Attached is painting of a 3-mast sail ship on wall of Ajanta Cave No 2. While researchers dated this painting 2 around 1700 years back, it is actually much older if we take into account real chronological history of India. What is the antiquity of naval history of India? #Thread1 
The history of Indian maritime dates back to 1000s of years, as early as pre-Rigveda period. The Rigveda finds mention of Varun, the God of water and the celestial ocean, as having knowledge of sea routes. Sanskrit terminologies like Navadhyaksha, Nava Dvipantaragamanam, #Thread2
Samudrasamyanam, Matsya Yantra, etc. that find mention in ancient manuscripts refer to the existence of sea routes, ships, exploration, sea warfare, navigation, and sea trade in ancient times.
Historical records corroborate the stationing of naval forces by the Mauryas, #Thread3
Historical records corroborate the stationing of naval forces by the Mauryas, #Thread3
Guptas, Palas, Cholas, Satvahanas, Vijayanagara, and more in the Indian waters.
Excavations at Lothal in coastal Gujarat in present Mangrol harbour substantiate the historicity of the port area dating back to 2300 BC corresponding to the Indus Valley Civilization. #Thread4
Excavations at Lothal in coastal Gujarat in present Mangrol harbour substantiate the historicity of the port area dating back to 2300 BC corresponding to the Indus Valley Civilization. #Thread4
Chandragupta Maurya’s Prime Minister Kautilya (Chanakya) in his book Arthashastra wrote about ocean waterways.
Vijaya of Bengal defeated the Ceylonese and established his kingdom in Ceylon. The Pala Navy kept strong guard in the coastal areas along the Bay of Bengal. #Thread5
Vijaya of Bengal defeated the Ceylonese and established his kingdom in Ceylon. The Pala Navy kept strong guard in the coastal areas along the Bay of Bengal. #Thread5
Chandraketugarh, which was part of the Gangaridai kingdom, (presently called Kolkata) was a port city. Gangaridai finds mention in accounts by Ptolemy, a Greco Roman geographer, astronomer, and mathematician from the second century CE. #Thread6
In south, Chola Navy had a robust naval base in Indian waters. They led sev naval expeditions incl conquest of Indonesia (Sri Vijaya) n Ceylon islands. It was under Rajaraja Chola I and his son Rajendra Chola I, that Cholas expanded territories with robust naval base. #Thread7
Raja Marthanda Varma of Travancore badly defeated a robust Dutch army in a naval battle at Colachel in 1741.
Marathas under Shivaji created several naval bases in the Indian waters. His naval forces attacked English, Dutch n Portuguese ships n captured British vessels. #Thread8
Marathas under Shivaji created several naval bases in the Indian waters. His naval forces attacked English, Dutch n Portuguese ships n captured British vessels. #Thread8
Shivaji’s naval fleet had around 700 vessels of various sizes capacities. Kanhoji Angre led sev victorious exploits frm 1698-1729; defeated British, Dutch and Portuguese in the Indian waters many times. He was termed 'PIRATE' by Europeans; such was the terror he created! #Thread9
In the northeastern/eastern parts of India, there have been sev instances of river naval battles. It was a strong river naval base along Brahmaputra that led Ahom commander Lachit Borphukan of Assam decimate Aurangzeb's Mughal forces in 1671 in the Battle of Saraighat. #Thread10
Before this another naval battle was fought in Assam between Ahoms n Bengal Sultanate in 1533. Tonkham Borpatra Gohain, Ahom general badly defeated Afghan forces killing Islamic commander Turbak Khan. Battle took place at Duimunisila along banks of mighty Bharali River. #Thread11
Exploits of Tonkham Borpatra Gohain is described in #SaffronSwords (amazon.in/Saffron-Swords…). Rudranarayan of Bhurishrestha Bengal frm 16th century stationed strong naval force along Damodar n Ron river banks. Such is India's glorious naval history.
- Manoshi Sinha.
#Thread12
- Manoshi Sinha.
#Thread12
