The expanse of the Indian coastline is as vast as its maritime narratives. These narratives help us to contextualize the past to the present for a better understanding of the future. Not only do these narratives give an identity to the society, but also imbibe a sense of correlation with our maritime past. The sea trade between the people of the Indian subcontinent with their maritime neighbours began around the 3rd millennium BCE. Over some time, these trade routes flourished and extended to countries like South East Asia, Arabia, and East Africa.

Our ancestors were well-versed in seafaring since ancient times. They compiled their experiences and knowledge gained at sea and passed it over generations. All these narratives form a nautical treasury of our maritime past. The records of seafaring range from foreign accounts such as ‘The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea’ to the ‘Malam-ni-Pothis’, records of Indian Kutchi seafarers.

These navigational records included very primitive methods of charting and tracking the course to sail. They additionally kept track of the tides, waves, colour of the sea, species of fishes found in the vicinity, and astronavigation.  Seafarers made extensive use of the monsoon winds for planning voyages, with Westward voyages undertaken during the North-East monsoon and Eastward voyages during the South-West monsoon. Indian seafarers had mapped many of the stars that could be used for navigation, though each community called them by different names. Ancient mariners used stars close to the horizon to steer a steady course for about 2 hours each during the rise and set.The Kutchi ready reckoner star compass made use of a total of 32 horizon stars that could be used for determining the azimuth, as well as for calculating other information such as the departure when travelling.

Figure 1Kutchi ready reckoner star compass

The Indian and Arab navigators measured and recorded the altitude of the Pole Star for various locations on the coast as well as the islands. The Chola navigators, however, relied upon the star Arundhati, in the Ursa Major constellation, because the Pole star was either too low on the horizon or too dim to be useful for navigation. Further, depth of the sea was estimated based on the discolouration of the sea, as well as the sounds the waves made while breaking on the coast or a shallow reef. But the most common method of measuring depth in the age of sail was using a hand lead and line, which is also used even today in certain circumstances.

With the introduction of satellites,navigating at sea has become much easier.But this also means that we are dependent on modern technology for navigation. Today, it is inconceivable to travel in unknown areas without a GPS unit, a PDA, or at least having directions from a reputable, updated map. In contrast, early explorers forged their way to uncharted waters and lands; courageously and with enhanced learned precision. Even though earlyexploration was often prompted withthe interest of earning profits, or for annexation of land, or even for enslaving people- the explorers used tools that were state-of-the-art for those times, though they may seem crude today.

The early Indian seamen accomplished navigation by using primitive charts and observations with celestial/stellar navigation, maps, landmarks and instruments to determine directions and navigate during their voyage. Due to the limited availability of records owing to varying local seamen's language and dialects on the three different coasts- it is difficult to trace the evolution of sea-chart on the Indian coast. These records contain a plethora of information on nautical wisdom, indicators and navigational aids that reflect the immense cumulative foresight of the Indian mariners.

There are references in history to show that the ancient Indians used the 'disa kaka'- birds that would help navigators to find land in case of uncertainty at sea. Such references give us a preliminary glimpse into demonstrable evidence of maritime techniques used in early India. The continuous interaction with other seamen, practical experience, field observations of the environment and seagoing abilities enhanced their maritime wisdom in a different manner.

Undoubtedly, India’s quintessential maritime character and vital geostrategic location are twin factors that have defined her growth as a nation and evolution as a cosmopolitan civilisation. As the resident maritime power in the Indian Ocean, the Indian Navy is increasingly seen as adependable partnerin maintaining the existing regional equilibrium. Given our strategic convergences, the US, Japan and the Australia consider the role of India to be critical in maintaining this equilibrium. Yet, the most crucial aspect of the role is developing robust interoperability and procedures with partner navies operating in the region. In addition, the growing international acceptance of the Indo-Pacific as a geopolitical construct has meant that Indian strategic interests also lies in the maintenance of the existing power equilibrium in the Pacific Ocean.

