Amruta Talawadekar – Maritime History Society

Battle of Diu: Onset of Portuguese Dominance in the Indian Ocean

Posted on February 2, 2022February 24, 2022 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

India has a vast coastline, geographically gifted harbours and strategically located islands. Its prime position within the Indian Ocean Region made the subcontinent a crucial link between the east and west trade routes. As a result, it often invited intruders whose intentions changed from explorations to annexations leading to several battles. These battles lie in an inconspicuous corner of our history books. One of the battles that changed the course of India’s maritime history was the Battle of Diu that marked the beginning of European dominance in Indian waters.

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Suez Canal: The sea route to prosperity

Posted on March 26, 2021March 31, 2021 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate, Maritime History Society

Roadways are often blocked because of broken cars or irresponsible drivers who travel recklessly on the streets. While you are mentally prepared for such circumstances on the roadway, have you ever considered what would happen if such an incident happened on an ocean route? Before you think about it, it’s already in the papers. The Suez Canal has been blocked by the huge container ship ‘Evergiver’ according to recent news headlines. This brings us to ponder upon the Suez Canal’s significance, and the global ramifications of this incident.

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A surprise visit – Mumbai are you ready for it?

Posted on December 11, 2020December 16, 2020 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate, Maritime History Society

While the city of Mumbai woke up to experience slight drops of rain on a Friday morning, this December, the occurrence of rainfall in this odd season is not new to the city. Is this something the city should now be acquainted to? Let’s find out what caused these showers to occur at this oddly hour.

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Building a Reed Boat

Posted on October 19, 2020December 16, 2020 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate, Maritime History Society

Most of us have ferried across water in boats to a touristy destination. Most of these boats that we use are made out of wood or steel. Have you ever wondered what form of boats the habitants during the Indus Valley Civilisation used, almost 5000 years ago? The answer is a Reed Boat. Today if you want to see a reed boat in India, it will probably be only on the Maritime History Society’s logo which was designed by its founder Late VAdm MP Awati or you might have to travel all the way to Bolivia or Peru. Let’s explore how a Reed Boat is made.

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Ship breaking in India – An industry in itself

Posted on September 15, 2020December 16, 2020 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate, Maritime History Society

India, being a maritime country with water along its three sides, has always been associated with ships. Evidence of log made boats, dug outs, wooden massive vessels and advanced modern ships have been the glory of our history from the times of the Indus Valley Civilisation to the contemporary times. These vessels did play a major role in the cultural and material exchange to and from the country. While we are often fascinated about how a ship is built, little do we imagine about what happens to the ship after it is no longer deemed fit. Let’s talk about one of the largest ship breaking industries in the world – The Ship Breaking Industry of India.

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Mundra Port – History behind the largest container port in India

Posted on August 31, 2020December 16, 2020 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate, Maritime History Society

Being a maritime country with a vast coastline spread across its three sides, India has had a diverse history of thriving ports. From the ancient port town of Lothal during the Indus Valley Civilisation to the modern and recently approved Vadhavan port along the Konkan Coast of India, the ports of the Indian subcontinent have developed dramatically across time. Among the Indian states, Gujarat has been the maritime gateway to the world since ancient times. Being strategically located in the centre of the various maritime routes, Gujarat has been the link for East West trade since the Indus Valley Civilisation. With a number of blooming ports in its territory, Gujarat has been popular for yet another port – the Mundra Port. Let’s talk about the history behind the port that has emerged as the largest container port in India as of Jul 2020¹.

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The Maritime History of Mumbai’s names

Posted on August 2, 2020September 16, 2020 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate,Maritime History Society

‘Names of places form an important part of our history. They stand as memorials of men and events in the past. They throw light on the scenes and movements of former ages, and therefore cannot be neglected in our study of the development of our country.’

As rightly indicated by late Dr. Patterson in ‘Place – Names’, names of a place are crucial and are derived from various cultural roots that the place was once known for. Mumbai, for example, has had a variety of names attached to it, prior to its official name change in 1995. This article talks about the various names that Mumbai had and its relevance to the maritime history of the city.

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The Maritime Records

Posted on July 17, 2020September 16, 2020 by Amruta Talawadekar

By Amruta Talawadekar, Research Associate, Maritime History Society

Heritage is what has been passed on from one generation to another. It includes buildings, tradition, culture, practices etc. which possess values and are a treasure to us. India has had a rich maritime history since the prehistoric times. Although very little has been recorded during prehistoric times, the historic era gives an insight on the maritime richness that the subcontinent has inherited. Written and documented records are a vital proof of historicity which has led to an understanding of this vast knowledge and heritage without practically experiencing it. Through ages, written records, cartographic sketches, inscriptions and murals have helped discover a lot in the maritime field

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