Standing as a testament to time itself, Mumbai’s iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has now joined a very special, elite international club, along the likes of the Empire State building, the Eiffel Tower and the Sydney Opera house, being the first Indian structure to be trademarked.

Architecturally created in an Indo-saracenic style, this hotel gifted the citizens of Mumbai an experience unlike any other hotel in the country. It is said that Jamshedji Tata built the hotel in order to create something “worthy of Bombay,” and boy, did he ever! They imported fans from America, got elevators built using German technology, installed Turkish baths and English butlers, all in the name of luxurious living. This feat is even more impressive keeping in mind the year it was built, 1903. Nothing but the best for this city!

From converting into a 600-bed hospital during the first World War, to acting as a guiding apparatus for the Indian navy before the conception of the Gateway of India – In its 114 years of existence, it has served people in more ways than that of a mere hotel.

In order to trademark a building, there must be proof of distinction from the rest. The amalgamation of the diverse architectural designs is one of the factors that sets apart this hotel. With Victorian-gothic, Romanesque and Arab details, the ‘Diamond by the sea’ truly is unlike any other.

Feature image courtesy of Taj Mahal Hotels