Indian Navy to Induct Ancient Stitched Ship in Landmark Ceremony at Karwar Naval Base

Karwar: In a landmark tribute to India’s rich maritime heritage, the Indian Navy is set to induct and unveil the name of the Ancient Stitched Ship during a ceremonial event on May 21, 2025, at the Naval Base in Karwar. The Hon’ble Minister of Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, will preside over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, formally marking the vessel’s induction into the Indian Navy.

The Ancient Stitched Ship is a meticulously crafted recreation of a 5th century CE Indian vessel, inspired by a historic painting from the Ajanta Caves. This ambitious project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, with funding provided by the Ministry of Culture. The keel for the ship was laid on September 12, 2023, and construction was completed using entirely traditional methods and materials.

Crafted under the supervision of master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran, artisans from Kerala employed ancient techniques to create the hull using thousands of hand-stitched joints. The ship was launched in February 2025 at M/s Hodi Shipyard in Goa, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to revive its maritime traditions.

The Indian Navy played a central role throughout the project, from conceptualization and design to technical validation and construction. Without any surviving blueprints or physical remains of the original ship, the design was extrapolated from two-dimensional art, posing unique challenges that required a fusion of disciplines—archaeology, naval architecture, hydrodynamic testing, and traditional craftsmanship.

Unlike modern vessels, the stitched ship features square sails, steering oars, and a stitched wooden hull—all design elements that were tested and validated from first principles. To ensure seaworthiness, the Indian Navy collaborated with the Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras to conduct model testing of the ship’s hydrodynamic behavior. An in-house structural analysis was also undertaken to assess the strength and integrity of the wooden mast system, constructed without the use of modern materials.

Balancing historical authenticity with functional design, the ship embodies a unique blend of innovation and tradition. Its construction marks the successful culmination of the project’s first and most technically demanding phase: transforming an ancient artistic depiction into a fully operational seafaring vessel.

Following its induction, the project will enter a new chapter as the Indian Navy prepares to sail the vessel along traditional maritime trade routes. Plans are already underway for a historic transoceanic voyage from Gujarat to Oman, intended to revive and celebrate the spirit of ancient Indian seafaring.