INSV Kaundinya’s 2000-year-old technique Revives India’s Ancient Maritime Legacy

• Revives India’s ancient stitched-shipbuilding tradition using 2,000-year-old techniques

• Retraces historic India–West Asia maritime trade routes without engine power

• Inspired by Ajanta cave art; built through Navy–Culture Ministry collaboration

• Showcases indigenous craftsmanship and rich maritime symbolism

• Strengthens India–Oman cultural ties, inspiring future green shipping cooperation

The Indian Navy’s sailing vessel INSV Kaundinya, crafted using a shipbuilding method dating back more than two millennia, has completed a landmark chapter in maritime history by reaching Oman during its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat. The journey, undertaken without the aid of an engine, retraced ancient sea routes that once connected the Indian subcontinent with West Asia, reaffirming India’s deep-rooted nautical traditions.

The concept behind the project emerged from an idea proposed by noted economist Sanjeev Sanyal, inspired by a fifth-century ship depicted in the Ajanta cave paintings of western India. With no surviving blueprints from that era, naval architects, historians, and archaeologists relied on visual art, iconography, and historical references to reconstruct the vessel’s form. The initiative was jointly executed by the Indian Navy and the Ministry of Culture, bringing to life a rare experiment in historical shipbuilding.

Constructed entirely without nails or metal fastenings, INSV Kaundinya follows the ancient “stitched-plank” technique once prevalent across the Indian Ocean region. Wooden planks were painstakingly bound together using coir rope, coconut fibre, and natural resin by a team of traditional artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran. The keel was laid in September 2023, and after months of meticulous work, the ship was launched in Goa in February 2025.

The vessel is rich in cultural symbolism. Its sails carry motifs of the Gandabherunda, the mythical two-headed bird associated with Lord Vishnu, alongside representations of the sun. A sculpted Simha Yali, a creature from South Indian mythology, adorns the bow, while a Harappan-style stone anchor rests on the deck—each element echoing India’s ancient maritime heritage.

INSV Kaundinya set sail from Porbandar on December 29, 2025, heading toward Muscat along historic trade routes. About two weeks into the voyage, the ship entered Omani waters north of Sur. Posting updates from onboard, Sanyal described calm seas and shifting winds, noting that the expedition had already achieved its central goal. The journey, he said, demonstrated the seaworthiness of ancient Indian stitched ships while offering insights into the challenges and lived experience of early mariners.

Despite bouts of heavy rain and long stretches of still waters, the crew navigated the Arabian Sea under sail alone. Commander Hemant Kumar, the officer-in-charge and a key figure associated with the project since its inception, termed the voyage both adventurous and deeply rewarding. Social media posts from the crew captured moments ranging from stormy decks to serene nights spent sleeping under full moonlight.

Skippered by Commander Vikas Sheoran, the 16-member crew flew the Indian tricolour as the vessel crossed waters once traversed by their ancestors. The effort drew praise from across the maritime community, including retired naval officer Abhilash Tomy, who lauded the sailors for accomplishing “a feat from another era.”

Named after Kaundinya, the legendary first-century Indian mariner who sailed to Southeast Asia and established early cultural links, the vessel stands as a living symbol of India’s legacy of exploration, trade, and cross-cultural exchange.

The voyage concluded at Port Sultan Qaboos in Muscat around mid-January, coinciding with celebrations marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and Oman. Welcoming the crew, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal described the arrival as more than the end of a journey, calling it a tribute to civilisational connections that span over 5,000 years.

During the reception, Sonowal proposed the creation of a green shipping corridor between India and Oman, linking the symbolic voyage with future-focused cooperation in sustainable maritime practices. He highlighted opportunities for collaboration in cleaner fuels, eco-friendly port operations, and efficient logistics, while also welcoming a new memorandum of understanding on maritime heritage and museums.

INSV Kaundinya’s successful voyage has not only revived a long-lost shipbuilding tradition but also bridged India’s past with its present ambitions—demonstrating how ancient knowledge can still navigate modern seas.