In 1922 Bharat Floorings and Tiles was founded on the belief that, to evolve as a nation, India had to innovate and become self-sufficient. As a part of the Swadeshi Movement, their founders spearheaded the cement tile manufacturing industry in India. The invention of coloured cement in Europe in the late 19th Century introduced the exciting possibilities of encaustic cement floor tiles that could grow more beautiful over the years. The founders of the Bharat Tiles Company travelled across Europe and USA and brought the finest elements of this art form to India. They modified and created fresh designs to suit Indian tastes and developed a unique process to suit Indian conditions. The tiles produced were of world-class quality, and in a few years, Bharat Tiles were chosen over the imported tiles, not just by the maharajas and by affluent patriotic Indians but also by the British!