The Indian Navy is set to script a unique chapter in maritime history as INSV Kaundinya, its pioneering stitched sailing vessel, prepares to embark on her maiden overseas voyage on December 29, 2025. The vessel will be flagged off from Porbandar, Gujarat, and sail to Muscat, symbolically retracing the ancient maritime routes that connected India with the Indian Ocean world for centuries.
Reviving India’s Ancient Shipbuilding Traditions
INSV Kaundinya represents a rare revival of India’s ancient stitched-plank shipbuilding tradition, inspired by historical depictions of Indian seafaring vessels. Unlike modern ships, the vessel has been constructed entirely using traditional methods, where wooden planks are stitched together with coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins.
This indigenous technology, once widespread along India’s coastline and across the Indian Ocean region, enabled Indian mariners to undertake long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia long before the advent of modern navigation systems and metal fastenings.
A Confluence of Heritage and Modern Naval Expertise
The project to build INSV Kaundinya was executed under a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations. The initiative reflects India’s broader effort to rediscover, document, and revive indigenous knowledge systems.
The vessel was built by traditional artisans under the guidance of master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran, supported by extensive research, design validation, and sea-worthiness testing by the Indian Navy in collaboration with academic institutions. Despite being constructed using ancient techniques, INSV Kaundinya is fully seaworthy and capable of ocean-going navigation.
Symbolic Voyage Along Historic Maritime Routes
The Porbandar–Muscat voyage holds deep historical and cultural significance. These waters once formed part of a vibrant maritime network through which Indian traders, monks, and explorers sailed, fostering cultural, commercial, and civilisational exchanges across the Indian Ocean.
By retracing these routes, INSV Kaundinya serves as a floating symbol of India’s maritime legacy, underscoring the nation’s longstanding role as a hub of oceanic trade and navigation.
Named After a Legendary Ancient Mariner
The vessel is named after Kaundinya, the legendary mariner believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times. His voyages are often cited as evidence of early Indian maritime outreach, trade linkages, and cultural influence across the region. The naming reflects the ship’s mission—to reconnect modern India with its rich seafaring past.
Conclusion
INSV Kaundinya’s maiden overseas voyage marks more than a naval sailing—it is a tribute to India’s ancient maritime genius, traditional craftsmanship, and enduring oceanic connections. By blending historical shipbuilding techniques with modern naval validation, the Indian Navy has created a living testament to India’s civilisational heritage. As the vessel sails from Porbandar to Muscat, it reaffirms India’s identity as a timeless maritime nation with deep roots in the Indian Ocean world.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
Source: PIB
