Indian Navy Joins: Reviving Ancient Shipbuilding Technique

On Wednesday, officials announced that the Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy are collaborating to revive and preserve a 2000-year-old shipbuilding technique known as the ‘Tankai’ or “stitched shipbuilding method.” The ministry emphasized the importance of reviving this fading art to preserve cultural heritage for future generations. The MoU was signed on July 18, with the Indian Navy taking charge of the project’s implementation and execution, ensuring seamless project management and adherence to safety and precision standards. Their expertise will play a pivotal role in successfully reviving the ancient stitching method and constructing the stitched ship.

The technique of stitching wooden planks together instead of using nails holds significant cultural value in India due to its historical importance and preservation of traditional craftsmanship. Historically, these stitched ships played a vital role in trade, cultural exchange, and exploration, offering flexibility and durability, making them less susceptible to damage from shoals and sandbars.

Although European ships introduced different shipbuilding techniques, the art of stitching ships has survived in a few coastal regions of India, mainly for small local fishing boats.

The proposal to construct an ocean-going wooden stitched sail ship using this ancient Indian art is a commendable initiative, leveraging the expertise of remaining traditional shipwrights in India to showcase their exceptional craftsmanship. The project aims to sail along ancient maritime routes, using traditional navigational techniques to gain insights into historical interactions across the Indian Ocean, facilitating the flow of Indian culture, knowledge systems, traditions, technologies, and ideas.

The significance of the stitched ship project extends beyond its construction, aiming to revive maritime memory and instill a sense of pride in India’s rich maritime heritage among its citizens. Additionally, it seeks to promote cultural memories among the Indian Ocean littoral countries.

Thorough documentation and cataloguing of the project will ensure valuable information is preserved for future reference. This project not only represents a unique boat-building endeavor but also serves as a testament to India’s diverse cultural heritage and ancient seafaring traditions.