INSV Kaundinya
 INSV Kaundinya
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 India | |
| Name | Kaundinya |
| Namesake | Legendary first-century Indian mariner who became King of Cambodia |
| Builder | M/s Hodi Innovations |
| Launched | February 2025 |
| Commissioned | 21 May 2025 |
INSV Kaundinya is an Indian navy sailing vessel constructed using sewn ship technique. Her design is based on a 5th century CE merchant ship[which?] depicted in the murals of Ajanta Caves.
It is named after Kaundinya (or Kaundinya I), who was a legendary first-century Indian merchant who sailed to Southeast Asia, married Queen Soma of Funan, which is present day Cambodia. He became the second king of Funan kingdom.
Background
[edit]Ancient ships constructed in India often used natural fibers as fasteners instead of metallic nails so as to prevent corrosion. This technique is similar to sewn ships and boats found in other regions of the ancient world. Use of natural fibers like coir for sewn construction is mentioned in texts such as the Yukti Kalpataru, an 11th century encyclopedic treatise on Indian craftsmanship.
The idea of reconstructing an ancient Indian sailing vessel was put forward by economist Sanjeev Sanyal. The project was funded by Ministry of Culture and was initiated via a tripartite agreement signed among the Ministry, Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations in July 2023. The keel laying of the ship happened in September 2023.[1]
Development
[edit]
The ship’s design draws inspiration from 5th-century CE murals found in the Ajanta Caves, depicting similar vessels. Without blueprint the Indian Navy and artisans from Kerala headed by master shipwright Babu Sankaran and builder Prathamesh Dandekar[2] worked together to recreate the ship using iconographic references and hydrodynamic model testing conducted at IIT Madras.[citation needed]
The Stitched ship project was initiated through a tripartite agreement between the Indian Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations on July 2023. The keel was laid on 12 September 2023[3] and ship was commissioned on 21 May 2025. The Indian Navy oversaw the design, technical validation, and construction process. As per Indian Navy, the stitched ship is equipped with square sails and steering oars, which are "entirely alien to modern-day ships". The hull geometry, rigging, and sails had to be reimagined and tested from first principles. [4]
Description
[edit]The ships motifs are the Gandabherunda or the two headed eagle and the Sun. A Simha Yali is depicted on the bow, and a Harappan style stone anchor adorns her deck.[5] In the ancient “stitched shipbuilding,” technique wooden planks are tied together using coir rope, coconut fibre, and sealed with natural resin.[citation needed] The ship serves as a tangible symbol of India’s long standing maritime traditions of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.[6][7]
Service history
[edit]After its launch in February 2025, the ship was formally inducted by the Indian Navy on May 21, 2025.[8] The ship is based at Karwar and the first transoceanic voyage along the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman is planned for late 2025.[9]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Bureau, The Hindu (21 May 2025). "Navy inducts 'stitched sail ship' as INSV Kaundinya". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Stitched ship project: Recreating ancient Indian maritime wonder". Firstpost. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "KEEL LAYING CEREMONY OF THE ANCIENT STITCHED SHIP". www.pib.gov.in. Archived from the original on 3 April 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Navy Inducts Traditionally Built Stitched Ship, A Recreation Of 5th Century Vessel". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ PIB (21 May 2025). "TRADITIONALLY BUILT 'ANCIENT STITCHED SHIP' INDUCTED INTO THE INDIAN NAVY AS INSV KAUNDINYA".
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Navy inducts traditionally-built stitched ship as INSV Kaundinya, names it after legendary mariner". The Economic Times. 21 May 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Indian Navy inducts historic ship 'Kaundinya' built using ancient techniques - Public TV English". 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ "Indian Navy inducts traditionally-built stitched INSV Kaundinya – a recreation of 5th-century ship". Livemint. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
{{cite news}}:|first=missing|last=(help) - ^ Bhardwaj, Vishakha (21 May 2025). "Indian Navy Recreates 5th Century Ship, Commissions INSV Kaundinya". The Daily Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
