensive-hotels-in-india/ "Most expensive hotel in India"]

	== External links ==		== External links ==
	{{~~Commons category\|Taj Mahal Palace Hotel~~}}		{{Commonscatinline}}
	*{{Official website\|https://taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-mahal-palace-mumbai/}}		*{{Official website\|https://taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-mahal-palace-mumbai/}}

			{{Tata Group}}
	{{Tourist attractions in Mumbai}}		{{Tourist attractions in Mumbai}}
	{{2008 Mumbai attacks}}		{{2008 Mumbai attacks}}

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{{Short description|Five-star hotel in Colaba, Mumbai, India}}
{{Distinguish|Taj Mahal}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox hotel
| hotel_name = The Taj Mahal Palace
| logo =
| logo_width =
| image = Mumbai Aug 2018 (43397784544).jpg
| image_width =
| caption = The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
| location = [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| coordinates = {{coord|18.9220|72.8333|format=dms|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| map_type = India Mumbai
| opening_date = 16 December 1903
| developer =
| architect = Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya
D.N. Mirza
| operator =
| owner = Taj Hotels
| number_of_restaurants = 9
| number_of_rooms = 560
| number_of_suites = 44
| floor_area =
| floors = 6 floors in The Taj Mahal Palace, 20 floors in the Taj Mahal Tower
| parking =
| main_contractor = [[Shapoorji Pallonji Group]]
| website = [https://taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-mahal-palace-mumbai/ ''Official website'']
| footnotes =
}}
'''The Taj Mahal Palace''' is a heritage, five-star, luxury hotel in the [[Colaba]] area of [[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]], India, situated next to the [[Gateway of India]].<ref>[http://www.india-heritage-hotels.com/hotel-category/heritage-grand-hot- Category: Heritage Grand]</ref> Built in the [[Indo-Saracenic architecture|Saracenic Revival]] style, it opened in 1903 as the '''Taj Mahal Hotel'''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AMyKjyzEW_kC&q=%22Taj+Mahal+Hotel%22+bombay&pg=PA379|title=Letters from a Life: The Selected Letters and Diaries of Benjamin Britten, 1913-1976|volume=4|first1=Philip|last1=Reed|first2=Donald|last2=Mitchell|publisher=Boydell Press|year=2008|page=379|isbn=9781843833826}}</ref><ref>{{YouTube|id=R0UuULHKfco|title=Shree 420 - Raj Kapoor, Nadira and Lalita Pawar - Bollywood Evergreen Movie}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-SixJrUESDcC&q=%22Taj+Palace+Hotel%22+bombay&pg=PT15|title=Sports Car Market|date=February 2009|publisher=Keith Martin}}</ref> and has historically often been known simply as "The Taj". The hotel is named after the [[Taj Mahal]], which is located in the city of [[Agra]] approximately {{convert|1050|km|mi}} from Mumbai. It has been considered one of the finest hotels in the East since the time of the [[British Raj]]. The hotel was one of the main sites targeted in the [[2008 Mumbai attacks]].

Part of the [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]], the hotel has 560 rooms and 44 suites and is considered the flagship property of the group; it employs 1,600 staff. The hotel is made up of two different structures: the Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower, which are historically and architecturally distinct from each other (the Taj Mahal Palace was built in 1903; the Tower was opened in 1972).

The hotel has a long and distinguished history, having received many notable guests, from presidents to captains of industry and show business stars.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/8084055/Barack-Obamas-Indian-delegation-books-800-rooms-in-Mumbai.html|title=Barack Obama's Indian delegation 'books 800 rooms in Mumbai'|first=Philip|last=Sherwell|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=24 Oct 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://qz.com/658038/panama-peppers-the-restaurants-in-india-that-only-those-with-great-tax-shelters-can-afford|title='Panama Peppers:' The restaurants in India that only those with great tax shelters can afford|work=Quartz|date=April 8, 2016|first=Itika Sharma|last=Punit}}</ref>

== History ==
===Early years===
[[File:Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay, KITLV 1401209.tiff|thumb|left|The Taj Mahal Hotel, circa 1935]]
[[File:The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.jpg|thumb|left|The original entrance on the west side; now the site of the hotel pool]]

The '''Taj Mahal Hotel''' was commissioned by [[Jamsetji Tata]] and opened its doors to guests on 16 December 1903.

