INSV Kaundinya Begins Historic Maiden Voyage from Porbandar to Oman
New Delhi: INSV Kaundinya, the Indian Navy’s unique engineless stitched ship inspired by ancient maritime traditions, set sail on its maiden voyage from Porbandar to Muscat, Oman, on Monday, marking a significant moment in India’s nautical history.
Constructed using the traditional stitched-ship technique dating back over 1,500 years, the vessel relies entirely on wind and sails, with no engine, metal fastenings or modern propulsion systems. The voyage aims to retrace India’s historic maritime links with the Gulf region, echoing seafaring practices of the 5th century.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to the crew and hailed the initiative as a tribute to India’s rich maritime heritage. In a post on X, the Prime Minister congratulated the designers, artisans, shipbuilders and the Indian Navy for bringing the ancient shipbuilding tradition back to life, calling the voyage a reminder of India’s historic connections beyond its shores.
INSV Kaundinya is expected to cover a distance of around 1,400 kilometres, or approximately 750 nautical miles, over the course of nearly 15 days. The journey is being undertaken by a 16-member crew trained in traditional navigation and sailing techniques.
Standing about 13 feet tall, the ship measures 65 feet in length and 22 feet in width, and weighs close to 50 tonnes. It is a recreation of a vessel depicted in the Ajanta cave paintings, offering a rare, tangible glimpse into India’s ancient maritime capabilities.
The ship was inducted into the Indian Navy in May this year during a ceremony presided over by Union Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Officials have described the project as a blend of archaeology, craftsmanship and naval expertise, aimed at reviving and showcasing India’s long-standing seafaring legacy.
As INSV Kaundinya charts its course across the Arabian Sea, the voyage stands as both a cultural milestone and a symbolic reaffirmation of India’s historic role as a maritime civilisation.