First Navigation System in India
First Navigation System in India
Did you know that the very first navigation system in the world was invented 4000 years ago in India? If an Indian sailor hadn't helped Vasco-Da-Gama he would never arrived in India.
One can estimate the success of ancient Indian navigation that the English word navigation comes from the Sanskrit Navgat.
Man set out in search of new lands for food and water when human civilization was developing to cross the river and seas during their expeditions they started building wooden boats.
❖ Indus Valley Eagle Navigation:
If the eagles flew in a particularly direction the sailors know that the seashore would be in the directions. On the other hand if the eagles circled above the ship the sailors know there was no land in the vicinity. This civilization that spread from the Indus river to the Arabian sea.
❖ Indus Valley Water Knowledge:
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) had advanced knowledge of tide, hydraulics, and water locking.
● Tide: The IVC built a number of docks and embankments along the coasts of the Indus and Ghaggar-Hakra rivers. These structures suggest that they had a good understanding of how tides work and how to build structures that would withstand them.
● Hydraulics: The IVC also had a sophisticated understanding of hydraulics. They built a number of dams, canals, and reservoirs to manage the water supply for their cities and agricultural fields. These structures required a deep understanding of how water flows and how to control it.
● Water Locking: The IVC also used water locking to control the flow of water in their canals. Water locking is a technique that uses gates to control the flow of water into and out of a canal. This technique allowed the IVC to efficiently manage the water supply for their cities and agricultural fields.
The IVC's advanced knowledge of tide, hydraulics, and water locking is evidence of their sophisticated engineering skills. These skills allowed them to build a thriving civilization in a harsh environment.
❖ Indus Valley Dockyard History:
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) built the. world's first and largest ship- building dock around 2500 BCE at the city of Lothal, located on the coast of Gujarat, India.
The dock was a trapezoidal-shaped reservoir measuring approximately 214 x 36 meters (704 x 118 feet) and was enclosed by brick walls that were up to 3 meters (10 feet) high. The dock was connected to the sea by an inlet channel, and it is believed that ships could have been floated in and out of the dock at high tide. The dock also had a spillway that could be used to drain the water from the dock when it was not in use.
The discovery of the Lothal dock provides evidence of the IVC's sophisticated maritime technology and its extensive trade networks. The IVC traded with other civilizations in the region, including Mesopotamia and Egypt, and the dock would have played an important role in this trade. The dock would have also been used for fishing and other maritime activities.
The Lothal dock is a testament to the ingenuity and engineering skills of the IVC. It is a remarkable structure that is still being studied by archaeologists today.
❖ Rigveda Mentions Ships:
The Rigveda does mention ships. The word "nau" is used in the Rigveda to refer to both boats and ships. There are several hymns in the Rigveda that describe ships, including their construction, their use for travel and trade, and their role in religious rituals.
For example, in Rigveda hymn 1.116,
The god Indra is praised for rescuing the seafaring merchant Bhujyu from a shipwreck. The hymn describes Bhujyu's ship as being large and well-made, with a hundred oars. It also mentions that Bhujyu was carrying a cargo of pearls and other valuable goods when his ship was wrecked.
For example in Rigveda hymn 1.125,
The god Varuna is praised as the lord of the sea. The hymn describes Varuna as knowing all the ocean routes, and as being able to protect sailors from storms and shipwrecks. It also mentions that Varuna is worshipped by merchants who travel by sea.
The Rigveda's references to ships suggest that the Vedic people were familiar with maritime travel and trade. This is significant because it provides evidence of the Vedic people's contact with other cultures, and of their participation in the ancient world's trade networks.
It is important to note that the Rigveda is a very old text. His was composed between 1500 and 1200 BCE, and that our understanding of its meaning is still evolving. It is possible that the Rigveda's references to ships are not as straightforward as they seem. For example, it is possible that the word "nau" was not always used to refer to a physical object, but could also have been used as a metaphor for something else, such as the soul or the mind.
❖ Navigating by North Star:
Indian sailors have used stars for navigation for centuries. The North Star, also known as Polaris, is the most important star for navigation in the Northern Hemisphere. It is located directly above the North Pole, so it always points north. Sailors can use the North Star to find their way by taking a bearing, which is the angle between the North Star and the horizon.
Other stars that are commonly used for navigation include the Southern Cross, which is visible in the Southern Hemisphere, and the Big Dipper, which is visible in both hemispheres. Sailors can also use the sun and moon for navigation, but the stars are more reliable because they do not move as much.
Celestial navigation is still a valuable skill for sailors, even in the age of GPS. GPS can be unreliable in areas with poor reception, such as the middle of the ocean. Celestial navigation can also be used to verify the accuracy of GPS readings.
In addition to using stars for navigation, Indian sailors have also developed a number of other traditional navigation techniques, such as reading the wind, waves, and currents. These techniques are still used by some sailors today, even though they are not as common as they once were.
❖ Limitations of Celestial Navigation:
Indian sailors have used the stars for navigation for centuries. However, there are some limitations to this system.
🔸Cloudy Nights: On cloudy nights, the stars are not visible, making it impossible to navigate by them.
🔸Polar Night: In the polar regions, the sun does not set for months at a time, so it is impossible to use the stars to determine direction.
🔸Seasonal Changes: The position of the stars changes throughout the year, so sailors need to be familiar with the constellations for each season.
🔸Refraction: The atmosphere bends light, so the apparent position of the stars is not always the same as their true position. This can make it difficult to navigate accurately.
🔸Parallax: Parallax is the apparent shift in the position of an object when viewed from different positions. This can also make it difficult to navigate accurate using the stars.
