Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai, India
Face of 26/11: November 26, 2008: Mumbai fell victim to one of the worst terrorist attacks, killing up to 166 people. The image of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel's front dome, enveloped in a large plume of smoke, is etched into the memory of every Mumbaikar. The iconic symbol of opulence in Mumbai lay under siege for more than 60 hours at the mercy of 4 heavily armed terrorists, which made the Taj the face of the 26/11 attacks.
About the hotel: The foundation of the Taj was laid in 1898, and the hotel opened its gates to the guests for the first time on December 16, 1902, even before the foundation for the Gateway of India was laid (on March 31, 1911). During the First World War (1914-1918), the hotel was converted into a hospital with 600 beds. In 1947, India's first independent speech to the Industry was also made at the hotel.