Source: HT
Context: The Indian Navy formally inducted INSV Kaundinya, a stitched sail ship inspired by 5th-century Ajanta cave paintings, at Karwar Naval Base.
- The ship will undertake a transoceanic voyage from Gujarat to Oman later this year, reviving India’s ancient maritime heritage.
About INSV Kaundinya – Stitched Sail Ship:
- What It Is?
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- A fully functional stitched sailing ship built using ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques, inducted as an Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV).
- Inspiration: Modeled on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra — showcasing India’s maritime heritage through art.
- Developed By: Jointly developed under a tripartite agreement (July 2023) between:
- Ministry of Culture (Funding Agency)
- Indian Navy (Technical Validation & Oversight)
- Hodi Innovations (Shipbuilder)
- Objectives:
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- Revive and demonstrate traditional Indian shipbuilding methods.
- Celebrate India’s ancient maritime trade and navigation skills.
- Promote cultural diplomacy and heritage awareness globally.
- Key Features:
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- Construction Technique: Built using stitched plank technique, where wooden planks are joined using coir rope, coconut fibre, and natural resin — no nails used.
- Design Validation: Reconstructed using iconographic extrapolation from Ajanta paintings, with hydrodynamic testing at IIT Madras.
- Artistic Elements: Sails feature Gandabherunda and Sun motifs, bow has a Simha Yali, deck holds a Harappan-style stone anchor.
- Traditional Rigging: Equipped with square sails and steering oars, replicating ancient sea-faring designs.
- Naming Legacy: Named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who sailed to Southeast Asia, symbolizing historical Indo-Pacific ties.
