The Indian Navy has formally inducted INSV Kaundinya, an ancient stitched sail ship, in a ceremonial event held at Naval Base Karwar. The induction marks the culmination of an ambitious project dedicated to reviving India’s traditional shipbuilding techniques, celebrating centuries-old maritime craftsmanship. Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided over the event as the Chief Guest, reinforcing the government’s commitment to preserving India’s maritime heritage.
INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a 5th-century CE vessel, depicted in the renowned Ajanta Cave paintings. The project, initiated under a tripartite agreement in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, was funded by the Ministry of Culture. The ship’s keel was laid in September 2023, and construction was completed using age-old stitching techniques, spearheaded by master shipwright Babu Sankaran and a skilled team of artisans from Kerala. These craftsmen painstakingly stitched wooden planks on the ship’s hull using coir rope, coconut fiber, and natural resin, preserving the authenticity of ancient Indian naval engineering.
Launched in February 2025 in Goa, INSV Kaundinya represents India’s rich maritime traditions and the expertise of indigenous craftsmanship. The Indian Navy played a central role throughout the project, overseeing design, technical validation, and construction processes. Given the absence of surviving blueprints, the vessel’s form was inferred from iconographic sources and meticulously recreated. Its hydrodynamic model testing was conducted at the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, ensuring seaworthiness and structural integrity.
INSV Kaundinya incorporates several historically significant features, connecting the vessel with India’s seafaring legacy. The sails bear motifs of Gandabherunda and the Sun, while the bow is adorned with a sculpted Simha Yali. A symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor rests on the deck, recalling India’s early maritime trade traditions. The vessel is named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who traversed the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, symbolizing India’s centuries-old history of maritime exploration, cultural exchange, and trade routes.
Now commissioned as an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV), Kaundinya will be based at Karwar. Preparations are underway for the ship’s historic transoceanic voyage, retracing ancient Indian trade routes from Gujarat to Oman later this year. The journey aims to revitalize India’s maritime heritage, showcasing traditional shipbuilding craftsmanship and reaffirming India’s legacy as a dominant maritime power throughout history.
The induction of INSV Kaundinya underscores India’s commitment to preserving and operationalizing its naval traditions, bridging the past with the present through cultural conservation and oceanic exploration. As the vessel sets sail on its historic expedition, it will serve as a living testament to India’s enduring spirit of maritime innovation and ancient seafaring excellence.
