100 Years
100 Stories

06
100 Years 100 Stories
06

Grandiose Beginnings

Within the first decade of its existence, Bharat was already supplying tiles to the who’s who of Bombay, having installed their range of tiles and imported marble in a number of buildings across Mumbai and also in a large number of royal palaces in princely states . From the Maharaja of Baroda's palace to the Sassoon mansion in Malabar Hill, its tiles had graced the floors of the most iconic structures in the city, floors that begged the eye and mind to take a closer look. Their repertoire featured an impressive list of clientele such as the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Morvi Palace to the Usha Kiran Palace but also, it wasn't just the elite who were impressed with Bharat's products. Hospitals, cinemas, banks, hotels and railway stations all over the city had embraced Bharat's range of tiles and marble, making it the center of attention. Educational institutions like the universities at Madras and Bombay were also proud Bharat clients. From Maharajas to apartment owners, from bankers to students, from traders to essential service providers, Bharat had a flooring and design solution for all.

The hall at the New Palace in Morvi, Courtesy: Salva Lopez
The dome of the Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur
An advertisement of BFT's work in Mercantile Bank (Now Known as HSBC bank), BFT Archives
The facade of Capitol Cinema, Mumbai, BFT Archives
Marble work at Regal Cinema, Mumbai, BFT Archives
The BEST Bhavan, Mumbai, BFT Archives
The old Bombay Stock Exchange building, Courtesy: India Content
A corrdior in the New Palace in Morvi, Courtesy: Salva Lopez
A passage in the Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur, BFT Archives
Entrance of the Mercantile Bank (now HSBC bank) Courtesy: HSBC Archives
Terrazzo in Capitol cinema, Mumbai, BFT Archives
The lobby of the Regal cinema, Mumbai, BFT Archives
The flooring at the entrance to the BEST Bhavan, Mumbai, Courtesy: Art Deco Mumbai Trust
Bradys Flats, Mumbai, BFT Archives
The staircase at the New Palace in Morvi, Courtesy: Salva Lopez
Inside the Umaid Bhawan, Jodhpur, BFT Archives
Hall of the Mercantile Bank (now HSBC bank) Courtesy: HSBC Archives
Heritage tiles in the office of the Capitol Cinema, Mumbai, BFT Archives
Terrazzo work at Regal Cinema, Mumbai, BFT Archives.
A testimonial about the flooring done by BFT at the Bombay Stock Exchange, Mumbai, BFT Archives
Brads Flats, Mumbai, BFT Archives