Why is it in the news?
→ India’s stitched ship completed maiden voyage to Muscat, highlighting maritime heritage.
Category
History
Important Points
- Reached Port Sultan Qaboos after sailing from Porbandar.
- India’s first stitched ship built using ancient Tankai method.
- Tankai uses coir ropes, no metal fasteners; waterproofed with dammar resin and animal fat.
- Hull-first construction inspired by Ajanta cave paintings and Yuktikalpataru.
- Symbolic motifs include Gandabherunda, Sun motifs, Simha Yali, Harappan anchor.
- Named after Kaundinya, a 1st-century mariner linked to the Kingdom of Funan.
- Connectivity supported by OneWeb satellite constellation.