Despite these limitations, the stars have been a valuable tool for navigation for centuries. With careful observation and knowledge of the constellations, Indian sailors were able to sail long distances across the open ocean.
Star's and Navigation Limitations:
In addition to the limitations mentioned above, there are other factors that can affect the accuracy of navigation using the stars. These include:
● The sailor's skill and experience: A skilled sailor will be able to more accurately identify the stars and use them to navigate.
● The quality of the nautical charts: Nautical charts are used to show the positions of landmasses, islands, and other features that can be used for navigation. A good nautical chart will be accurate and up-to-date.
● The weather conditions: Rough seas and strong winds can make it difficult to see the stars, and they can also make it difficult to maintain a steady course.
Despite these challenges, navigation using the stars is a valuable skill that can be used to travel long distances safely. With careful planning and execution, Indian sailors were able to use the stars to explore the world and make significant contributions to navigation and exploration.
❖ Indian Compass in History:
There is an ancient Indian text on sea travel that mentions the compass. It is called the Yuktikalpataru ("The Repository of Devices"), written by the 12th- century astronomer and mathematician Bhaskara II. In this text, Bhaskara describes a compass called the maghiyantra ("Magnetic Instrument"). He says that it is made of a piece of lodestone, which is a naturally magnetized rock, and that it can be used to find the north direction.
The Yuktikalpataru is not the earliest Indian text to mention the compass. There is a reference to a compass in the Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise that was written sometime between the 4th and 7th centuries CE. However, the Yuktikalpataru is the earliest Indian text to provide a detailed description of the compass and its use for navigation.
The compass was not invented in India. It is believed to have originated in China in the 11th or 12th century CE. However, the Yuktikalpataru shows that the Indians were quick to adopt this new technology and put it to use for seafaring.
The compass played a vital role in the development of Indian maritime trade and exploration. It allowed Indian sailors to venture further and further into the oceans, and to explore new lands. The compass also helped to improve the safety of sea travel, by making it easier to navigate in fog and darkness.
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❖ Monsoon Winds Expertise Odisha:
We believe that archaeological reports Indian sailors who travelled the Indian Ocean for trade used one more method.
Monsoon winds:
Greek sailor Hippalus from 1st century BCE is regarded as the discoverer of monsoon winds but sailors from Odisha were already expert's with this method. Sailors from Odisha would set sail for Indonesia, Java, and Sumatra at the onset of North East monsoon and return with the South West monsoon.
Indian sailors used monsoon winds for navigation system. The monsoon winds are seasonal winds that reverse direction twice a year. In the Indian Ocean, the northeast monsoon blows from October to March, and the southwest monsoon blows from June to September.
Indian sailors know about the monsoon winds and how to use them to navigate their ships. They would sail from India to Southeast Asia during the southwest monsoon, and then return to India during the northeast monsoon. This allowed them to travel long distances across the Indian Ocean without having to row or sail against the wind.
The use of monsoon winds for navigation was a major technological advancement that allowed Indian sailors to travel great distances and explore new lands. It also helped to stimulate trade and cultural exchange between India and other parts of Asia.
❖ Monsoon Winds for Navigation:
Here are some of the ways in which Indian sailors used monsoon winds for navigation:
◾They would track the movement of the monsoon winds by observing the stars and the sun.
◾They would use landmarks on land to help them navigate their ships.
◾They would use instruments such as the astrolabe and the compass to help them determine their position.
The use of monsoon winds for navigation was a complex and sophisticated system that required a deep understanding of the natural world. It is a testament to the ingenuity and skill of Indian sailors that they were able to develop and use this system so effectively.
❖ Chola Empire's Maritime Power:
The Chola Empire was a major maritime power in the Indian Ocean during the 9th to 13th centuries CE. They had a sophisticated understanding of sea navigation, which allowed them to undertake long-distance voyages and establish trading networks throughout the region.
● Astronomy: The Cholas used the positions of the sun, moon, and stars to determine their location and direction. They also developed a number of astronomical instruments, such as the gnomon and the armillary sphere, to help them with their navigation.
● Cartography: The Cholas created detailed maps of the Indian Ocean and the surrounding lands. These maps were used to plan voyages and to track the movement of ships.
● Hydrography: The Cholas had a good understanding of the tides, currents, and winds of the Indian Ocean. This knowledge was essential for safe navigation.
● Navigational Instruments: The Cholas used a variety of navigational instruments, such as the compass, the astrolabe, and the lead line. These instruments helped them to determine their location and direction, even in poor visibility.
The Cholas' scientific understanding of sea navigation was a major factor in their success as a maritime power. It allowed them to undertake long-distance voyages, establish trading networks, and project their power throughout the Indian Ocean region.
❖ Chola Maritime Achievements:
Here are some specific examples of the Cholas' maritime achievements:
● In the 10th century CE, Rajaraja Chola I launched a naval campaign that resulted in the conquest of Sri Lanka.
● In the 11th century CE, Rajendra I launched a naval campaign that resulted in the conquest of the Maldives and the Malabar Coast of India.
● The Cholas also established trading networks with countries as far away as China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
The Cholas' maritime achievements had a significant impact on the development of the Indian Ocean region. They helped to promote trade and cultural exchange, and they also helped to spread Indian influence throughout the region.
❖ Vasco Da Gama's Journey:
Vasco da Gama, the Portuguese explorer, initially lost his way and ended up in South Africa during his voyage in 1497. He eventually reached India with the help of an Indian trader who showed him the correct sea route, which was a significant milestone in the Age of Exploration.
❖ Conclusion :
While the world is dependent on apps such as Google maps for navigation. We should not forget that it was the ancient Indian sailors who discovered the art and science of navigation.
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