Ancient stitched ship inducted into Indian Navy as INSV Kaundinya at Karwar
The Indian Navy inducted and named the traditionally built 'ancient stitched ship' as INSV Kaundinya at Naval Base, Karwar on 21 May 2025, with Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat as chief guest.
Summary
The Indian Navy formally inducted and named the ancient stitched ship as INSV Kaundinya at Naval Base, Karwar on 21 May 2025; Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat was the chief guest. The stitched sail ship is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of the Ajanta Caves. It was built under a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy and M/s Hodi Innovations, with funding from the Ministry of Culture. Artisans from Kerala led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran stitched the wooden planks using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin. The design was validated through hydrodynamic model testing at IIT Madras. Her sails carry Gandabherunda and Sun motifs, the bow bears a sculpted Simha Yali, and a Harappan-style stone anchor is on deck.
Key facts
- Inducted
- 21 May 2025, Naval Base, Karwar
- Chief guest
- Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
- Based on
- 5th-century CE ship in Ajanta Caves paintings
- Partners
- Ministry of Culture (funding), Indian Navy, M/s Hodi Innovations
- Built by
- Kerala artisans led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran
- Method
- Planks stitched with coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin
- Design validation
- Hydrodynamic model testing at IIT Madras
- Features
- Gandabherunda and Sun on sails; Simha Yali on bow; Harappan-style stone anchor
Practice MCQs 4 questions
INSV Kaundinya, inducted into the Indian Navy in May 2025, is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — The paintings of the Ajanta Caves
INSV Kaundinya is based on a 5th-century CE ship depicted in the paintings of the Ajanta Caves.
Where was the ancient stitched ship formally inducted and named INSV Kaundinya on 21 May 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Naval Base, Karwar
The induction ceremony was held at Naval Base, Karwar.
Who was the chief guest at the induction of INSV Kaundinya into the Indian Navy on 21 May 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat presided as chief guest; the project was funded by the Ministry of Culture.
Consider the following statements about INSV Kaundinya: 1. Its hull planks were stitched using coir rope, coconut fibre and natural resin by artisans from Kerala. 2. Its design was validated through hydrodynamic model testing at IIT Madras. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Ministry of Defence release.