MUMBAI Mumbais Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel, which erupted in flames early Thursday after heavily armed men stormed the building and took guests hostage, is a symbol of national pride for Indians.

The impressive red-domed structure sits opposite the landmark Gateway of India monument on the edge of the Arabian Sea through which the last colonial British troops departed after independence in 1947.

While the 105-year-old Taj saw off the last of the foreign occupiers, its construction also struck a blow in the fight for self-determination.

Legend has it that its creator, a Parsi industrialist called Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, commissioned the building after being refused entry to the now-defunct Apollo Hotel, which had a strict Europeans-only policy.

Completed in 1903, it quickly became the citys best hotel and has arguably retained that accolade to the present day, as well as an iconic place in Mumbaikers hearts as a symbol of cosmopolitan sophistication.

It predates the Gateway of India which was opened in 1924 and was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary.

During World War I, the hotel was converted into a 600-bed hospital.

The hotel faces away from the harbour — a quirk that has often been attributed to an architectural lapse.

In fact, it was deliberately built facing inland in an apparent snub to the British king and a sop to nationalist feelings.

Luxury shops are located in the old part of the hotel while the rooftop cafe and restaurant in the more modern Tower wing, dating from the 1970s, are popular for tea, with superb views high above the city.

Notable guests over the years have included Queen Elizabeth II, former Egyptian president Gamal Abdul Nasser, legendary Beatle John Lennon, Mick Jagger and Jackie Onassis.

Visiting overseas cricket teams normally stay at the hotel during international matches in Mumbai.

England stayed their for a week at the start of their current tour and were due to return in December after the first Test in the western city of Ahmedabad.

Australian cricketing great Shane Warne was on his way to Mumbai when he saw television coverage of the attacks while in transit at Singapore airport early Wednesday.

Warne is skipper of the Rajasthan Royals, who are scheduled to play in Mumbai on December 5 in the Twenty20 Champions League.

`At this stage I am going to stay where I am for the rest of the day, but I reckon we are certainties to be on a flight heading home later today,` Warne said.

`It is just not worth the risk. No amount of money is worth the risk with what is going on over there at the moment.` The Taj hotel has 565 rooms, including 46 suites, and is decorated in Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles. A double room costs between 365 and 425 dollars per night.