The Indian Navy formally inducted and named the Ancient Stitched ship as INSV Kaundinya, built using the Tankai method.
About INS Kaundinya
It is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of Ajanta Caves.
The project was initiated through a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations.
About the Tankai Method
It is a 2000-year-old technique of shipbuilding known as the 'stitched shipbuilding method.
It involves stitching wooden planks together rather than using nails, offering flexibility and durability.
India's Glorious Maritime Heritage
Trade and commerce
The discovery of Harappan seals in Mesopotamia, along with dry-dock and terracotta figures of ships at Lothal (2400 BC), reveals a maritime trade link between the Indus Valley civilisation and Mesopotamia.
The Rig Veda mentions merchants sailing ships across the oceans to foreign countries in quest of trade and wealth.
Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas had well established maritime trade links with the Roman Empire.
Vijayanagar and the Bahmani kingdom imported horses using the port of Goa from Iran and Iraq
Cultural diffusion
Ashoka's son, Mahendra, and daughter, Sanghamitra, had sailed from Tamralipti in West Bengal to Ceylon to spread Buddhism.
Maritime conquest and trade relations with countries of south east Asia led to spread of Indian religions, architecture and languages. E.g., Borbodur temple in Java, Angkor wat temple in Cambodia.
Naval prowess and maritime Knowledge
The Magadh navy is considered the world's first recorded naval force and Chanakya's Arthashastra mentions the department of naval warfare.
Rajendra Chola-I (1014-1044) conquered Sri Lanka, led successful naval expeditions against the Sri Vijiya Empire (ruled by the Sailendra dynasty).
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built coastal forts like Vijaydurg and Sindhudurg and increased the naval strength to over 500 ships.
Cholas and cheras mastered monsoon winds for sea voyages.
Maritime diplomacy
Meghavarman, ruler of Sri Lanka, sent a missionary to Samudragupta for permission to build a Buddhist temple at Gaya.
Sailendra dynasty sent embassies to Pala court and sought permission to build monastery at Nalanda.
Conclusion
Reviving India's maritime legacy is not only about reconstructing the past but about repositioning India as a leading maritime power in the Indo-Pacific. Through strategic initiatives and cultural outreach, India is reconnecting with its ancient oceanic identity.
Other famous paintings of Ajanta
Paintings of various Bodhisattvas, such as Vajrapani (symbol of Buddha's power), Manjusri (Symbol of Buddha's wisdom) and Padampani (Symbol of Buddha's compassion).
Painting of a Dying Princess.
Painting of the reception given to a Persian embassy by Chalukyan King Pulakeshin II.
Painting of Shibi Jataka (king Shibi offers flesh to save a pigeon), MatriposhakaJataka (an ungrateful person saved by an elephant discloses its location).
