Bartons today

The name Palanpur today is well known all over the world. This phenomena can be attributed to a select  group of pioneering businessmen, who set out from here and today have established themselves as leaders in the Diamond trade. Belonging to this elite group from Palanpur was one Madhukarbhai Surajmal Mehta, who at the tender age of 25, took over an English company, by the name of Barton, Son & Co. Pvt. Ltd. in the year 1947 in Bangalore. Unlike his cousins and other relatives, this business was remotely connected to Diamonds.

Madhukar S. Mehta

From dealing in a number of lines such as Photography, Optics, Scientific & Survey Instruments, Horology, Arms & ammunition, Silversmithy, Jewellery etc this company, under the astute leadership of Madhukar Mehta, finally shed all its multifarious activities, due to restricted imports, to retain and make a success of only the Silver division. This was not easy as the then Board of Directors all came from England.Despite the halo associated with the British being an imperial power, Madhukar Mehta managed to steer the business of the company in a manner he reasoned as a viable commercial option. Very soon he endeared himself to all members of the Board and forged deep respect and friendship from all.

The strict ethical standards that they followed and their staunch adherence to quality very soon earned them national recognition. They were referred to as, “Silversmiths to the Defence Forces.” They received extensive Royal patronage in the form of Appointments as Silversmiths to the various princely states many of whom were the Maharajas of Mysore, Bikaner, Jaipur, Kashmir including the Nizam of Hyderabad. In this effort to gain all round appreciation. Madhukarbhai was  ably assisted by his cousin, Navinbhai Kothari who admirably handled the production.

Nayna & Bharat Mehta with their son Aashish

Today Bartons is run by Madhukarbhai's son Bharat alongwith his wife Nayna. In 1996 their son Aashish joined the business after completing a year long course in Silversmithing from the School of Design, University of Central England, Birmingham. Incidentally, Aashish was the first Indian to have done this course then.

An interesting bit of news is that Bartons this year celebrated their 150th Anniversary. A gala function was organized on the 8th of January and was attended by the great grandson of the founder, Thomas Barton, who set up the company in 1861. Incidentally, they have now opened a Diamond Jewellery Showroom, reinforcing the Palanpur connection.