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{{Short description|Indian Navy ship}}
{{italic title|string=Kaundinya}}{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox ship 
|infobox_caption= 
|display_title= INSV ''Kaundinya''
|sclass= 
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
|image= INSV Kaundinya returns from maiden overseas voyage to Oman.jpg
|image_caption=INSV ''Kaundinya'' returns from her maiden voyage to Oman
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
|hide_header=
|country= India
|flag= {{shipboxflag|India|naval}}
|name= ''Kaundinya''
|owner=
|namesake=[[Kaundinya I]] Legendary 1st-century Indian [[mariner]] who became [[King of Cambodia]]
|ordered=
|builder= M/s Hodi Innovations (OPC) Private Ltd.
|laid_down= September 2023
|launched=February 2025
|acquired=
|commissioned= 21 May 2025
|decommissioned=
|in_service=
|out_of_service=
|struck=
|reinstated=
|identification=
|honours=
|honors=
|fate=
|status=
|notes=INSV Kaundinya <ref>{{Cite web|title=INSV Kaundinya|url=https://x.com/INSVKaundinya}}</ref>
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
|hide_header=
|header_caption=
|type=
|displacement=
|length= 19.6 metres (64.3 feet)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2025-06-05 |title=Vessel Review {{!}} INSV Kaundinya – Indian wooden sailing ship built using traditional stitching technique|url=https://www.bairdmaritime.com/work-boat-world/other-workboats/vessel-review-insv-kaundinya-indian-wooden-sailing-ship-built-using-traditional-stitching-technique|access-date=2025-06-06 |work=bairdmaritime|language=en-IN}}</ref>
|beam= 6.5 metres (21 feet)
|draught=3.33 metres (10.9 feet)
|draft=
|propulsion= twin sail, oars
|speed=
|range=
|complement=
|sensors=
|EW=
|armament=
|armour=
|armor=
|aircraft=
|aircraft_facilities=
|notes= all natural material used and ship built using ancient technique
|crew= 15
}}
}}
'''INSV ''Kaundinya''''' is an Indian navy [[Sailing ship|sailing vessel]] constructed using [[Sewn boat|sewn ship technique]]. Her design is based on a 5th century CE/AD merchant ship depicted in the murals of cave 17 of [[Ajanta Caves]] complex.

It is named after Kaundinya (or [[Kaundinya I]]), who was a legendary first-century Indian [[mariner]] who sailed to Southeast Asia, married Queen Soma of Funan, which comprised most of the present day [[Cambodia]]. He became the second king of [[Funan|Funan kingdom]].

==Background==
[[File:INSV Kaundinya project team members.jpg|thumb|left|The Stitched Ship project team]]
Ancient ships constructed in India often used natural fibers as fasteners instead of metallic nails so as to prevent corrosion. This technique is similar to sewn ships and boats found in other regions of the ancient world. Use of natural fibers like [[coir]] for sewn construction is mentioned in texts such as the ''[[Bhoja|Yukti Kalpataru]]'', an 11th century encyclopedic treatise on Indian craftsmanship. The idea of reconstructing an ancient Indian sailing vessel was conceptualised by economist, historian and author [[Sanjeev Sanyal]]. The concept was realised into a project by Cdr Hemanth Kumar, a Naval Architect from the Indian Navy. The project was funded by [[Ministry of Culture (India)|Ministry of Culture]] and was initiated via a tripartite agreement signed among the Ministry, [[Indian Navy]], and Goa-based shipbuilding company M/s Hodi Innovations (OPC) Private Ltd. in July 2023. The [[keel]] laying of the ship happened in September 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-21 |title=Navy inducts 'stitched sail ship' as INSV Kaundinya |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-inducts-stitched-sail-ship-as-insv-kaundinya/article69601911.ece |access-date=2025-05-21 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

