Indian Navy Inducts INSV Kaundinya, A Reconstructed Ancient Stitched Sail Ship

The Indian Navy formally inducted the INSV Kaundinya, a reconstructed ancient stitched sail ship, at a ceremony held on Wednesday (May 21) at Naval Base Karwar in Karnataka. The vessel is a recreation of a 5th-century CE Indian ship, constructed using traditional shipbuilding methods by artisans from Kerala. The event was presided over by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

The ship, now part of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel fleet, is expected to sail on a transoceanic voyage from Gujarat to Oman later this year, retracing an ancient maritime trade route.

What is the significance of INSV Kaundinya and how was it built?

INSV Kaundinya is modeled on a stitched-hull ship depicted in murals at the Ajanta Caves, dating back to the 5th century CE. The vessel was constructed without modern fasteners—its wooden planks were stitched together using coir rope, coconut fiber, and natural resin. The work was led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran and his team of traditional craftsmen.

The project was launched under a tripartite agreement signed in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with financial support from the Culture Ministry. The keel was laid in September 2023, and the ship was launched in Goa in February 2025.

With no original plans or blueprints, the Indian Navy oversaw the design process using iconographic analysis, traditional rigging practices, and hydrodynamic model testing conducted at IIT Madras. The Navy also supervised construction and conducted technical assessments to ensure seaworthiness.

The ship bears several symbolic elements: sails featuring the Gandabherunda and the Sun, a sculpted Simha Yali on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor on deck—each chosen to reflect India’s maritime heritage.

What are the future plans for INSV Kaundinya?

As an officially inducted Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, Kaundinya will be based at Karwar. The Navy plans to use the vessel for heritage outreach and naval sailing missions, with the most notable being an upcoming transoceanic voyage from Gujarat to Oman. The journey aims to retrace ancient maritime trade routes across the Indian Ocean, highlighting India’s historic role in regional trade and cultural exchange.

The vessel is named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya, who is said to have sailed across the Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia. Navy officials say the ship will serve as a platform to revive and commemorate India’s traditional navigation techniques and shipbuilding knowledge.