Taj Mahal Palace and Towers was a symbol of national pride even before it was built. There is a story that Jamshedji Tata built Taj Mahal after he was refused entry into one of city's hotels because he was an Indian. It might just be irony that Taj went on to become a favourite with foreign tourists in India. Why not? After all, Taj Mahal Palace was constructed even before the Gateway of India was finished in 1928. And till today, it attracts more onlookers than the Gateway.
Jamshed Khanna, Heritage Building Expert, said, "Tata bought geysers from Germany, chandeliers from France, and he wanted to make it into one of the most beautiful iconic structures.”
Legend also says that when the hotel went into losses once, Jamshetji had put in money from other businesses to support it. Tata Group which is now known for its strategic acquisitions also might have made its earliest with Taj Mahal. In 1970, Green's Hotel at Apollo Bunder was bought out by the group and was integrated into Taj Mahal making it Taj Mahal Palace and Towers.
But this hotel had its share of bad times. A story says that this beautifully adorned hotel was turned into a hospital during World War I. But it probably saw more blood and violence last week during terror attack than it did during times of war.
Gerson da Cunha, Social Activist, said, “Taj was ablaze, the roof was ablaze and I went to sleep with an immense sense of disappointment that this is the end of Taj.”
But the end was not come so soon. After all Taj Mahal, which is built in stone, is a pillar of strength, literally and otherwise just like the spirit of Mumbai.
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