Trusting the family: A short history of Tata Sons ownership

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The weight and might of the 18 per cent stake in Tata Sons inherited by Cyrus Mistry's father Pallonji Shapoorji played a key role in him trumping international competition to take up the corner office at Bombay House. This stake will come into play again if things turn less friendly between the Mistrys and their fellow shareholders: Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which between them own 66 per cent and are headed by Ratan Tata. Here's a look at how the Mistrys and the trusts came to own their Tata Sons shares: