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Heritage Unleashed: India’s Nail-Less Ship Dares the Deep

How traditional craftsmanship proved its strength against modern waters

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Heritage Unleashed: India’s Nail-Less Ship Dares the DeepA remarkable chapter in India’s maritime revival was written when a hand-stitched wooden ship, crafted entirely without the use of metal nails, successfully completed a historic sea voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat to Muscat in Oman. Inspired by maritime depictions found in the 5th-century Ajanta Cave paintings, the vessel sailed approximately 650 nautical miles between December 29, 2025, and January 14, reaffirming the advanced seafaring knowledge possessed by ancient Indian shipbuilders.

The ship was constructed using traditional techniques, where wooden planks were stitched together with coir ropes and sealed using natural resin, replicating methods believed to have been used more than a millennium ago. Powered by square sails, the vessel relied on wind, seamanship, and time-tested navigation skills rather than modern propulsion systems.

-BY Namrata Mishra Tiwari, Chief Editor http://indiainput.com

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I, on behalf of the crew, would like thank Nau Devi for the safe arrival of INSV Kaundinya in Muscat on the auspicious day of Makara Sankranti. https://t.co/CVUSbQKb1v

— Sanjeev Sanyal (@sanjeevsanyal) January 14, 2026

The expedition was led by noted economist and historian Sanjeev Sanyal, alongside Commander Vikas Sheoran of the Indian Navy and master shipbuilder Hemant Kumar. A 16-member crew, backed by the Indian Navy, undertook the challenging journey, navigating rough seas and unpredictable weather conditions across the Arabian Sea. The successful completion of the voyage served as strong proof of the ship’s seaworthiness and the effectiveness of ancient Indian maritime engineering.

Dear @narendramodi, a billion Indians nominate @sanjeevsanyal and the Kaundinya team for this year’s Padma honours, for proving ancient India’s maritime prowess by sailing a ship built to 5th century specification.

Some advance towards greatness; others return to it. We do both. pic.twitter.com/1BkEutCKLS

— Anand Ranganathan (@ARanganathan72) January 14, 2026

India’s Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman lauded the expedition, describing it as a powerful bridge between India’s visual heritage and contemporary craftsmanship. She noted that the project demonstrated how ancient artistic depictions were not merely symbolic but deeply rooted in practical knowledge and skill.

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Remember the “historians” who were claiming Sanjeev Sanyal wasn’t a “true historian”. Guess what? He’s achieved practical proof, that none of these clowns have ever gotten close to. These “historians” don’t have the training to even read an archeological site report leave alone… https://t.co/76VqUvlBMb

— Abhijit Iyer-Mitra (@Iyervval) January 14, 2026

Several public figures and historians also highlighted the deeper historical significance of the voyage, pointing to India’s long-standing maritime connections with Oman, which date back thousands of years through trade, cultural exchange, and shared seafaring traditions.

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The civilisation that composed the Vedas is the same civilisation that mastered oceans. This stitched-sail voyage to Muscat is an ice-breaking moment, reclaiming India’s maritime memory, craftsmanship, and confidence 🇮🇳🪷

Thank you @sanjeevsanyal, team @INSVKaundinya https://t.co/1LVp2xbYHo

— Shitanshu Pandey (@ShitanshuEngg) January 16, 2026

More than just a voyage, the expedition stood as a tribute to India’s enduring maritime legacy—reviving forgotten techniques, honoring ancient wisdom, and proving that traditional knowledge, when rediscovered, can still navigate modern seas with confidence and pride.

SOURCE :

http://👉 https://indiannavy.gov.in/content/indian-navys-pioneering-stitched-sailing-vessel-insv-kaundinya-embark-her-maiden-voyage

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2214685&reg=3&lang=2

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