Indian Navy Inducts INSV Kaundinya, a 5th Century CE-Inspired Stitched Sail Ship in Karnataka.

Science and Technology

On May 21, 2025, the Indian Navy officially inducted INSV Kaundinya, a stitched sail ship inspired by 5th-century CE maritime design. The ceremony took place at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka and was led by Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.


      - INSV Kaundinya’s maiden voyage will follow an ancient trade route across the Arabian Sea, sailing from Gujarat to Oman. This mission aims to recreate historical maritime journeys of ancient Indian sailors.

      - The shipbuilding project began in July 2023 with an agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Goa-based Hodi Innovations. The keel (base structure) was laid in September 2023 under the guidance of master shipwright Babu Sankaran, using traditional methods.

      - The ship was launched into the sea in February 2025 at Hodi Innovations' shipyard in Goa. After successful sea trials, it was formally inducted into the Indian Navy as INSV Kaundinya.

Main Point :-   (i) The ship was constructed using ancient stitching techniques—wooden planks were joined using coir ropes, coconut fibers, and natural resin instead of modern welding or screws. Its design was inspired by artwork from the Ajanta Caves due to the absence of historical blueprints.

      (ii) INSV Kaundinya carries rich cultural symbolism. It features a Gandabherunda (mythical two-headed bird) and Sun symbols on its sails, a Simha Vali (lion figure) on its bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor. The vessel is named after the ancient Indian mariner Kaundinya, known for voyages to Southeast Asia.

(iii) The ship’s hydrodynamic testing was conducted by the Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras, Tamil Nadu. The design inspiration came from Ajanta Caves, a group of 30 ancient Buddhist rock-cut monuments in Maharashtra, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
About Indian Navy

Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) : Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
Headquarters: New Delhi
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