India's maritime history predates the birth of western civilization. Navigation, as a science originated during the Indus valley civilization some 5000 years ago. The world's first tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BC during the Harappan civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast.
The word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Navgath' meaning navigation. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nou’.
Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (4th century BC) had an entire state department for sailing activities and appointed Navadhyaksha (Sailing Superintendent) for the same.
The word Navigation is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Navgath' meaning navigation. The word navy is also derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Nou’.
Emperor Chandragupta Maurya (4th century BC) had an entire state department for sailing activities and appointed Navadhyaksha (Sailing Superintendent) for the same.
Yukti Kalpa Taru Yukti Kalpa Taru an ancient Indian text on Ship-building writtern by Bhoja Narapati and narrates in detail the various kind of vessels they built and their construction techniques. The treatise also gives elaborate directions for decorating and furnishing the ships with a view to making them comfortable for passengers. Also mentioned are details about the internal seating and accommodation to be provided on the ships. Three classes of ships are distinguished according to their length and the position of cabins. The ships having cabins extending from one end of the deck to the other are called Sarvamandira vessels. The primary division is into 2 classes viz. Samanya (ordinary) and Vishesha (Special). The ordinary type for sea voyages. Ships that undertook sea voyages were classified into, Dirgha type of ships which had a long and narrow hull and the Unnata type of ships which had a higher hull. [2] |
Even a sextant was used for navigation and was called Vruttashanga-Bhaga. But what is more surprising is that even a contrived mariner's compass was used by Indian navigators nearly 1500 to 2000 years ago. This claim is not being made in an overzealous nationalistic spirit.[3] This has in fact been the suggestion of an European expert, Mr. J.L. Reid, who was a member of the Institute of Naval Architects and Shipbuilders in England at around the beginning of the present century.
This is what Mr. Reid has said in the Bombay Gazetteer, vol. xiii., Part ii., Appendix A:
This is what Mr. Reid has said in the Bombay Gazetteer, vol. xiii., Part ii., Appendix A:
The early Hindu astrologers are said to have used the magnet, in fixing the North and East, in laying foundations, and other religious ceremonies. The Hindu compass was an iron fish that floated in a vessel of oil and pointed to the North. The fact of this older Hindu compass seems placed beyond doubt by the Sanskrit word Maccha Yantra, or fish machine, which Molesworth gives as a name for the mariner's compass
The author said Venetian trader and explorer Marco Polo, as early as 13th century, had recounted that ships in India had double boards which were joined together with strong nail and crevices, filled with special kind of gum and were so huge that 300 boatmen were needed to row them. These vessels could take a load of 3000 to 4000 gunny bags having small rooms and arrangements for comfort. Additional layers were added to the bottom, when it gets damaged. Some ships had as many as six layers, the book says. In the 15th century another traveller Nicolo Conti found Indian ships were much bigger than their own ships and their bases were made of three boards to weather formidable storms. Some ships were built in a such a manner that if one part was damaged, the rest could substitute for it. Another traveller Berthma had written how wooden boards were joined to prevent even a drop of water seeping into the ship and that it would take eight days to come to Iran from Cape Comorin (Kanyakumari), the book records. [4]
All these evidences clearly point to the fact that the science of Navigation and Ship Building progressed in India thousands of years ago and made maritime trade possible. Indians pioneered the science of Navigation that has helped develop modern trade and transport activities by sea. India was noted as a nation with high knowledge of navigation, ship construction, and accurate knowledge of the seas. Somehow as history was passed down the generation we have forgot the prestige and glory of our ancestors.
Indian navigators probably may not have sailed the seas to discover unknown lands. Instead they perfected the art of navigation and used it as a means to create long running trade routes to Europe and other western countries. As stated above by various historians, the Indian Navigational techniques where far ahead of Europeans and seemed to bear high levels of knowledge in the field of seafaring.
Let us strive forward to bring back the same glory that our nation held years back by our ancestors.
And like our Father of Indian Space Program, Vikram Sarabhai has noted:
All these evidences clearly point to the fact that the science of Navigation and Ship Building progressed in India thousands of years ago and made maritime trade possible. Indians pioneered the science of Navigation that has helped develop modern trade and transport activities by sea. India was noted as a nation with high knowledge of navigation, ship construction, and accurate knowledge of the seas. Somehow as history was passed down the generation we have forgot the prestige and glory of our ancestors.
Indian navigators probably may not have sailed the seas to discover unknown lands. Instead they perfected the art of navigation and used it as a means to create long running trade routes to Europe and other western countries. As stated above by various historians, the Indian Navigational techniques where far ahead of Europeans and seemed to bear high levels of knowledge in the field of seafaring.
Let us strive forward to bring back the same glory that our nation held years back by our ancestors.
And like our Father of Indian Space Program, Vikram Sarabhai has noted:
We must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.
Our ancestral qualities of sharp learning and high levels of research technology lies withing us dormant. Let us rise and rebuild out nation back to its original glory....
References
[1] www.crystalinks.com/indiaships.html
[2] www.hinduwisdom.info/Seafaring_in_Ancient_India.htm
[3] www.bharatuntoldstory.tumblr.com/post/56402346361/ancient-india-and-navigation
[4] www.thegreaterindia.blogspot.in/2013/08/ship-building-navigation-in-ancient.html
[2] www.hinduwisdom.info/Seafaring_in_Ancient_India.htm
[3] www.bharatuntoldstory.tumblr.com/post/56402346361/ancient-india-and-navigation
[4] www.thegreaterindia.blogspot.in/2013/08/ship-building-navigation-in-ancient.html