Why in News? 

The Indian Navy recently inducted and named a stitched sail ship, INSV Kaundinya, during a formal ceremony held at the Naval Base in Karwar. 

INSV Kaundinya: Key Highlights 

• Historic Recreation: INSV Kaundinya is a stitched sail ship modeled after a 5th-century vessel depicted in the Ajanta Caves paintings, representing India’s ancient maritime heritage. 
• Project Collaboration: Initiated in July 2023 through an agreement between the Ministry of Culture, Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture. Construction started in September 2023 using traditional stitching techniques by skilled artisans from Kerala led by master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran. 
• Construction and Design: Wooden planks were stitched using coir rope, coconut fibre, and natural resin. The Indian Navy led the design and technical validation, collaborating with IIT Madras for hydrodynamic testing, as no original blueprints exist for such vessels. 
• Cultural Significance: The ship features motifs like Gandabherunda and the Sun on its sails, a sculpted Simha Yali on the bow, and a Harappan-style stone anchor on the deck, reflecting India’s rich maritime traditions. 
• Future Mission: INSV Kaundinya, now based at Karwar, is set to undertake a transoceanic voyage later this year, retracing the ancient trade route from Gujarat to Oman. 

INSV Kaundinya