The term “maritime security” represents the broadest approach to issues and aspects which pertain to the sea and have a predominant bearing on the country's security. Maritime security is both multidimensional and multifaceted and involves traditional and non - traditional threats. The ocean is also a valuable source of fishing and mineral resources. And yet its governance and security are under constant threat of being undermined, whether by non-state actors such as pirates, smugglers, and terrorists or by furtive naval competition between states. History is witness to the fact that whenever India has neglected this vast body of water, it has lost its sovereignty, as was seen during the span of colonisation by the European powers.

The general concept of seas as a global phenomenon, was first introduced in the Mare liberum in the post-Westphalian world. Similarly, in the eastern hemisphere, something similar to the notion of 'free seas', was witnessed with the Chola conquest of Sri Vijaya. The history and nature of statehood in the region have been interrelated to how naval capabilities evolved. The early maritime contribution of the Cholas and Sri Vijaya reveals that the Indian sub-continent exercised supremacy over the Indian Ocean from very early times and strategically envisaged ‘Maritime Governance’ through various constituents. Accordingly, regaining of our ‘maritime eyesight’ has to become a national enterprise comprising management of security threats as well as technological, social-economic progress.

Figure 2Roman trade in the subcontinent according to the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, c, 1st century CE

It would be appropriate here to quote Founder MHS, Late Vice Admiral M P Awati (Retd), where he said “Here is this great metropolis of India, right by the sea, which has enriched itself by its huge trade across this same sea and yet today there is not a single institution, academic or otherwise, which celebrates the city's connection with the sea…”. Now there is a great resurgence in the field with independent researchers as well as organizations taking great interest in maritime matters. 

On similar lines, Maritime History Society is a premier research organization where all enthusiasts in maritime affairs can learn about the richness and diversity of Indian maritime history and heritage, MHS in its constant endeavours, aims to promote outreach activities through its research and educational programs. 

This year’s Annual conclave, which is being held on November 27, 2021, aims to cover the broad spectrum of ‘Early and Medieval Maritime History’. This conclave is conducted by MHS in academic collaboration with the School of National Security Studies of the Central University of Gujarat.

Figure 3Annual Maritime History Conclave 2021

The first session is coordinated by MHS. This session will be focused on ‘Indian Nautical Knowledge’. The theme has been chosen to bring to light, the not so widely known ancient Indian expertise in nautical navigation. A good example of this endeavor was the recent release of the Malam-Ni-Pothis, an MHS publication, which we did in collaboration with DarshakIthihas Nidhi. These were pre-modern Kutchi navigation diaries, which brings out the remarkable story of Kutchi seafaring across the centuries. The second session is coordinated by the School of National Security Studies, Center University of Gujarat and is focused on the theme, “Historical Narratives of the Maritime Security of India”. This session would examine the different dimensions of Indian maritime security, as seen through historical narratives. In this, we are looking to explore different subsets of our rich maritime history, which can give us meaningful touchstones to guide us into the future.

In between these two sessions there is an abridged session, where Rear Admiral RJ Nadkarni (Retd), would announce the winners for the Adm JG Nadkarni Memorial Essay Competition 2021 on the theme, ‘Monsoon in the Indian Ocean and its uses in Navigation’ as well as the short film making competition, ‘Kalasagar 2021’, on the theme, ‘Ocean and Community’.

The Annual Maritime History Conclave draws attention to India’s active maritime past and navigational routes for trade, commerce and connectivity and also focus on maritime governance and security in early and medieval Indian texts.  The conclave will be inaugurated by Vice Admiral R Harikumar Flag Officer Commander– in - Chief, Western Naval Command, Guest of HonourbyShri Hasmukh Shah, Chairman and Founder of Darshak Itihas Nidhi, while the keynote address will be delivered by Prof Rama Shanker Dubey, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Gujarat, Gandhinagar. Distinguished scholars from various walks of life will share perspectives from our maritime legacy and aim to place maritime consciousness at the central span of the Indian knowledge system.

Do join fellow citizens of Maritime India to witness the proceedings on the MHS YouTube Channel on November 27, 2021 starting at 11 am onwards!

Sea And Coast