5th Century-Style Ship Recreated by Indian Navy to Be Inducted on May 21

The Indian Navy will formally induct and unveil the Ancient Stitched Ship during a ceremonial event at Karwar Naval Base on 21 May 2025.

The ship is a full-scale reconstruction of a 5th century CE stitched-hull vessel, inspired by a painting in the Ajanta Caves. Built entirely with traditional methods and materials, the project showcases India’s maritime craftsmanship and historical shipbuilding expertise.

The ship’s keel was laid on 12 September 2023 following a tripartite agreement in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and M/s Hodi Innovations, which led the construction. Artisans from the state of Kerala completed the vessel using thousands of hand-stitched wooden joints with coir and natural resins.

The Ancient Stitched Ship was launched on 26 February 2025 at M/s Hodi Shipyard in Goa. Rear Admiral KM Ramakrishnan, Flag Officer Commanding, was present at the traditional launch ceremony attended by artisans, Indian Navy personnel, and shipyard representatives.

The Indian Navy supervised the entire project—from concept development and design to construction and testing. With no surviving blueprints or physical ship remnants, the Navy relied on archaeological interpretations, hydrodynamic modelling, and naval architectural expertise to recreate the vessel.

The vessel is equipped with square sails, wooden masts, and traditional steering oars—elements not found in modern ships. Hull geometry, rigging, and mast systems were all reimagined based on artistic depictions and validated through model testing at IIT Madras.

Post induction, the ship will begin its next phase—a sea voyage retracing historical maritime trade routes. The Indian Navy is preparing the vessel’s maiden transoceanic journey from Gujarat to Oman, echoing ancient Indian seafaring traditions.