Ancient Indian Marine and Naval Activity

02-23-2001, 02:24 PM

Dr. Vijay Bedekar
Indian Marine Archaeology and its Historical Context

Dr. Vijay Bedekar is a medical doctor by profession and an indologist
by choice. He runs the Institute for Oriental Study, Thane, Mumbai,
India. The Institute organised the Second International Conference on
"Marine Archaeology", on 8th - 10th January 1999. The following is an
extract from Dr. Bedekar's Introductory Speech at this Conference.
The speech effectively demonstrates how Indian Marine and ship-
building technology was systematically destroyed by the colonial
powers and thoroughly misrepresented by missionary scholars, who have
always attempted to destroy our self-confidence and self-respect for
our own Hindu culture. It is time for Hindu society to rise and
realise the truths that are being revealed. Truth cannot be concealed
for all time. We do not live only by our past, but we can and we
should derive inspiration from our past and also avoid mistakes of
the past. Interpretative History is an important subject for survival
and for marching foward.

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India has a coastline of about 6300 kms. Extensive new
archaeological, epigraphical, sculptural and literary material has
been added to our knowledge since the early decades of this century.
Radha Kumud Mookerji's Book Indian Shipping - A History of the Sea-
Borne Trade and Marine Activity of The Indians From The Earliest
Times published in 1912 (Oreint Longmans) is the most comprehensive
study of Indian Navigation up to that period. We now know that many
ports on both Eastern and Western Coast had navigational and trade
links with almost all Continents of the world. There are many natural
and technological reasons for this. Apart from Mathematics and
Astronomy, India had excellent manufacturing skills in textile, metal
works and paints. India had abundant supply of Timber. Indian - built
ships were superior as they were built of Teak which resists the
effect of salt water and weather for a very long time. Lieut. Col. A
Walker's paper "Considerations of the affairs of India" written in
1811 had excellent remarks on Bombay-built ships. He notes, "situated
as she is between the forests of Malabar and Gujarat, she receives
supplies of timber with every wind that blows." Further he says, "it
is calculated that every ship in the Navy of Great Britain is renewed
every twelve years. It is well known that teakwood built ships last
fifty years and upwards. Many ships Bombay-built after running
fourteen or fifteen years have been brought into the Navy and were
considered as stronger as ever. The Sir Edward Hughes performed, I
believe, eight voyages as an Indiaman before she was purchased for
the Navy. No Europe-built Indiaman is capable of going more than six
voyages with safety."

He has also further noted that Bombay-built ships are at least one-
fourth cheaper than those built in the docks of England. F.Balazar
Solvyns, a Frenchman, wrote a book titled "Les Hindous" in 1811. His
remarks are, "In ancient times, the Indians excelled in the art of
constructing vessels, and the present Hindus can in this respect
still offer models to Europe-so much so that the English, attentive
to everything which relates to naval architecture, have borrowed from
the Hindus many improvement which they have adopted with success to
their own shipping.... The Indian vessels unite elegance and utility
and are models of patience and fine workmanship."

Surprisingly, many earlier western traders and travellers have
expressed the same views. Madapollum was a flourishing shipping
centre. Thomas Bowrey, an English traveller who visited India during
1669-79, observes, " many English merchants and others have their
ships and vessels yearly built (at Madapollum). Here is the best and
well grown timber in sufficient plenty, the best iron upon the coast,
any sort of ironwork is ingeniously performed by the natives, as
spikes, bolts, anchors, and the like. Very expert master-builders
there are several here, they build very well, and launch with as much
discretion as I have seen in any part of the world. They have an
excellent way of making shrouds, stays, or any other rigging for
ships".

A Venetian traveller of 16th Century Cesare de Fedrici, while
commenting on the East Coast of India has noted that there is an
abundance of material for ship building in this area and many Sultans
of Constantinople found it cheaper to have their vessels built in
India than at Alexandria. Nicol Conti who visited India in 15th
century was impressed by the quality Indians had achieved in ship
building. He observes, " The nations of India build some ships larger
than ours, capable of containing 2,000 butts, and with five sails and
as many masts. The lower part is constructed with triple planks, in
order to withstand the force of the tempests to which they are much
exposed. But some ships are so built in compartments that should one
part be shattered, the other portion remaining entire may accomplish
the voyage."

