In a powerful blend of history, heritage, and diplomacy, the Indian Navy on Monday launched the maiden international voyage of INSV Kaundinya, a traditional stitched sailing vessel inspired by a 5th-century CE ship. The vessel set sail from Porbandar to Muscat, retracing ancient maritime routes that once connected India with the Gulf and beyond.
As the ship moved into the open waters of the Indian Ocean, the Naval band played “Jai Ho” from Slumdog Millionaire, underscoring the symbolic nature of the moment — a modern nation proudly reviving its ancient seafaring soul. Unlike the Navy’s cutting-edge aircraft carriers, submarines, and destroyers, INSV Kaundinya takes pride in its deliberate rejection of modern technology, relying instead on traditional shipbuilding wisdom.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the voyage as a celebration of India’s maritime past. In a message posted on X, he said, “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.”
Congratulating everyone involved, the Prime Minister added, “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.”
Why INSV Kaundinya is special
INSV Kaundinya is modelled on a ship depicted in the famous murals of the Ajanta Caves, dating back to the 5th century CE. The project was formally launched in July 2023 through a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations, with funding support from the Ministry of Culture.
Named after the legendary mariner Kaundinya — believed to have sailed from India to Southeast Asia in ancient times — the vessel stands as a floating tribute to India’s forgotten maritime legacy. Every design detail carries cultural symbolism: the sails bear motifs of the Gandabherunda and the Sun, the bow features a sculpted Simha Yali, and a Harappan-style stone anchor rests on the deck, reflecting India’s civilisational depth.
Life on board: minimal comfort, maximum authenticity
Life aboard INSV Kaundinya is intentionally austere. The builders consciously avoided modern amenities to remain faithful to ancient methods, making the voyage as authentic as possible. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and the intellectual force behind reviving the stitched-ship idea, offered rare insights into life onboard.
Sharing images from the vessel on X, Sanyal wrote, “Modern amenities are minimal except for safety and communications. As you can see, there are no cabins — just a dark hold for storing supplies. Mostly, we sleep on the open deck with sleeping bags.”
He also described the crew’s strict rationing practices. “We are carrying some fresh vegetables that should last the first five to six days. Thereafter, it is dry rations and any fish we catch. Fresh water is rationed to 4.5 litres a day per person, including drinking, cooking, and washing,” Sanyal noted.
Strategic and cultural significance
Beyond its historical romance, the voyage carries modern strategic meaning. By sailing to Oman on a reconstructed ancient vessel, India is subtly asserting its role as a major maritime civilisation long before the dominance of European or Chinese trade routes. The journey challenges the widely held perception that ancient global trade was centred mainly on China’s Silk Road caravans.
The voyage also counters the notion that India’s maritime achievements were limited to the Chola expeditions around 1000 CE. Instead, INSV Kaundinya underscores that Indian sailors undertook long and complex sea voyages centuries earlier, actively shaping East-West trade networks.
As INSV Kaundinya cuts through the Indian Ocean winds, it does more than sail toward Muscat — it carries with it a revived narrative of India as a confident, outward-looking maritime power whose legacy continues to inspire the present.
