INSV Kaundinya – Reviving India’s Maritime Heritage
- vidyarthee2021
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
In a significant tribute to India’s ancient maritime traditions, the Indian Navy has inducted INSV Kaundinya, a traditionally built Indian Naval Sailing Vessel, at the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka. What sets this vessel apart is its construction — it follows the 2,000-year-old Tankai method, showcasing India’s indigenous shipbuilding legacy.
INSV Kaundinya: A Sail into the Past
Design Inspiration: Based on ships depicted in the 5th-century CE Ajanta Cave paintings
Construction:
Wooden planks stitched using coir rope, coconut fibre, and natural resin
No nails used – ensures greater flexibility and durability
Name Origin: Named after Kaundinya, the legendary Indian mariner who is believed to have sailed to Southeast Asia, contributing to cultural and trade exchanges across the Indian Ocean
Tankai Method: Ancient Indian Shipbuilding
Age: Over 2,000 years old
Technique: Involves stitching planks rather than hammering nails
Benefits:
Adaptable to rough marine conditions
Resistant to damage from shoals and sandbars
Cultural Significance: Reflects India’s maritime innovation during ancient times when it maintained robust trade links across the Indian Ocean Rim
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper 1 (Culture & Heritage): Revival of ancient shipbuilding technique
GS Paper 3 (Indigenization & Technology): Promotion of traditional knowledge systems in modern defense
GS Paper 2 (IR): Symbolic revival of maritime linkages with Southeast Asia – Act East Policy
Essay & Ethics: Relevance of preserving traditional practices in a modernizing world
📘 Prelims Practice Question:
Q. With reference to INSV Kaundinya and the Tankai method, consider the following statements:
INSV Kaundinya is built using iron nails to ensure modern durability.
The Tankai method involves stitching wooden planks using natural materials like coir and resin.
The design of INSV Kaundinya is inspired by ancient ship depictions found in Indian cave art.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: B. 2 and 3 only
Explanation:
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Tankai method does not use iron nails; it uses stitching with coir and resin.
Statement 2 is correct: This ancient technique uses natural materials to join planks.
Statement 3 is correct: INSV Kaundinya is inspired by ships shown in the Ajanta Cave paintings.
✍️ Mains Practice Question (GS Paper 1/3):
Discuss the significance of reviving traditional shipbuilding techniques like the Tankai method in the context of India’s cultural heritage and maritime strategy.
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