The name Bata has been synonymous with everyday footwear in India for generations. However, interestingly, despite its deep roots in the social lifestyle of the country, Bata is not an Indian company.
The story begins in 1894 in Zlín, a small town in Czechoslovakia (presently the Czech Republic), where Tomáš Bata founded the company.
With its efficient production methods and affordable shoes, the company quickly expanded beyond Europe, and by the 1930s, Bata was setting up factories across the world.
Bata’s Arrival in India
In 1931, Bata arrived in India, establishing a manufacturing unit in a small township near Kolkata called Batanagar. The factory was not only brought mechanised shoe production to India, but also created a self-sufficient township for workers. Over time, Batanagar became a thriving industrial hub.
What makes the Bata story unique and relevant is how completely it blended into India’s cultural fabric and mass lifestyle.
While it retained its Czech origins, it marketed itself as a people’s brand that is reliable, affordable, and Indian in spirit, so much so that many Indians often assume Bata is an Indian company.
Today, Bata operates in more than 70 countries, but its identity in India remains distinct.
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