INSV Kaundinya Maiden Voyage Revives India’s Sea Legacy
Newz Daddy Defence Updates
INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s stitched sailing vessel, is set to begin her maiden overseas journey on 29 December 2025. This voyage is more than a routine naval movement. It is a living reminder of India’s deep maritime roots and the knowledge systems that once connected the subcontinent to the wider world through the seas.
The vessel will sail from Porbandar in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman, a route that mirrors ancient trade paths used by Indian sailors for centuries. Long before modern engines and navigation tools, Indian mariners crossed these waters using wind, stars, and a deep understanding of the ocean. Porbandar itself holds strong maritime importance, as it has been a coastal trading point since ancient times. Muscat, too, has a long history of trade ties with India, especially in spices, textiles, and cultural exchange.
What makes INSV Kaundinya special is how she has been built. Unlike modern ships made of steel and welded joints, this vessel follows the stitched-plank method. Wooden planks are sewn together using coconut coir rope and sealed with natural resins. This method was widely used along India’s coastline and across the Indian Ocean region thousands of years ago. Archaeological findings from places like Lothal in Gujarat show that India had advanced dockyards and shipbuilding skills during the Indus Valley civilisation.
The stitched ship design is not just about tradition. It also shows strong engineering sense. Such vessels were flexible and could absorb wave impact better than rigid ships. This allowed them to survive long sea journeys, rough weather, and open ocean conditions. Indian sailors using these ships reached West Asia, East Africa, and Southeast Asia, spreading trade, ideas, language, and culture.
The revival of this shipbuilding method was not easy. The project came together through a partnership between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations. This effort reflects a growing national focus on protecting and reviving indigenous knowledge systems. Across India, there is renewed interest in traditional science, crafts, and skills that were once pushed aside by modern methods.
Traditional artisans played a key role in building INSV Kaundinya. Under the guidance of master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran, skilled craftsmen followed age-old practices passed down through generations. These artisans used hand tools and traditional measurements rather than modern machines. Their work was supported by detailed research and testing done by the Indian Navy and academic institutions, ensuring the vessel is safe and seaworthy.
The Indian Navy’s involvement adds a modern layer of expertise to the project. Naval engineers studied ancient ship drawings, historical records, and archaeological evidence to help recreate the vessel accurately. At the same time, they tested the ship to meet present-day safety and performance needs. This blend of old knowledge and modern science shows how tradition and technology can work together.
The ship is named after Kaundinya, a legendary Indian mariner believed to have travelled to Southeast Asia in ancient times. Historical texts and inscriptions suggest that Indian traders and sailors played a major role in shaping early kingdoms in regions like Cambodia and Indonesia. Naming the vessel after Kaundinya honours these early explorers who carried Indian influence across the seas peacefully through trade and cultural exchange.
This voyage also sends a strong message about India’s identity as a maritime nation. For centuries, India’s sea history was less discussed compared to land-based empires. Projects like INSV Kaundinya help bring that forgotten story back into public awareness. They remind people that India was once a major sea power with strong links across the Indian Ocean.
For the Indian Navy, the vessel stands as a symbol of heritage and pride. While the Navy operates modern warships and submarines today, it also recognises the value of understanding historical navigation and shipbuilding. Such knowledge can inspire innovation and respect for sustainable practices.
As INSV Kaundinya prepares to sail, her journey represents more than a physical crossing of the sea. It is a journey into history, craftsmanship, and cultural memory. By retracing ancient routes, the vessel reconnects modern India with its maritime past and showcases that old wisdom still holds relevance in today’s world.