INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel, has embarked on its inaugural overseas journey from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman. This voyage symbolically retraces ancient maritime routes that once connected India with the vast Indian Ocean world.
Constructed using wooden planks stitched together with coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, INSV Kaundinya embodies an indigenous shipbuilding tradition prevalent along India’s coasts. This traditional technique enabled Indian mariners to undertake long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia long before modern navigation methods.
INSV Kaundinya draws inspiration from a 5th-century CE vessel depicted in the Ajanta Caves. It represents a significant effort to recreate India’s early maritime practices using historically authentic methods. The project was executed under a tripartite agreement among the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, aiming to revive and showcase India's indigenous knowledge systems and maritime heritage.
After the keel laying in September 2023, skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran, meticulously constructed the ship using the traditional stitching technique. The wooden planks forming the hull were stitched together with coir rope, while natural resin served as a sealant. The vessel was launched in February 2025 and formally inducted into the Navy in May 2025 at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka.
The Indian Navy played a pivotal role in overseeing the vessel’s design, technical validation, and construction. Since no surviving blueprints or physical remains existed, the design was extrapolated from two-dimensional artistic depictions. This project required an interdisciplinary approach, combining archaeological interpretation, naval architecture, and traditional craftsmanship.
INSV Kaundinya measures approximately 19.6 meters in length and 6.5 meters in width, with a draft of 3.33 meters. Powered solely by sails, it operates with a crew of around 15 trained sailors. The construction follows the indigenous Tankai method, where the hull is stitched first before adding ribs, completely avoiding the use of metal.
INSV Kaundinya is a non-combat sailing vessel constructed entirely using the stitched shipbuilding technique, which dates back to at least the 5th century CE. The wooden planks are stitched together using coir rope and sealed with natural resins, cotton, and oils. This flexible design allows the vessel to absorb wave energy, which is crucial for ancient sailors navigating the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
INSV Kaundinya’s structure incorporates culturally rich elements reflecting India’s ancient maritime heritage. Its sails carry motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, symbolizing power and continuity. Additionally, the bow features a sculpted Simha Yali, a mythical guardian figure representing strength and protection. A symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck evokes the subcontinent’s early seafaring traditions.
Named after Kaundinya, the Indian mariner who sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia, the vessel serves as a living testament to India’s long history of maritime exploration and cultural exchange. The route from Porbandar to Muscat was once a vital corridor for trade in spices, textiles, and ideas across West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Q1. What is the significance of INSV Kaundinya?
Answer: INSV Kaundinya represents the revival of India’s ancient maritime heritage and showcases traditional shipbuilding techniques while retracing historical trade routes.
Q2. Who constructed INSV Kaundinya?
Answer: The vessel was built by skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran, using traditional stitching techniques.
Q3. What materials were used to construct INSV Kaundinya?
Answer: The ship is constructed from wooden planks stitched with coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins, avoiding any metal components.
Q4. How does INSV Kaundinya reflect India’s cultural heritage?
Answer: The design incorporates motifs and symbols from India’s maritime history, embodying cultural significance and traditional craftsmanship.
Q5. What was the purpose of INSV Kaundinya's journey to Muscat?
Answer: The journey symbolizes the revival of ancient maritime routes vital for trade and cultural exchange between India and other regions.
Question 1: What traditional shipbuilding technique was used for INSV Kaundinya?
A) Framing
B) Stitching
C) Planking
D) Welding
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Who led the construction of INSV Kaundinya?
A) Naval Engineers
B) Artisans from Goa
C) Master Shipwright Babu Sankaran
D) Cultural Historians
Correct Answer: C
Question 3: What is the primary material used in the hull of INSV Kaundinya?
A) Steel
B) Bamboo
C) Wooden planks
D) Fiberglass
Correct Answer: C
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