Taj Mahal Palace Hotel historical timeline

Last updated on October 20, 2026

8 /10

Overall rating

Rate

The hotel's chronology joins Tata enterprise, Mumbai hospitality, architectural expansion and recovery after violence.

Chronology

1898 Construction begins on Jamsetji Tata's new harbour-facing hotel.
16 December 1903 The Taj Mahal Hotel opens to its first guests.
Early 20th century The Palace establishes major dining, ballroom and accommodation spaces before completion of the Gateway opposite.
1973 The modern Tower wing opens beside the original building, expanding capacity and changing the complex's profile.
November 2008 The hotel is attacked during the coordinated Mumbai attacks; staff and guests are among those killed.
2010 The restored Palace wing fully reopens, continuing hotel use after extensive repair.

Verified against Taj Hotels, October 2026.

Sources & verification Covers the sourced claims on this page.

Checked against Taj Hotels — The Taj Mahal Palace is a working harbour-front hotel opened in 1903; interior access depends on a stay, dining, event or confirmed operator-approved experience., The original Palace and later Tower are distinct but connected parts of the operating Taj Mahal Palace complex. (October 2026).
Checked against Tata Central Archives — Jamsetji Tata’s hotel project began construction in 1898 and opened in 1903. (October 2026).
Checked against Wikipedia — The Tower opened in 1973, the hotel was attacked in November 2008 and the restored Palace wing fully reopened in 2010. (October 2026).