INSV Kaundinya Honours Ancient Maritime Legacy

INSV Kaundinya Honours Ancient Maritime Legacy

Why in the News ?

The Indian Navy has commissioned INSV Kaundinya, a recreated ancient stitched sailing vessel, at Karwar Naval Base. Named after the legendary Indian mariner Kaundinya, it will retrace ancient trade routes to Southeast Asia and Oman by end-2025, highlighting India’s rich maritime exploration history and its connection to biodiversity in coastal regions.

INSV Kaundinya Honours Ancient Maritime Legacy

The Legend of Kaundinya and Queen Soma:

  • Over 2,000 years ago, Indian mariner Kaundinya sailed near the Mekong Delta (present-day Vietnam).
  • His ship was attacked by pirates and later damaged, forcing a halt for repairs.
  • The crew was surrounded by a local warrior clan led by Queen Soma.
  • While outnumbered, Kaundinya bravely resisted, and Queen Soma eventually fell in love with him.
  • They married and jointly founded the Kingdom of Funan, marking an early Indian connection with Southeast Asia.

Maritime Revival and Future Voyage

  • INSV Kaundinya will undertake a historic voyage to Oman in late 2025, retracing ancient maritime trade routes.
  • This reflects India’s efforts to revive maritime heritage, boost cultural diplomacy, and honour its seafaring history, while also promoting awareness of marine ecosystems and their importance in biodiversity conservation.
  • The INSV Kaundinya maritime legacy project also aims to highlight the historical connections between Indian naval vessels and ancient trade routes that facilitated cultural and biodiversity exchanges, including the spread of tropical forests and coral reef ecosystems.

About INSV Kaundinya: Stitched Ship Recreated

  • INSV Kaundinya, named after the legendary sailor, was inducted by the Indian Navy in Karwar.
  • The vessel is a faithful reconstruction of a 5th-century stitched ship, as seen in Ajanta cave paintings.
  • Built using traditional techniques from Kerala:
  • Coconut fibre stitching, wooden joinery, coir rope, and cotton sails.
  • The initiative was conceptualised by Sanjeev Sanyal, member of the PM’s Economic Advisory Council.