Insv Kaundinya: A Tribute To India’s Ancient Naval Heritage

By Author: Chaitanya Kumari
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Establishing a significant milestone in the maritime journey of India, INSV Kaundinya was formally commissioned into the Indian Navy on 21 May 2025. This is a stitched ship based on the ancient shipbuilding traditions of India. The ship has been skillfully reconstructed by traditional craftsmen based on paintings of merchant ships from the 5th century AD, in the Ajanta Caves. The Ajanta cave paintings are located 100 km North-east of the city of Chatrapati Sambajinagar in the state of Maharashtra in South India.

INSV Kaundinya - A Ship Reborn from Ancient Art
The INSV Kaundinya, which is a technological masterpiece of the naval armoury showcasing India's unmatched Naval capacities, is a harbinger of the glorious past of Bharat. It is a breathing testimony of India's ancient maritime heritage recreated to the finest details based on the breathtaking design of a vessel in a painting that dates back to the 5th century AD. The painting now beams at the famous architectural site of Ajanta caves, which is home to rich fresco work depicting the life, mythology, and culture of ancient India.

Design Features Rooted ...
... in Tradition
The INSV Kaundinya has square sails and steering oars, both typical of the early Indian naval vessels. Square sails enabled efficient use of wind power, and steering oars gave the necessary manoeuvrability required in coastal navigation. The ship architecture is a reminder of the elegance of the ancient maritime power of India, centuries earlier than the rise of European sea power.

Significance of Commissioning Date
The INSV Kaundinya was commissioned on 21st May 2025. 21st May is steeped with historical importance for the Indian Navy. On this day in 1650, the foundation of India's first-ever naval fleet was consolidated by an Indian emperor. This outlook by the great Maratha king, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, was revolutionary in 17th-century India, in understanding the value of sea power in securing the coast of his kingdom and trade routes. The induction of INSV Kaundinya echoes with this legacy of Shivaji Maharaj.

The Union Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, formally commissioned INSV Kaundinya. The ceremony was held in the esteemed presence of Rear Admiral K.M. Ramakrishnan and Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A).

Meaning Behind the Name “Kaundinya”
Kaundinya, or, rather, Koundinya, is the name of an ancient rishi who wandered far and wide in India in search of peace and divine truth. He is believed to be a pupil of the great Kundin Rishi, another name of Rishi Agastya, a renowned sage in Indian mythology and religion. The choice of Kaundinya as the name of this ship signifies the spirit of quest, wisdom, and endurance, the qualities of a sage who desires to understand the unfathomable mysteries of spirituality, but also the necessary characteristics of a sailor who has to explore the inaccessible depths of the seas.

Symbolism and National Pride
The INSV Kaundinya is not just a reconstructed ship, but a representative of Indian maritime culture and tradition. The induction of the ship into the Indian Navy is a major statement about the importance of local knowledge and history as India moves forward in building modern naval capabilities. This work bears tribute to traditional art and acknowledges the technological skill of the ancient Indian shipbuilders. But it also evokes some pride in the historical contributions of Indians to oceanic navigation and naval warfare, the histories of which are often dwarfed by accounts of colonialism.

Conclusion
The induction of INSV Kaundinya into the Indian Navy is a historic event that honours history, culture, and innovation. The reconstruction of this 5th-century ship employing classical elementary construction techniques is a testament to India's naval prowess. The religious legacy of the ship, represented in the name, speaks even more, filled with the spirit of exploration and strength. The INSV Kaundinya serves as a source of immense pride to symbolise India's eternal bond with the sea, one that continues to impact and guide the future of the Indian Navy.

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