INSV Kaundinya successfully completed its maiden 18-day voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, showcasing India's ancient stitched-shipbuilding heritage and civilisational ties with Oman and the Gulf. Built without nails and inspired by Ajanta cave paintings, it symbolises indigenous craftsmans
"The main objective of the Kaundinya project now stands proved: we have demonstrated how ancient "stitched" ships from India could cross the oceans, we know the strengths and drawbacks of this design, and have good idea of the human experience of ancient mariners," Sanjeev Sanyal posted from
In a post on X, the Indian Navy shared, "Indian Navy to induct and name the Ancient Stitched Ship on May 21 at Naval Base, Karwar. Reconstructed from a 5th-century Ajanta painting, the ship was built using the ancient technique of stitching, with square sails and steering oars. A rare feat i
The recreation of the ancient stitched ship is a multi-ministerial project with design and construction being overseen by the Indian Navy and funded by the Ministry of Culture.