Based on the paintings found in the Ajanta caves, the ship INSV Kaundinya, built using a 2000-year-old technique, will depart from Porbandar for Oman at the end of December. Made of wooden planks, this ship has been stitched together with coconut ropes, and no nails have been used anywhere. The ship has neither an engine nor GPS. It is equipped with square cotton sails and paddles. It will run entirely on wind power, using cloth sails. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will flag it off. Months of preparation by sailors This ship, which showcases India’s maritime trade history dating back thousands of years, is named after the great sailor ‘Kaundinya’. Today, no one has practical experience operating this type of ship. For this reason, its crew members have been undergoing special training for several months. Also Read | Indigenous stealth frigate ‘Taragiri’ delivered to the Indian Navy Recognition of India’s traditional skill in shipbuilding
With the aim of bringing India’s ancient shipbuilding skills to the world, the central government approved this project in 2023. A company in Goa has built this ship using the nearly 2000-year-old ‘Tanka’ method. INSV Kaundinya was inducted into the Navy 7 months ago The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Kaundinya, a stitched ship built on May 20 this year, was inducted into the Indian Navy’s fleet. It is named after the Indian navigator Kaundinya, who crossed the Indian Ocean and traveled to South-East Asia. Unlike modern vessels, this stitched ship features square sails and a steering board. The steering board was used to control the ship before the invention of the rudder. Additionally, the ship’s sails feature figures of Gandaberunda (a mythical bird) and the sun. Its bow has a carved lion, and a Harappan-style stone anchor is placed on the deck. Also Read | Russian oil ship coming to India suddenly took a U-turn Funded by the Ministry of Culture, completed in 2 years The Ministry of Culture, the Navy, and Hodi Innovations were involved in the project to build a ship using stitching techniques. An agreement was signed between them in July 2023. The Ministry of Culture provided funding for this. Artisans from Kerala used entirely traditional methods and raw materials to build it. Thousands of artisans, led by Master Shipwright Babu Shankaran, created hand-stitched joints. The ship was launched in February 2025 at Hodi Shipyard in Goa. The Navy had stated, ‘Wood, coir rope, and synthetics were used to build this ship. It was inspired by a painting from the Ajanta Caves. This is a rare achievement in our modern shipbuilding history.’ Different from any naval ship in the world The Navy oversaw the entire project, from concept development to design, technical validation, and construction, with the help of Hodi Innovation and traditional artisans. Its design and construction also faced several technical challenges. Designing it was not easy due to the absence of any old blueprints or remnants. This ship, built with stitched hulls, wooden parts, and traditional steering mechanisms, is different from any ship present in any navy anywhere in the world. In the second phase of this project, this ship will be operated on traditional maritime trade routes. Preparations for the ship’s first sea voyage from Gujarat to Oman are already underway.
The post appeared first on .