Friar Odoric, an Italian Monk who visited India in 14th Century, in
his account of his voyage across the Indian Ocean, a mention is made
of ships which can carry 700 people. Marco Polo, a famous Venetian
traveller who visited India in 13th Century also visited Thane Port.
The first chapter of his book which deals with India is almost
devoted to shipbuilding industry in India. The story of Indian Teak
goes back to at least 3000 years BC A piece of Indian teak is found
in the ruins of Mugheir, and we know that ancient Ur of the Chaldeas
ruled not less than 3000 years BC. We have hard evidence now that
India had satisfactory shipbuilding and sea trade activity in inland
waters and with the outer world. This was possible because of her
natural resources and technological skills. Indians travelled in
large numbers to different continents for trade and commerce and many
settled there. There is no evidence of any kind to suggest that their
religious beliefs came in the way of their shipbuilding or travelling
and settling to distant lands or trade with other civilisations.

The story of Manu prohibiting sea travel is obviously falsified and
exaggerated. If Manu has verses related to this prohibiting sea
travel, he also has verses commenting on navigational activities. And
one must remember that these stories are told again and again by
Indologist and Sanskritists having a missionary background. If Indian
ship industry is destroyed it is not by Manu but by our colonial
masters, the Britishers. Upto 17th Century India practically had more
exports to Europe than what she was receiving from Europe. Indian
goods were more competitive and good in quality. In the late 18th
Century there was a strong demand in England to put restrictions on
Indian goods and especially goods which were carried by Indian ships.
The famous Act of navigation of 1651, speaks volumes in this regards.
It says, " no goods whatever of the growth, produce or manufacture of
Asia, Africaor America should be imported into England or Ireland or
any of the plantations, except directly in ships belonging to English
subjects, of which the Master and the greater number of the crew were
Englishmen."

As if these earlier measures were not enough more drastic measures to
discourage shipbuilding in India were undertaken. Calcutta Gazette
(Supplementary) of 29th January 1789 carried the following
notification :

Fort William, Revenue Department, January 14, 1789.

Notice is hereby given that all persons whosoever (the Magistrates of
the Districts excepted) are prohibited from making use of , or
constructing boats of following denominations and dimensions after
1st March next :

Luekhas 40 to 90 covids length 2 to 4 covids breadth

Jelkias 30 to 70 covids length 3 to 5 covids breadth.

Paunchways of Chandpore carrying more than 10 oars.

That the Magistrates of Jessore, Dacca, Jahalpore, Mymensingh,
Chittagong, the 24 parganas, Higelee, Tumlook, Burdwan and Nuddea
have been directed to seize and confiscate all boats of the above
descriptions which may be found within the limits of their respective
jurisdiction after the period above mentioned.
That any Zamindar allowing any boats of the foregoing descriptions to
be built or repaired within the limits of his Zamindary (unless by a
written order of the Magistrate of the District) shall forfeit to
Government the village in which such boats shall be proved to have
been so built or repaired.
That any carpenter, blacksmith or other artificer engaging for or
employed in the building or repairing of boats of the descriptions
above specified (unless by the express permission of the Magistrate
of the District) shall be committed to close imprisonment in the
'foujdari' jail for any period not above one month, or suffer
corporal punishment not exceeding 20 strokes with a rattan.

" Published by Order of the Governor-General in Council."

Last but not the least, the American National Anthem was composed on
the decks of the ship MINDEN. This ship was built in Bombay.

We have scholars today here who are exclusively working on this
branch of history. I am sure the deliberations of this conference
would throw light on many dark corners of Indian History and we will
be richer in our knowledge by the end of the day.

A special thanks to Mr. G.C. Asnani for forwarding this article to
Sword Of Truth Organization