Bata’s Secret: Why every country thinks it owns the brand | Explained

For generations of Indians, Bata has been synonymous with school shoes, office footwear and family shopping trips. But here’s a surprising fact: Bata isn’t an Indian company. Founded in 1894 in present-day Czech Republic, Bata expanded across the world and adopted a unique strategy wherever it went. Instead of simply exporting products, it built factories, townships and communities, making people feel like Bata belonged to them. That’s why Indians think Bata is Indian, Pakistanis think it’s Pakistani, Bangladeshis think it’s Bangladeshi and Kenyans think it’s Kenyan. So how did one company become local everywhere it went? Watch this explainer to discover the fascinating history of Bata, from its origins in Europe to its journey into Indian homes and childhood memories. Published - July 18, 2026 09:41 pm IST