Reviving India’s ancient maritime glory

 

 

 

INSV Kaundinya, the Navy’s engineless vessel built using the ancient stitched-ship technique, embarked on her maiden overseas voyage from Gujarat’s Porbandar to Muscat on Monday to retrace old maritime routes that once connected the western coast of India with Oman. This historic expedition marks a major milestone in India’s efforts to revive, understand, and celebrate its ancient maritime heritage through a living ocean voyage, according to a defence release.

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the crew of INSV Kaundinya. “Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on hermaiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman... My best wishes to the crew for a safe andmemorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X. Builtusing the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique, this ship highlights India’s rich maritime traditions, Modi said. “I congratulate the designers, artisans, ship builders and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing this unique vessel tolife,”the Prime Minister said.

 

He also shared some photos of the ship and an image of an old mural depicting an ancient ship. The vessel was formally flagged off by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, Vice -Admiral, Krishna Swaminathan, in the presence of the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to India, Issa Saleh Al Shibani, in Porbandar. Inspired by depictions of ancient Indian ships and constructed entirely using traditional stitched-plank techniques, INSV Kaundinya represents a rare convergence of history, craftsmanship and modern naval expertise, the Defence Ministry said.

 

The 65-feet-long vessel has been constructed using traditional stitched ship building techniques, employing natural materials and methods that date back several centuries. With 18 sailors onboard, the vessel will cover a distance of 1,400 km and reach the shore of Oman after 15 days at sea, according to the release.