An oft-repeated story concerning the reasoning behind the construction of the hotel was Tata being refused admission into [[Watson's Hotel]], as it was reserved for Europeans. However, the validity of this has been challenged by writer Charles Allen, who wrote that Tata was unlikely to care about such a slight to the extent that he would construct a new hotel. Instead, Allen writes, the Taj was built at the urging of editor of ''[[The Times of India]]'' who felt a hotel "worthy of Bombay" was needed and as a "gift to the city he loved" by Tata.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/dec/03/taj-mahal-hotel-mumbai | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=The Taj Mahal hotel will, as before, survive the threat of destruction | date=3 December 2008 | access-date=24 May 2010 | first=Charles | last=Allen}}</ref>

The original Indian architects were Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza, and the project was completed by an English engineer, W. A. Chambers. The builder was Khansaheb Sorabji Ruttonji Contractor, who also designed and built its famous central floating staircase. The cost of construction was £250,000 (£127 million in 2008 prices).<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/27/mumbai-terror-attacks-india5 | work=[[The Guardian]] | location=London | title=Terrorists target haunts of wealthy and foreign | first=Sadie | last=Gray | date=27 November 2008 | access-date=24 May 2010}}</ref>

Originally, the main entrance was on the land-facing side, where now the pool now sits.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-opinion/a-monument-to-love-mumbais-taj-mahal/article1385285.ece|title=A monument to love – Mumbai's Taj Mahal|newspaper=The Hindu|date=November 29, 2008}}</ref>

During World War I, the Taj Mahal Hotel was converted into a military hospital with 600 beds.

Between 1915 and 1919, work proceeded at Apollo Bundar, to reclaim the land behind the hotel where the [[Gateway of India]] was built in 1924. The Gateway of India soon became a major focal point in Bombay.

The original clientele were mainly the Europeans, the Maharajas and the social elites. Many world-renowned personalities from all fields have since stayed there, from [[Somerset Maugham]] and [[Duke Ellington]] to [[Lord Mountbatten]] and [[Bill Clinton]].

When it opened in 1903, the Taj Mahal Hotel was the first in India to have: electricity, American fans, German elevators, Turkish baths and English butlers. Later, it also had the city's first licensed bar, India's first all-day restaurant, and India's first discotheque, Blow Up.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.vogue.in/content/10-things-know-about-taj-mahal-palace-hotel|title=10 things to know about the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel|first=Rachel|last=Lopez|journal=Vogue|date=January 5, 2012}}</ref> Initially in 1903, it charged Rs 13 for rooms with fans and attached bathrooms, and Rs 20 with full board. During World War I the hotel was converted into a military hospital with 600 beds.

[[Ratanbai Petit]], the second wife of the founder of [[Pakistan]], [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]], lived in the hotel during her last days in 1929; her sister-in-law, Sylla Tata, had born into the [[Tata family]], builders and owners of the hotel.<ref name="TragicLoveStory">{{cite news|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20101121/spectrum/book1.htm|title=OFF THE SHELF, Tragic love story|first=V. N.|last=Datta|newspaper=Tribune India|date=November 21, 2010}}</ref>

By 1966 the Taj Mahal Hotel had become neglected and run-down, perhaps as a result of losing the British customers after [[Indian independence movement|Indian independence]].<ref>{{YouTube|id=TRo9T-aGjE4|title=Last Batch Of British Troops Leave India (1948) {{!}} British Pathé}}</ref> The Taj Mahal Hotel was home to legendary Jazz musician Micky Correa, "The Sultan of Swing" from 1936–1960.<ref>[http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/d71vX14TxwTNdjAKK8c4PJ/Excerpt--Long-gone-blues.html ELong gone blues, Live Mint, Dec 03 2011]</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=Taj Mahal Foxtrot: The Story of Bombay's Jazz Age|date=November 16, 2012|first=Naresh|last=Fernandes|publisher=Roli Books}}</ref>

