Newly Completed Taj Mahal Palace Hotel Bombay, 1903 Photo
A rare 1903 photo shows the newly completed Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Bombay (Mumbai). Probably one of the earliest and rarest photos of the Taj Palace Mahal Hotel. This iconically famous landmark majestically faces the sea at Apollo Bunder. However, from the 1920s, it faced another iconic landmark the Gateway of India as well.
Taking a closer look at the photo, the Hotel did not seem to have opened up for business yet. Probably because of the finishing works likely being carried out. Noticeable in the photo are the scaffoldings and rope ladders being used around the building. Plastering work can be seen being carried out above the back entrance of the Hotel.
Also visible are rope ladders that hang out from the top of the central dome and the side windows (see images). Today the Taj Hotel looks slightly different from that shown in this 1903 photo. To see the present-day Taj go to – Mumbai’s Taj Mahal Palace, one year after reopening.
Did you know – during WWI it was converted into a 600-bed hospital, just as was the case with the Prince of Wales Museum.
From the collection –1964 M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal On Paper Nude (#3)., New Market British Era Kolkata, Old Postcard 1916., Breach Of The Madras Iron Pier – Old Print 1895., Maharajah’s Motor Car – Old Photograph 1912.
