INSV Kaundinya
Kaundinya Revives Navy’s Maritime Past
Karwar: The Indian Navy inducted a traditionally built stitched sail ship, named INSV Kaundinya, at a ceremonial event at Naval Base, Karwar, celebrating India’s ancient shipbuilding heritage.
Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided as the chief guest, marking the completion of a project initiated through a tripartite agreement in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, funded by the Ministry of Culture.
INSV Kaundinya, modelled after a 5th-century CE ship depicted in Ajanta Caves paintings, was constructed using traditional stitching techniques by artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran. Following the keel laying in September 2023, the team stitched wooden planks on the hull with coir rope, coconut fibre, and natural resin, launching the vessel in February 2025 at Goa. Without surviving blueprints, the Indian Navy inferred the design from iconographic sources, collaborating with Hodi Innovations to recreate the hull and rigging. The design was validated through hydrodynamic model testing at IIT Madras’ Department of Ocean Engineering and internal technical assessments.
The vessel features sails with Gandabherunda and Sun motifs, a sculpted Simha Yali on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck, reflecting India’s maritime traditions. Named after Kaundinya, an Indian mariner who sailed to Southeast Asia, the ship symbolises historical maritime exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.
Based at Karwar, INSV Kaundinya will prepare for a transoceanic voyage along the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman later this year.
The project underscores India’s maritime legacy, with INSV Kaundinya embodying the craftsmanship of ancient shipbuilders who facilitated trade and cultural ties across the Indian Ocean. The ship’s design, inspired by Ajanta’s detailed depictions, connects modern India to its historical role as a maritime hub, with elements like the Gandabherunda and Harappan anchor evoking cultural continuity from the Indus Valley to medieval times.
The Indian Navy’s technical oversight ensured the vessel’s functionality, blending traditional methods with modern standards. The collaboration with IIT Madras and Hodi Innovations addressed challenges of reconstructing a 5th-century vessel, with rigorous testing confirming the ship’s seaworthiness for its upcoming voyage, which will retrace ancient routes and highlight India’s enduring maritime contributions.
Naval officials and Ministry of Culture representatives attended, highlighting the collaboration to revive traditional shipbuilding. INSV Kaundinya will serve as a functional naval sailing vessel, blending historical craftsmanship with modern operations.
– global bihari bureau