Sanjeev Sanyal said about Kaundinya, “He is the first Indian mariner, who we know by name, to have crossed the seas to visit Southeast Asia and had a significant impact on world history,” told The Indian Express. Though India has an old maritime culture dating back to the Bronze Age, we do not know the names of those mariners who were crossing the seas. The first definitive one, who was engaging in maritime voyages to far-away lands and of whom we know, is Kaundinya. His references are recorded in Cambodian and Southern Vietnamese sources, but not in Indian records. We do not know what Kaundinya’s ship looked like. But the ships of that period looked like what we have built”.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-21 |title=An ancient Indian mariner, a warrior queen, and a love story — what gave INSV Kaundinya its name |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/an-ancient-indian-mariner-a-warrior-queen-and-a-love-story-what-gave-insv-kaundinya-its-name-10020800/|access-date=2025-06-06 |work=indianexpress|language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Development==
[[File:INSV Kaundinya based on Ajanta Cave Drawing.jpg|thumb|The 5th century Ajanta cave mural that inspired creation of INSV Kaundinya]]
The ship’s design draws inspiration from 5th-century CE murals found in the Ajanta Caves, depicting similar vessels. Without blueprint the Indian Navy and artisans from [[Kerala]] headed by master shipwright Babu Sankaran and builder Prathamesh Dandekar<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-07 |title=Stitched ship project: Recreating ancient Indian maritime wonder |url=https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/stitched-ship-project-recreating-ancient-indian-maritime-wonder-13790387.html |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> worked together to recreate the ship. The stitched ship is equipped with square sails and steering oars, which are entirely alien to modern day ships. The hull geometry, rigging and sails were reimagined and tested from first principles. Indian Navy collaborated with the Department of Ocean Engineering, [[IIT Madras]], for validating the vessel’s [[hydrodynamic]] behaviour at sea. In-house structural analysis to assess the wooden mast system, designed and constructed without contemporary materials, was done using iconographic references and hydrodynamic model testing conducted at IIT Madras.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-07 |title=Navy recreates stitched ship based on 5th century Ajanta paintings|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/navy-inducts-stitched-sail-ship-as-insv-kaundinya/article69601911.ece |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=thehindu|language=en-us}}</ref>
The Stitched ship project was initiated through a tripartite agreement between the Indian Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and [[Goa]]-based shipbuilding company M/s Hodi Innovations (OPC) Private Ltd. on July 2023. The keel was laid on 12 September 2023<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keel Laying Ceremony of the Ancient Stitched Ship |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1956754 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250403090614/https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1956754 |archive-date=3 April 2025 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.pib.gov.in |url-status=live }}</ref> and ship was commissioned on 21 May 2025. The Indian Navy oversaw the design, technical validation, and construction process. As per Indian Navy, the stitched ship is equipped with square sails and steering oars, which are "entirely alien to modern-day ships". The hull geometry, rigging, and sails had to be reimagined and tested from first principles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Navy Inducts Traditionally Built Stitched Ship, A Recreation Of 5th Century Vessel |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/navy-inducts-traditionally-built-stitched-ship-insv-kaundinya-a-recreation-of-5th-century-vessel-8472312 |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=www.ndtv.com |language=en}}</ref>

=== Ship Description ===
The ships motifs are the [[Gandabherunda]] or the two headed eagle and the Sun. A Simha Yali is depicted on the bow, and a Harappan style stone anchor adorns her deck.<ref>{{Cite web |website=PIB |date=21 May 2025 |title=Traditionally Built 'Ancient Stitched Ship' Inducted Into the Indian Navy as INSV Kaundinya |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2130294}}</ref> In the ancient “stitched shipbuilding,” technique wooden planks are tied together using coir rope, coconut fibre, and sealed with natural resin.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}} The ship serves as a tangible symbol of India’s long standing maritime traditions of exploration, trade, and cultural exchange.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-05-21 |title=Navy inducts traditionally-built stitched ship as INSV Kaundinya, names it after legendary mariner |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/navy-inducts-traditionally-built-stitched-ship-as-insv-kaundinya-names-it-after-legendary-mariner/articleshow/121318102.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-05-21 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=Indian Navy inducts historic ship 'Kaundinya' built using ancient techniques - Public TV English |url=https://english.publictv.in/indian-navy-inducts-historic-ship-kaundinya-built-using-ancient-techniques/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> The ship is also equipped with certain modern technologies, such as a [[Eutelsat OneWeb|Eutelsat Oneweb]] satellite dish, facilitating long-range satellite communications with other vessels during transit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-14 |title=Eutelsat’s OneWeb Enables Connectivity for Indian Navy’s Historic Project Kaundinya Voyage |url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/eutelsat/pressreleases/eutelsats-oneweb-enables-connectivity-for-indian-navys-historic-project-kaundinya-voyage-3426089 |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Mynewsdesk |language=en}}</ref>

