Hyderabad – The Indian Navy is set to officially welcome a unique ship into its fleet — the Ancient Stitched Ship — during a special ceremony on Wednesday at Naval Base, Karwar. Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will lead the event as the Chief Guest, marking the ship’s formal induction.
This remarkable vessel is a modern reconstruction of an ancient 5th-century ship, inspired by artwork found in the historic Ajanta Caves. The project began in July 2023, when the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations signed a three-way agreement. The Ministry also funded the initiative.
The ship’s keel was laid on September 12, 2023, and its construction was completed using only traditional techniques. Skilled artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran, built the ship by stitching thousands of joints by hand — a method used in ancient Indian shipbuilding.
In February 2025, the ship was launched at the Hodi Shipyard in Goa. Throughout the project, the Indian Navy closely supervised every step: from the initial concept and design to technical validation and final construction. Since there are no existing models or blueprints of such ships, the builders had to rely entirely on ancient visuals and expert interpretation.
To bring this ancient design to life, the team combined archaeology, naval architecture, hydrodynamic testing, and traditional craftsmanship. Unlike modern ships, this vessel uses square sails and steering oars instead of rudders. Its unique shape and rigging had to be developed from scratch and tested to ensure it could sail safely.
The Navy also worked with IIT Madras’ Department of Ocean Engineering to test how the ship would behave at sea. They used scale models to study its performance through hydrodynamic simulations. Meanwhile, Navy engineers analyzed the structure of the wooden mast, crafted without any modern materials.
The finished ship blends historical design with modern engineering insights, creating a seaworthy vessel that reflects India’s ancient maritime traditions. With its stitched hull, wooden spars, and traditional sails, the ship stands apart from anything currently in use worldwide.
Now that construction is complete, the project moves to its next big step. The Indian Navy plans to sail this traditional vessel along historic trade routes, aiming to revive India’s seafaring legacy. Preparations are already in progress for its first ocean journey — a voyage from Gujarat to Oman.
This achievement is more than just a technical success. It celebrates India’s shipbuilding heritage, showcases the Navy’s role in preserving cultural traditions, and brings ancient Indian craftsmanship back to life on the open seas.
