Pratik Bijlani –
INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel built using traditional shipbuilding techniques, has begun its maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Oman, symbolically retracing ancient maritime routes that connected India to the wider Indian Ocean world. Constructed entirely from wooden planks stitched with coir rope and sealed with natural resins, the vessel reflects India’s rich maritime traditions that enabled long-distance voyages to West Asia, Africa, and Southeast Asia centuries before modern navigation.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated the designers, artisans, shipbuilders, and the Indian Navy for their efforts in bringing INSV Kaundinya to life. He stated, “INSV Kaundinya is built using the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique which highlights India’s rich maritime traditions.
My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond.” PM Modi further tweeted, “Wonderful to see that INSV Kaundinya is embarking on her maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman. Built using the ancient Indian stitched-ship technique, this ship highlights India’s rich maritime traditions. I congratulate the designers, artisans, shipbuilders and the Indian Navy for their dedicated efforts in bringing this unique vessel to life. My best wishes to the crew for a safe and memorable journey, as they retrace our historic links with the Gulf region and beyond.”
Inspired by a 5th-century CE vessel depicted in the Ajanta Caves, INSV Kaundinya was constructed under a tripartite collaboration between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations. The project combined archaeological interpretation, naval architecture, hydrodynamic testing, and traditional craftsmanship to recreate India’s maritime heritage. The 19.6-metre-long, 6.5-metre-wide vessel, operated by a crew of around 15, was built entirely without engines or metal, following the Tankai method where the hull is stitched first and ribs added later. Its sails feature motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, while the bow carries a sculpted Simha Yali, and a symbolic Harappan-style stone anchor sits on deck, celebrating India’s seafaring legacy.
INSV Kaundinya’s voyage not only demonstrates the seaworthiness of ancient shipbuilding methods but also revives historic maritime corridors that once facilitated trade in spices, textiles, and ideas. As the vessel sails toward Muscat, it stands as a living testament to India’s enduring tradition of maritime exploration, cultural exchange, and technological ingenuity.
Marex Media