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Mumbai · Mysteries & legends

Desperate architects, a missing horse and a tower that told the time to a blind woman

Every great city has stories that pass from mouth to mouth, and Mumbai is no exception. Was the Taj built back to front? Why is a neighbourhood called 'black horse' when it went without a horse for half a century? Did the Rajabai Tower ring for a blind mother? On this tour we follow those legends and test them against the record. We end on Marine Drive at sunset, as the sun sinks into the Arabian Sea. Start about two hours before sunset.

  • 5 stops
  • 2.3 km
  • 2 h
  • Free
Start with GPS Read about this stop 1
Orange sunset over the sea from Marine Drive, with the city skyline

The route

Stop by stop

  1. 1 Taj Mahal Palace HotelA hotel that, legend says, was built back to front and born of a racist snub. Historians doubt both stories.
  2. 2 Kala Ghoda, the black horseA district called 'black horse' for half a century without a horse, next to an iron hotel that hosted India's first film show.
  3. 3 Rajabai Clock TowerA tower modelled on Big Ben, named after a mother who, tradition says, ate her supper by the sound of its bells.
  4. 4 Bombay High CourtA palace of justice where Tilak was tried and where, it is said, the stonemasons carved a monkey holding the scales.
  5. 5 Marine Drive, the Queen's NecklaceA three-kilometre promenade on land taken from the sea, which turns into a necklace of lights at night.

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Start with GPS

Guide mode

Walk it with GPS.

Open guide mode on your phone: you’ll see your position and the distance to each stop, and we’ll let you know when you arrive. Then read or listen.

Start with GPS

  1. Turn on your location

  2. Walk to the spot

  3. Check the photo and listen

What you’ll discover

Desperate architects, a missing horse and a tower that told the time to a blind woman

Legend and record

Every stop separates what is proven from what is told, so you can enjoy the mystery without mistaking it for history.

The Taj and Watson's

Two legends about India's most famous hotel, and why historians doubt both.

Sunset on the Queen's Necklace

The tour ends on Marine Drive, Mumbai's great seafront promenade, just as its streetlights come on.

Keep exploring

More routes in Mumbai

Back to Mumbai
HistoryFrom seven islands to megacity: Mumbai of the port, cotton and freedom MixedSouth Mumbai highlights: from the Gateway of India to Oval Maidan

Itineraries

How many days do you have in Mumbai?

We’ve planned it day by day for you: which routes to walk and in what order, what else to see and where to eat.

1

Mumbai in 1 day

All three routes in one full day: the highlights, the history and the legends at dusk.

See the itinerary 2

Mumbai in 2 days

A gentler pace: the three routes over two days, plus extra sights and where to eat.

See the itinerary 3

Mumbai in 3 days

The city in depth: one route a day, extra museums and neighbourhoods, and a day for good food.

See the itinerary