Taj Hotels is one of the most lavish and globally recognised hotel brands known for its unparallel hospitality and services. Recently, Taj was rated as the strongest hotel brand in the world by Brand Finance. In fact, Taj Hotels have several such prestigious recognitions to its credit. Some of those include Condé Nast Traveller India Readers’ Travel Awards and Travel + Leisure’s annual World’s Best Awards 2018 among several others.

However, not many of us know the real reason behind the establishment of one of India’s most elite hotels and it involves a story of pride, courage, and revenge.

The real reason

It is said and believed that Jamsetji Tata, founder of the Tata industries was once denied entry into one of the grandest hotels of British time ‘Watson’s Hotel’. It is said that the hotel services were exclusive only to white people. Being a successful and established industrialist and more than that a devoted Indian, Tata took it as an insult and mockery of the entire Indian community. 

That day, he vowed t build a luxury hotel in India that will be known for its service, hospitality, and grandeur where not only Indians but even foreigners could also stay without any restrictions.

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Today, Tata’s Taj Hotels chain is one of the most prestigious super-luxury hotel hotels in the world. The popularity and demand of its hospitality is such that foreigners have to wait for months to get a reservation in Taj hotels.

The story of Taj’s foundation

Popularly known as the ‘diamond by the sea’ the Taj Mahal Palace of Mumbai is celebrated as an architectural jewel. The foundation of the Taj was laid in 1898 by Jamsetji Tata. The hotel became operational for the first time on December 16, 1902. The Taj hotel was built even before the Gateway of India came into existence.  It was also the first building in Mumbai, then Bombay to be lit by electricity. The hotel is made up of two different buildings: the Taj Mahal Palace and the Tower. The Palace was built at the start of the twentieth century, while the Tower was opened in 1973.

The historical guest list

The iconic Taj Hotels had hosted some of the legendary characters of old and modern-day politics, sports, and the entertainment industry.

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Ratanbai Petit, the second wife of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, lived in the hotel, apart from that U.S. President Barack Obama, the Beatles, Mick Jagger, Russell Brand and Hillary Clinton have also stayed here.

During the first World War, the hotel was converted into a military hospital with 600 beds.