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INSV Kaundinya Sails Ancient Trade Route, Reviving India's Stitched-Ship Heritage

The Indian Navy's INSV Kaundinya, a traditionally built "stitched" ship with no engine or metal nails, has completed roughly one-third of its maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat. The vessel relies entirely on wind and sails, utilizing a shipbuilding method dating back to the 5th century. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the project for highlighting India's rich maritime traditions and retracing historic links with the Gulf region. This expedition revives the ancient sea route once used by Indian merchants to trade spices and textiles with West Asia and beyond.

Key Points: INSV Kaundinya's Maiden Voyage Revives Ancient Maritime Heritage

  • No engine or metal nails
  • Depends on wind and sails
  • Retracing historic trade corridor
  • Reviving ancient shipbuilding
  • Maiden ocean voyage
2 min read

INSV Kaundinya nears one-third of voyage, expedition celebrates India's maritime heritage

Indian Navy's stitched ship INSV Kaundinya nears one-third of its historic voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, retracing ancient trade routes.

INSV Kaundinya nears one-third of voyage, expedition celebrates India's maritime heritage
"Built using the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique, this ship highlights India's rich maritime traditions. - Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, Jan 4

The Indian Navy's INSV Kaundinya, which embarked on its maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat in Oman is sailing strongly in the high seas and is believed to have completed one-third path of its journey.

Unlike the modern vessels, the INSV Kaundinya is a 'stitched' ship and has no engine, no metal nails, and no modern propulsion.

It depends entirely on wind, sails, and a shipbuilding method dating back to the fifth century.

Sharing an update about the voyage of indigenously built sailing vessel, Sanjeev Sanyal, member of Prime Minister Modi's Economic Advisory Council wrote, "Seas are calmer and NE wind is holding. We sailed well last night. Personally managed to get some sleep once the rolling subsided. Today, we should cross 1/3rd of the distance but hope incoming westerly wind is gentle and does not blow us again off course."

When the Kaundinya embarked on its voyage about a week ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the designers, artisans, shipbuilders and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing it to life.

The Prime Minister while taking to social media platform X said, "My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond."

"Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on her maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman. Built using the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique, this ship highlights India's rich maritime traditions," he wrote.

The historic expedition marks a major milestone in India's efforts to revive, understand and celebrate its ancient maritime heritage through a living ocean voyage.

Notably, the sea route from India to Oman and to the Southeast Asia was once a major trade corridor and was widely used by Indian sailors and merchants to trade spices, textiles, and ideas with West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

By navigating the sea lane again, the INSV Kaundinya is retracing India's ancient maritime highways.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
So proud of this initiative. It's not just a voyage; it's a journey through our history. Connecting Porbandar to Muscat again is poetic. More power to the team!
R
Rohit P
Amazing feat, but I do hope the government is also investing equally in modern naval technology and shipbuilding. We must celebrate our past while firmly building our future security.
S
Sarah B
As someone fascinated by maritime history, this is a brilliant project. Retracing ancient trade routes without an engine is a testament to human skill and endurance. Wishing the crew safe winds!
V
Vikram M
The artisans and shipbuilders who made this 'stitched' ship deserve a standing ovation. This is real "Make in India" heritage style. Hope this inspires more such projects!
K
Karthik V
Reading about the crew managing sleep when the rolling subsided... gives me so much respect. It's easy to forget the human effort behind such symbolic journeys. Salute!

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