The billion-dollar Indian conglomerate ITC was originally founded as the Indian Tobacco Company and later expanded its portfolio to include the luxury hotel trade, among other businesses. ITC knows that the growth potential of anonymous hotel chains is at best limited to the budget segment. In addition, like its demographics and gross national product, India’s national confidence has experienced a sizeable boost. “Western” hotels no longer fit this new identity; there’s too many of them anyway. ITC therefore devised a strategy of celebrating India’s new status with hotels that pay homage to the respective dynasties. Because India was shaped by numerous ruling groups, architects have an abundance of cultural riches to draw inspiration from when designing these luxurious buildings.