The Indian Navy has officially inducted a traditionally built stitched ship, named INSV Kaundinya, at a ceremony held on Wednesday at the Karwar naval base in Karnataka. This vessel is a remarkable recreation of a fifth-century ship, symbolizing India’s rich maritime heritage and its long-standing tradition of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.
Named after Kaundinya, a legendary first-century Indian mariner and merchant who famously sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the ship celebrates the ancient naval prowess and shipbuilding craftsmanship of India. Kaundinya is credited with co-founding the kingdom of Funan in present-day Cambodia, following his marriage to Queen Soma of Funan.
Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the induction ceremony, where naval officials highlighted the vessel as a tangible emblem of India’s maritime legacy. The ship incorporates several culturally significant artistic elements: its sails feature motifs of the Gandabherunda—a mythical two-headed bird—and the Sun, while its bow is adorned with a sculpted Simha Yali, a mythical lion-like creature. A symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor also decorates the deck, evoking connections to India’s ancient civilizations and maritime traditions.
Unlike modern ships, INSV Kaundinya uses square sails and steering oars, technologies that are entirely different from contemporary naval engineering. The Indian Navy undertook extensive research and testing to reconstruct the hull geometry, rigging, and sails based on historical principles.
INSV Kaundinya is based at the Karwar naval base and is set to undertake a trans-oceanic voyage later this year, following the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman. This voyage will serve as a tribute to India’s historic maritime connections across the Indian Ocean region.
This extraordinary project not only revives a piece of ancient naval history but also showcases India’s continuing commitment to preserving and honoring its seafaring traditions.
Sources By Agencies