===Expansion===
[[File:Taj Mahal Tower.jpg|thumb|140px|left|The 1972 wing, today called The Taj Mahal Tower]]
Management of the Taj Mahal Hotel was franchised to [[Pan Am]]'s [[InterContinental|Inter-Continental Hotels]] division in 1972 and it was renamed '''The Taj Mahal Inter-Continental''', with the new tower wing opening that same year.<ref>https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/the-taste-with-vir-sanghvi-here-s-why-indians-shy-away-from-hotels-with-foreign-brand-names/story-heI6UfseUQbflBvWF75TBJ.html</ref> Known today as The Taj Mahal Tower,<ref>{{cite web|author=Shyamal Majumdar |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/the-story-of-taj-111121700080_1.html |title=The story of Taj | Business Standard News |publisher=Business-standard.com |access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> it was designed jointly by Daraius Batliwala & Rustom Patell, with the latter having a greater focus later on.<ref>{{cite web|author=Credits |url=http://www.architecturaldigest.com/ad/travel/hotels/2008-09/taj_slideshow_092008 |title=AD Hotels: The Taj Mahal Palace Tower Photos |publisher=Architectural Digest |date=2008-08-31 |access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> Also in the 1970s, [[Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]] was organized. The company built new properties and converted palaces into heritage hotels. In 1980, the chain expanded overseas. The franchise agreement with Inter-Continental ended in 1995 and the hotel again became the Taj Mahal Hotel.

In 2003, in honor of the hotel's centennial, it was renamed '''The Taj Mahal Palace & Tower'''.<ref>https://www.rediff.com/money/2003/sep/05indhotel.htm?print=true</ref>

The hotel received extensive international exposure in 2008 during a terrorist attack and reopened after extensive repairs.

=== 2008 Mumbai attacks ===
[[File:Taj_mahal_dedistorted.jpg|thumb|250px|A view of hotel with smoke during the [[2008 Mumbai attacks|attack]]|alt=]]
{{Main|2008 Mumbai attacks}}
[[File:Secretary Clinton Signs Memorial Book at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (3731618418).jpg|thumb|250px|Hillary Clinton at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel]]
[[File:Mumbai_Skyline_from_Elephanta_boat.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Gateway of India]], Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and [[Mumbai]] skyline from [[Elephanta Island]] ferry]]
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was specifically chosen by [[Lashkar-e-Taiba]], a [[terrorism|terror]] group who attacked multiple targets,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://warontherocks.com/2018/11/ten-years-after-mumbai-the-group-responsible-is-deadlier-than-ever/|title=Ten Years After Mumbai, the Group Responsible is Deadlier Than Ever|date=2018-11-26|website=War on the Rocks|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-27}}</ref> for an attack so that it will be "striking a blow against a symbol of Indian wealth and progress".<ref>{{cite web|last=Foster |first=Peter |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/india/3529804/Bombay-terror-attacks-Why-the-Taj-Mahal-Hotel-was-chosen.html |title=Bombay terror attacks: Why the Taj Mahal Hotel was chosen |publisher=Telegraph |date=2008-11-27 |access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> The hotel was attacked on 26 November 2008, during which material damage occurred, including the destruction of the hotel's roof in the hours following.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2008/nov/27/mumbai-terror-attacks|title=Dozens still held hostage in Mumbai after a night of terror attacks|access-date=28 November 2008|work=The Guardian|date=27 November 2008 | location=London | first=Randeep | last=Ramesh}}</ref> Hostages were taken during the attacks, and at least 167 people were killed, including many foreigners. The casualties were mostly Indian citizens, although westerners carrying foreign passports were singled out.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSQtBBtiQFk Mumbai 26/11 terror attack- Taj Mahal hotel under siege TIMES NOW Nov 25, 2014]</ref> Indian commandos killed the terrorists barricaded in the hotel, to end the three-day battle on 29 November.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDROrLtc6GM |title=Terror in Mumbai |publisher=YouTube |date=2014-01-21 |access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> At least [[Casualties of the 2008 Mumbai attacks#Casualties at Taj Mahal Hotel|31 died at the Taj]]. Approximately 450 people were staying in the Taj Mahal Palace and Hotel at the time of the seizure.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7754438.stm|title=Timeline: Mumbai under attack |access-date=3 December 2008|work=BBC News|date=1 December 2008}}</ref> The attack was planned using information compiled by [[David Headley]], a Pakistani-American, who had stayed at the hotel multiple times.

