In a historic initiative blending maritime heritage with modern naval vision, the Indian Navy is set to induct an Ancient Stitched Ship—a recreation of a 5th-century CE vessel—during a ceremonial event at Naval Base, Karwar, on May 21, 2025.
Minister of Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, will officiate as the Chief Guest at the unveiling.
Inspired by ship depictions from the Ajanta Caves, the vessel was crafted using age-old methods and indigenous materials under the guidance of master shipwright Shri Babu Sankaran. The ship features thousands of hand-stitched joints, square sails, and traditional steering oars—components now extinct in modern naval construction.
The ambitious project, initiated through a tripartite agreement in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, represents a fusion of archaeological interpretation, naval engineering, and traditional craftsmanship. Without any surviving blueprints or artefacts, the Indian Navy relied on iconographic extrapolation and collaborated with IIT Madras to validate the ship’s hydrodynamic performance.
This unique stitched-hull vessel was launched in February 2025 in Goa and has since completed its first phase of construction. Now, it will enter the next phase: a transoceanic voyage along ancient maritime trade routes. The Navy is preparing the ship’s maiden journey from Gujarat to Oman, reviving the spirit of India’s ancient maritime prowess.
This initiative not only demonstrates India’s traditional shipbuilding excellence but also reaffirms the Indian Navy’s role as a custodian of the nation’s maritime heritage.