==Service history==
[[File:INSV Kaundinya.jpg|thumb|INSV Kaundinya on launch|left]]
After its launch in February 2025, the ship was formally inducted by the [[Indian Navy]] on May 21, 2025.<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 21, 2025 |title=Indian Navy inducts traditionally-built stitched INSV Kaundinya—a recreation of 5th-century ship |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/indian-navy-inducts-traditionally-built-stitched-insv-kaundinya-a-recreation-of-5th-century-ship-11747843264158.html |access-date=May 21, 2025 |work=Livemint}}</ref> The ship is based at [[Karwar]] [[Naval Base]] and its first transoceanic voyage with a 15-member crew along the [[ancient]] [[trade route]] from [[Gujarat]] to [[Oman]] is planned for late 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bhardwaj |first=Vishakha |date=2025-05-21 |title=Indian Navy Recreates 5th Century Ship, Commissions INSV Kaundinya |url=https://thedailyguardian.com/india/indian-navy-recreates-5th-century-ship-commissions-insv-kaundinya/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=The Daily Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

''Kaundinya'' sailed out of Karwar Naval Base enroute to [[Porbandar]] on 13 December 2025. The ship will take 8–10 days to reach the port city following which it will start its maiden transoceanic journey to Oman on 29 December. The ship crew has received harbour training including rigging and carpentry by traditional artisans.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-14 |title=Navy’s stitched ship to set sail, retrace ancient sea route to Oman |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/navys-stitched-ship-to-set-sail-retrace-ancient-sea-route-to-oman-10419087/ |access-date=2025-12-14 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> The ship, with 13 sailors and four officers, led by [[Commander]] Vikas Sheoran, left Porbandar for [[Muscat]] on 29 December 2025. Commander Y Hemant Kumar, associated with the project since conceptualisation, will serve as the Officer-in-Charge of the expedition.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=INSV Kaundinya embarks on her maiden voyage |date=2025-12-29 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2209572&reg=3&lang=1 |access-date=2025-12-30}}</ref> By 12 January 2026, the ship had reached Omani waters, North of [[Sur, Oman|Sur]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-01-12 |title=Indian sailing vessel 'Kaundinya' built using 2000-year-old technique enters Omani waters on historic voyage |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-sailing-vessel-kaundinya-built-using-2000-year-old-technique-enters-omani-waters-on-historic-voyage/articleshow/126479792.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2026-01-13 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> She reached [[Muscat]] on 14 January.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-15 |title=INSV Kaundinya: Hand-stitched Indian ship arrives in Oman |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyn15110gvo |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2026-01-16 |title=Indian diaspora in Oman hosts grand welcome for INSV Kaundinya crew |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-diaspora-in-oman-hosts-grand-welcome-for-insv-kaundinya-crew-101768522873597.html |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}</ref> She returned to [[Mumbai]] upon conclusion of her voyage on 2nd February 2026.<ref>https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2234285&reg=3&lang=1</ref> The ship returned to India by the end of March.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=Raksha Rajya Mantri Flags Off IOS SAGAR from Mumbai |date=2026-03-02 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2248586&reg=3&lang=1 |access-date=2026-03-03}}</ref>

On 3 February 2026, it was reported that the ship will retrace another ancient trade route from [[Odisha]] to [[Bali]], [[Indonesia]] on the event of [[Kartika Purnima]]. This was announced by [[Sanjeev Sanyal]], a member of the [[Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister]] (EAC-PM).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2026-02-03 |title=INS Kaundinya to sail ancient Odisha–Bali trade route on Kartik Purnima: Sanjeev Sanyal |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/ins-kaundinya-to-sail-ancient-odishabali-trade-route-on-kartik-purnima-sanjeev-sanyal/articleshow/127882994.cms |access-date=2026-02-09 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[List of active Indian Navy ships]]
*[[Jewel of Muscat]]

==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Commons category|INSV Kaundinya}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaundinya}}
[[Category:Naval ships of India]]
[[Category:Ships of India]]
[[Category:Individual sailing vessels]]
[[Category:2025 ships]]
[[Category:Ministry of Culture (India)]]

INSV Kaundinya - Revision history

Timesofmillionaire at 17:59, 5 May 2026