Soon after (30 November), Tata chairman [[Ratan Tata]] said in an interview with [[CNN]]'s [[Fareed Zakaria]] that they had received advance warning of the attacks and that some countermeasures had been taken. These may have been relaxed before the attack, but in any case were easily sidestepped by the operatives.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/11/29/india.hotel|title=Taj Mahal Hotel chairman: We had warning|access-date=6 September 2013|publisher=CNN|date=29 November 2008}}</ref>

The less-damaged sections of the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel reopened on 21 December 2008. It took several months to rebuild the popular heritage section of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.<ref>{{cite news | first=Anjana | last=Pasricha | title=Mumbai's Attacked Hotels Reopen | date=21 December 2009 | url =http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-12-21-voa10.cfm | work =[[Voice of America]] | access-date = 22 December 2008 }}</ref>

[[Hillary Clinton]] visited Mumbai in July 2009, aiming to deepen [[India – United States relations]] and stayed at the Taj hotel; she also attended a commemoration event. "I wanted to send a message that I personally and our country is in sympathy and solidarity with the employees and the guests of the Taj who lost their lives … with the people of Mumbai."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/newsMaps/idUSTRE56H0ST20090718|title=Clinton meets Mumbai victims, serenaded by artisans|last=Mohammed|first=Arshad|date=18 July 2009|work=[[Reuters]]|location=Mumbai}}</ref> On 15 August 2010, [[Independence Day (India)|India's Independence Day]], the Taj Mahal Palace was reopened after restoration. The cost of the restoration of the hotel so far has been 1.75 billion rupees. The palace wing has been restored and offers new hotel services.<ref>{{cite news|title=Saying ta-ta to Tata group is a hard thing to do|last=Ved|first=Mahendra|newspaper=New Straits Times|date=16 August 2010|page=17}}</ref>

In March 2010, as restoration work neared completion, the hotel dropped the word "Tower" from its name and became '''The Taj Mahal Palace'''.<ref>https://www.mid-day.com/amp/news/mumbai-news/article/taj-tower-to-be-renamed-76769</ref>

On 6 November 2010, U.S. President [[Barack Obama]] became the first foreign head of state to stay at the Taj Mahal Palace after the attacks. In a speech from the terrace of the hotel, Obama said that "the Taj has been the symbol of the strength and the resilience of the Indian people."<ref>{{cite news|title=Obama visits site of Mumbai attacks, praises India's resilience|url=http://articles.latimes.com/2010/nov/06/world/la-fgw-obama-mumbai-20101107|access-date=4 July 2011|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]]|first=Christi|last=Parsons|date=6 November 2010}}</ref>
The attack on the hotel is portrayed in the 2018 movie ''[[Hotel Mumbai]]''.

===Recent history===
In 2017, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel acquired an image [[trademark]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Vantage Asia Editor |url=https://www.vantageasia.com/trademarking-the-taj/ |title=Trademarking the Taj |publisher=Vantageasia.com |access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref> the first building in the country to secure [[intellectual property rights|intellectual-property-right]] protection for its [[architectural design]].<ref>{{cite news |title=114-year-old Taj Palace becomes first Indian building to get trademark |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/taj-palace-first-building-to-get-trademark/articleshow/59210141.cms |access-date=17 September 2019 |newspaper=Times of India|date=19 June 2017|first1=Reeba|last1=Zachariah|first2=Vipashana|last2=V K}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=Jun 19, 2017|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mumbais-taj-palace-becomes-first-indian-building-get-trademark-731304 |title=Mumbai's Taj Palace becomes first Indian building to get trademark|work=International Business Times India |access-date=2018-06-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/mumbais-taj-mahal-palace-hotel-acquires-image-trademark-4712121/ |title=Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace hotel acquires image trademark |publisher=The Indian Express |access-date=2018-06-02|author=PTI|author-link=Press Trust of India}}</ref>

