INDIAN NAVY TO INCLUDE TRADITIONALLY CRAFTED ‘ANCIENT STITCHED VESSEL’

The Indian Navy will introduce and announce the name of the Ancient Stitched Ship at a ceremonial function on 21 May 2025 at Naval Base, Karwar. The esteemed Minister of Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, will lead the ceremony as the Chief Guest, officially signifying the ship’s induction into the Indian Navy.

The sewn vessel is a reproduction of a ship from the 5th century CE, influenced by an artwork from the Ajanta Caves. The project was officially launched via a tripartite agreement signed in July 2023 among the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with financial support from the Ministry of Culture. The Keel laying ceremony for the Stitched Ship occurred on 12 Sep 23

The building of the Stitched Ship was accomplished solely through traditional techniques and materials by craftsmen from Kerala, under the guidance of master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran, who performed thousands of hand-stitched connections. The vessel was inaugurated in February 2025 at M/s Hodi Shipyard, Goa .

The Indian Navy has managed the full scope of executing this project, which encompasses concept development, design, technical validation, and construction in partnership with M/s Hodi Innovations and local artisans. The design and creation presented distinct technical difficulties. In the absence of any existing blueprints or material traces, the design had to be derived from a two-dimensional artistic representation.

Every element of the vessel needed to reconcile historical accuracy with functionality at sea, resulting in design decisions that were both inventive and faithful to the seafaring customs of ancient India. The blend of a sewn hull, square sails, wooden spars, and conventional steering systems renders the ship distinct from any naval vessel in operation globally. The successful finalization of the Ancient Stitched Ship’s construction signifies the achievement of the first and most challenging phase, transforming an artistic representation into a fully operational seafaring craft.

After induction, the project will move into its crucial second phase, during which the Indian Navy will embark on the ambitious task of navigating this ship through historic maritime trade routes, rekindling the essence of ancient Indian exploration at sea. Plans for the ship’s first transoceanic journey from Gujarat to Oman are already in progress.

The finishing of the stitched ship construction not only reinforces India’s deep shipbuilding history but also demonstrates the Indian Navy’s dedication to maintaining and implementing the existing practices of India’s Maritime Heritage.