INSV Koundinya

INSV Koundinya

Why in News? 

Recently, at a special ceremony held at the Karwar Naval Base, the Indian Navy formally inducted a ship constructed using an ancient stitching technique called “INSV Kaundinya”. 

 What is INSV Kaundinya?

• Introduction:
  • The Indian Navy has added a new vessel to its fleet, named INSV Kaundinya.
    • This ship carries the legacy of an ancient Indian seafarer, Kaundinya, in its name.
  • This traditional design revives India’s ancient shipbuilding brilliance through authentic recreation.
  • This ship is a living example of ancient Indian shipbuilding techniques, constructed to be fully functional and meet modern requirements.
  • This ship echoes the legacy of indigenous ship construction crafted with the ‘stitched plank’ method.
  • Its blueprint draws inspiration from a centuries-old ship depicted in the fifth-century Ajanta cave paintings.
  • The ship is constructed by tightly joining wooden components and sewing them together.
• Institutions:
  • The making of INSV Kaundinya is the outcome of a joint effort by three prominent Indian institutions.
  • This unique collaboration was formalised through a tripartite agreement signed in mid-2023.
  • Under this agreement, the Ministry of Culture provided financial support.
  • The Indian Navy offered technical consultation and quality control.
  • Goa-based Hodi Innovations took the lead in turning this historical design into a seaworthy vessel.
• Plan: 
  • This ship will be sent on a historic maritime voyage towards Oman by the end of 2025.
  • Following ancient trade routes, this voyage will revive old maritime connections between India and West Asia.

Features of INSV Kaundinya

• Traditional Stitched Technique:
  • The ship is built using the stitched plank technique, in which no nails or metal fasteners are used to join wooden planks.
  • Coir rope, palm fibres, and natural resin are used to bind the components securely.
  • The stitching technique used revives a signature method once central to India’s maritime craftsmanship.
• Design and Scientific Evaluation:
  • The visual layout was meticulously derived from artistic impressions found in the Ajanta cave murals.
  • To validate its functionality, the ship underwent hydrodynamic analysis at IIT Madras.
    • These scientific tests ensured the ship’s movement, balance, and endurance at sea.
• Artistic and Cultural Symbolism:
  • INSV Kaundinya features several symbolic images and designs that represent Indian history and culture.
  • Its sails bear the emblem of Gandabherunda (a two-headed Garuda) and the sun symbol, representing the Kadamba dynasty’s maritime strength.
  • A Simha Yali (mythical lion sculpture) is installed on the prow, symbolising the ship’s protection and power.
  • On its deck lies a stone anchor inspired by Harappan maritime tools, symbolising ancient sea trade.
• Maritime Equipment:
  • The ship is equipped with square sails and wooden steering oars, which replicate the tools used by ancient seafarers.
  • These instruments link the ship to ancient navigation techniques and enhance its historical authenticity.
• Literary Inspiration:
  • The design and construction of INSV Kaundinya draw inspiration from the ancient Indian Yuktikalpataru text (a 9th-century treatise on navigation), the Ajanta mural paintings, and accounts of ancient stitched ships recorded by foreign travellers.

Shipbuilding Stitching Technique – “Tankai Method”

• Introduction:
  • The Tankai Method is a 2000-year-old traditional Indian shipbuilding technique, based on sewing wooden planks with ropes instead of using nails.
  • This technique is entirely handcrafted, relying on indigenous materials and traditional knowledge, making it distinct from modern industrial practices.
• Method:
  • In the Tankai technique, shipbuilding begins with the hull, not with the frame, as is common in European methods.
  • Wooden planks (Teak, Sal, Mango) are first pierced and then stitched using coir rope (made from coconut husk). 
  • The joints are then sealed using cotton, fish oil, and natural dammar resin, making them waterproof.
• Features:
  • The most notable aspect of this technique is that it uses no metal or nails.
    • The absence of metal keeps the ship rust-free, lightweight, and more flexible and durable in the sea.
    • This helps the ship to withstand sandbars and shallow waters, making it highly suitable for Indian coastal regions.
  • The revival of the Tankai method strengthens India’s cultural and historical ties with Indian Ocean Littoral States.
  • This technique is a living symbol of India’s maritime civilisation and trading traditions.