Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. With 55,000 men and women, including 5,000 naval aviation personnel and 2,000 Marine Commandos (MARCOS), it is the world's fourth largest navy.[1] The Indian Navy currently operates more than 155 vessels, including the aircraft carrier INS Viraat. India uses its navy to enhance its international relations through joint exercises, port visits, and humanitarian missions, including disaster relief. The Indian Navy is increasing its capabilities as a true blue-water navy the Indian Navy's doctrine states that this is for the collective good of nations.
The Indian Navy sees several principal roles for itself:
* In conjunction with other armed forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace;
* Project influence in India's maritime area of interest, to further the nation’s political, economic and security objectives;
* In cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard, ensure good order and stability in India's maritime zones of responsibility.
* Provide maritime assistance (including disaster relief) in India's maritime neighbourhood.
* To play a key role as part of 'a pluralistic security order' for a better world
India has a maritime history dating back to 5,000 years.[6][7][8][9] The first [10][11] tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Indus Valley Civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda written around 1500 BCE, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions. There is reference to the side wings of a vessel called Plava, which give stability to the ship under storm conditions. A compass, Matsya yantra was used for navigation in the fourth and fifth century AD.[12]
Ancient Lothal as envisaged by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ancient Lothal as envisaged by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The earliest known reference to an organization devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan Empire from the 4th century BCE. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Prime Minister Kautilya's Arthashastra devotes a full chapter on the state department of waterways under navadhyaksha (Sanskrit for Superintendent of ships) [1]. The term, nava dvipantaragamanam (Sanskrit for sailing to other lands by ships, i.e. Exploration) appears in this book in addition to appearing in the Buddhist text, Baudhayana Dharmasastra as the interpretation of the term, Samudrasamyanam.
Sea lanes between India and neighboring lands were the usual form of trade for many centuries, and are responsible for the widespread influence of Indian Culture on other societies. Powerful navies included those of the Maurya, Satavahana, Chola, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Maratha and Moghul empires .[13] The Cholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and Southeast Asia.
The Indian Navy sees several principal roles for itself:
* In conjunction with other armed forces of the union, act to deter or defeat any threats or aggression against the territory, people or maritime interests of India, both in war and peace;
* Project influence in India's maritime area of interest, to further the nation’s political, economic and security objectives;
* In cooperation with the Indian Coast Guard, ensure good order and stability in India's maritime zones of responsibility.
* Provide maritime assistance (including disaster relief) in India's maritime neighbourhood.
* To play a key role as part of 'a pluralistic security order' for a better world
India has a maritime history dating back to 5,000 years.[6][7][8][9] The first [10][11] tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BCE during the Indus Valley Civilization, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. The Rig Veda written around 1500 BCE, credits Varuna with knowledge of the ocean routes and describes naval expeditions. There is reference to the side wings of a vessel called Plava, which give stability to the ship under storm conditions. A compass, Matsya yantra was used for navigation in the fourth and fifth century AD.[12]
Ancient Lothal as envisaged by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ancient Lothal as envisaged by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The earliest known reference to an organization devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan Empire from the 4th century BCE. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Prime Minister Kautilya's Arthashastra devotes a full chapter on the state department of waterways under navadhyaksha (Sanskrit for Superintendent of ships) [1]. The term, nava dvipantaragamanam (Sanskrit for sailing to other lands by ships, i.e. Exploration) appears in this book in addition to appearing in the Buddhist text, Baudhayana Dharmasastra as the interpretation of the term, Samudrasamyanam.
Sea lanes between India and neighboring lands were the usual form of trade for many centuries, and are responsible for the widespread influence of Indian Culture on other societies. Powerful navies included those of the Maurya, Satavahana, Chola, Vijayanagara, Kalinga, Maratha and Moghul empires .[13] The Cholas excelled in foreign trade and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and Southeast Asia.
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