== In media ==
* {{cite book|first1=William|last1=Warren|first2=Jill|last2=Gocher|title=Asia's Legendary Hotels: The Romance of Travel|location=Singapore|publisher=[[Periplus Editions]]|year=2007|isbn=978-0-7946-0174-4}}
* The hotel is the primary setting of the novel ''Night in Bombay'' (1940) by the American novelist [[Louis Bromfield]].
* It has also been mentioned in the short story "Sahab Bahadur" by Indian writer Sultan Rashed Mirza, Farhat Ullah Baaaig, and in the novel ''Delinquent Chacha'' by [[Ved Mehta]].
* It was portrayed as a dream destination for a schoolboy to visit in the Marathi movie ''Taryanche Bait''.
* [[Michael Palin]] spent the night in episode 4 of [[Michael Palin: Around the World in 80 Days]].
* The hotel is the setting for the 2015 film ''[[Taj Mahal (2015 film)|Taj Mahal]]''.
* The hotel is the setting for the 2018 film ''[[Hotel Mumbai]]'' about the attacks, starring [[Dev Patel]] and [[Armie Hammer]].
* Hotel Grand Palace is another name for Hotel Taj Mahal{{dubious|date=August 2018}}. This name has been used by people as a translation of the [[Hindi]] version of Taj Mahal, especially by authors. Such authors as [[Jeffrey Archer]] have used this term in their novels.
*The hotel was the subject of a four-part [[BBC Two]] [[fly on the wall]] [[documentary]] series starting in August 2014, called ''Hotel India''.<ref name=indy>{{cite news|last1=Leadbeater|first1=Chris|title=Hotel India: Mumbai's Taj Mahal Palace leaves its darker days behind|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/asia/hotel-india-mumbais-taj-mahal-palace-leaves-its-darker-days-behind-9692129.html|access-date=28 August 2014|work=The Independent|date=26 August 2014}}</ref>
*The hotel was a shooting location for [[Christopher Nolan]]{{'s}} film ''[[Tenet (film)|Tenet]]'', released in August 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/christopher-nolan-to-film-tenet-action-scene-at-mumbai-s-colaba-causeway-taj-mahal-hotel-here-s-when/story-g5PwLTTOtGggXoqDmz7m7I.html|title=Christopher Nolan to film Tenet action scene at Mumbai's Colaba Causeway, Taj Mahal Hotel; here's when|date=August 28, 2019|website=[[Hindustan Times]]|archive-date=September 3, 2019|archive-url=https://archive.today/20190903104211/https://www.hindustantimes.com/hollywood/christopher-nolan-to-film-tenet-action-scene-at-mumbai-s-colaba-causeway-taj-mahal-hotel-here-s-when/story-g5PwLTTOtGggXoqDmz7m7I.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery mode="packed">
File:Main Dome of Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.jpg|The dome of the hotel's old wing
File:The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel (Night View).jpg|An evening view of the hotel
File:Gateway of India , Hotel Taj and ,Oberoi Hotels , Mumbai, Mahrashtra, India.jpg|A view of the hotel with the [[Gateway of India]], as seen from the [[Arabian Sea]]
File:Taj Mahal Hotel, Bombay postcard (1908).jpg|The hotel, in 1908
</gallery>
{{clear}}

== See also ==
{{Portal|India|Architecture}}
* [[Leopold Cafe]]
* [[Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus]]
* [[Oberoi Trident]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
[https://www.themouvement.org/guide/10-most-expensive-hotels-in-india/ "Most expensive hotel in India"]

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Taj Mahal Palace Hotel}}
*{{Official website|https://taj.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj-mahal-palace-mumbai/}}

{{Tourist attractions in Mumbai}}
{{2008 Mumbai attacks}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, The}}
[[Category:The Leading Hotels of the World]]
[[Category:1903 establishments in India]]
[[Category:2008 Mumbai attacks]]
[[Category:Hotels established in 1903]]
[[Category:Hotel buildings completed in 1903]]
[[Category:Hotels in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces]]
[[Category:Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture]]

[[he:מתקפת הטרור במומבאי (2008)#מלון טאג' מאהל]]