INHS Asvini: The Cutting Edge of Medical Sciences

Posted on October 7, 2022October 7, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Ms Bhavyashree GNS, Research Intern, Maritime History Society

The oldest Command Hospital of the Indian Navy, Indian Naval Hospital Ship (INHS) Asvini derives its name from the Vedic deities Asvins or Asvin Kumaras, also known as the horse twins who were proficient in the knowledge of health, medicine, and science. In the Rig Veda, the Asvins are depicted as guardian deities who tend to the ailments of people by ensuring their safety, further coming to aid in the time of need. Located in Navy Nagar, Colaba, INHS Asvini was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 September 1951. Even though it has only been 71 years since its establishment, the facility has a remarkable history of over 250 years. Continue reading “INHS Asvini: The Cutting Edge of Medical Sciences” →

Reminiscing the Past: INS Khukri

Posted on August 23, 2022August 23, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Ms Maitre Shah, Research Intern, Maritime History Society

Introduction

In the Indo-Pak War of 1971, at the naval frontiers many warships played important roles, INS Khukri (F149) being one of them. INS Khukri was attacked and sunk during the war. To commemorate its valour, a Khukri class corvette was commissioned in the same name. 23 August 2022 marks the 33^rdcommissioning anniversary of the Indian Naval Ship INS Khukri (P49). On this day, let us revisit the past and reminisce the journey of both the majestic vessels. Continue reading “Reminiscing the Past: INS Khukri” →

Vanguard of the Skies and the Seas: INAS 300

Posted on July 7, 2022July 6, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Ms Sadaf Khan, Archive and Collection Associate, Maritime History Society

Leading Fighter Air Squadron of the Indian Navy, the White Tigers was commissioned on 07 July 1960 by Mrs. Vijayalakshmi Pandit, the then High Commissioner of India in Brawdy, Whales UK. During the commissioning ceremony Mrs. Pandit gave the Squadron its Crest- ‘White Tiger of Rewa’. With nine gallantry awards and unaccountable achievements in many major operations, White Tigers is one of the only squadrons to have operated in all three fighter aircrafts of the Indian Navy, the Sea Hawks, Sea Harrier and MiG-29K; and from all three Aircraft Carrier Ships I.e. INS Vikrant (R11), INS Viraat (R22) and INS Vikramaditya. Continue reading “Vanguard of the Skies and the Seas: INAS 300” →

Enduring legacy of INS Kunjali

Posted on July 1, 2022July 1, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Amruta Talawadekar, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

At the very end of the Navy Nagar in Colaba, Mumbai is a naval establishment that overlooks the southern tip of Mumbai called INS Kunjali. INS Kunjali is the naval base set up to administer the Regulating School of the Navy, the School of Music, the Provost Headquarters of the Navy at Mumbai, the IN-Detention Quarters, and the Indian Naval Band. 01 Jul 1954 marks the 68^th commissioning anniversary of the Indian Naval base INS Kunjali. On this day let us revisit the saga of its meritorious service. Continue reading “Enduring legacy of INS Kunjali” →

Spirit of Adventure at Sea

Posted on May 19, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Ms Janhavi Lokegaonkar, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

It has been a little over 500 years completion of the first-ever circumnavigation under sail undertaken by Magellan. While he succumbed to death before the completion of his historic voyage, it was eventually concluded by Juan Sebastian Elcano. While this pioneering attempt is hailed for the sheer enormity of the vision, the changes in Indian maritime perspective towards the spirit of adventure also deserves an equal applause. Continue reading “Spirit of Adventure at Sea” →

Importance of INS Dweeprakshak: India’s Naval Sentinel

Posted on April 30, 2022April 30, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Swapna Nair, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

Many islands in the Indian Ocean and Pacific were the appendages of the imperialist metropolises in the days of colonial expansion. And Lakshadweep, located on a centuries-old trade route that connected South India to West Asia and Europe, had to curl up with the vestiges of the ‘global dynamics’ of the European colonial powers. Continue reading “Importance of INS Dweeprakshak: India’s Naval Sentinel” →

INS Vidyut – A Saga of Courage & Fortitude

Posted on April 19, 2022April 19, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Janhavi Lokegaonkar, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

The ‘Killer’ Squadron of the Indian Navy is a proud inheritor of a rich legacy, laced with exploits of valour, grit and ingenuity of the highest order. The exploits of the squadron on the fateful nights of 04 and 08 December 1971, not only created the legend of the Killers but also a distinct Killer ethos and identity, which survives to this date.

Continue reading “INS Vidyut – A Saga of Courage & Fortitude” →

India’s North Eastern Maritime Connect

Posted on April 14, 2022April 14, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Janhavi Lokegaonkar, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

Our Indian historical narratives have references of heroes and legends of the maritime domain. The names of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre, Rajendra Chola of the Chola dynasty, Rani Abbakka, Marthanda Verma etc. are fairly prominent. But, in our academic narratives and curriculum, the history of North-East India remains under-explored in terms of its outreach pan-India. Similarly, when the maritime domain is discussed, our attention is immediately diverted to the western, southern and eastern coastal frontiers. But, the riverine frontiers in the north go amiss. A prominent study of this region in terms of its history, geography and culture is binding, more so, due to the military engagements in recent times. Continue reading “India’s North Eastern Maritime Connect” →

Sentinels of the Deep: INS Karanj

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Janhavi Lokegaonkar

By Janhavi Lokegaonkar, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

The efficacy of submarines as a potent military machine was established during the Second World War. Since then, the advancement of these submersible combat vessels have earned them the sobriquet of ‘silent killers of the deep’. They are valued for their relative undetectability underwater and capability to sneak up and destroy a much stronger warships using lethal torpedoes or anti-ship missiles. This gives them the badge of being one of the best deterrents that any navy can possess. The Indian Navy inducted its first submarines in 1967, which were the Foxtrot-class submarines from the erstwhile Soviet Union. Today, the Indian Navy submarine arm has come a long way progressing towards indigenous construction and demonstrating India’s technological prowess. Continue reading “Sentinels of the Deep: INS Karanj” →

Anti-Piracy Operation Of Lakshadweep Islands

Posted on January 27, 2022February 24, 2022 by mhsadmin

By Swapna Nair, Senior Research Associate, Maritime History Society

INTRODUCTION

Piracy has been widely romanticized by writers and filmmakers, and many people often harbor visions of bearded rebels sailing seas of endless blue, something close to a maritime “Robin Hood’ of sorts. In truth, modern-day piracy (in whatever form) is a violent, bloody, and ruthless practice.[1] Pirates steal, mangle and even kill. In addition, the fearsome captivity of victims for ransom is yet another sombre act. Although maritime piracy is a historical phenomenon, it has reemerged in recent years off the coast of Somalia, in the Gulf of Guinea, and in the international straits of Indonesia.[2] Global acts of piracy rose quickly on the coast of Somalia from 2008 to 2011 and steadily grew off the east coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, among other places.[3] Somali piracy appears to be on the decline, in large mainly because of the effectiveness of international efforts to combat piracy, however, global piracy continues to challenge the international shipping and trade industry, coastal states, and seafarers worldwide.

Continue reading “Anti-Piracy Operation Of Lakshadweep Islands” →