The Indian Navy is set to induct and unveil the name of the ‘Ancient Stitched Ship’ during a ceremonial event as part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The ceremony will take place at the Naval Base, Karwar.

Minister of Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will preside over the ceremony as the Chief Guest, formally marking the ship’s induction into the Indian Navy.

The stitched ship is a recreation of a 5th century CE vessel, inspired by a painting from the Ajanta Caves. This project was initiated through a tripartite agreement signed in July 2023 between the Ministry of Culture, the Indian Navy, and Hodi Innovations. The Ministry of Culture funded the project.

The Indian Navy oversaw the complete implementation of the project, covering concept development, design, technical validation, and construction, in collaboration with Hodi Innovations and traditional artisans. A glimpse of the ship was shared by the navy on X.

The keel of the ship was laid on September 12, 2023.

WHY IS ANCIENT STITCHED SHIP UNIQUE?

The ship is unique as its construction was executed entirely using traditional methods and raw materials by artisans from Kerala, led by master shipwright Babu Sankaran.

Thousands of hand-stitched joints were used in the process. The ship was launched in February 2025 at Hodi Shipyard, Goa.

Equipped with square sails and steering oars, the ship differs entirely from modern vessels. Hull geometry, rigging, and sails were developed from first principles. The Indian Navy collaborated with the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, for model testing to validate the vessel’s hydrodynamic performance. An in-house structural analysis was conducted to assess the wooden mast system, which was designed and built without the use of modern materials.

The project posed several unique technical challenges, as no blueprints or physical remnants of such ships exist. The design was extrapolated from a two-dimensional artistic depiction and required a multidisciplinary approach, including archaeological interpretation, naval architecture, hydrodynamic testing, and traditional craftsmanship.

Every element of the vessel was carefully crafted to strike a balance between historical authenticity and seaworthiness, resulting in a ship that features a stitched hull, square sails, wooden spars, and traditional steering mechanisms—unlike any currently in naval service worldwide.

With the successful construction of the Ancient Stitched Ship, the first and most formidable phase of the project is now complete. The next phase will involve the Indian Navy undertaking a transoceanic voyage along ancient maritime trade routes.

Preparations for the ship’s maiden journey from Gujarat to Oman are already underway.