Scholars Rally to Shape Intellectual Roadmap for National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Posted On: 21 MAR 2025 8:14PM by PIB Delhi

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Shri Sarbananda Sonowal chaired an important seminar on the upcoming National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) here today. Sonowal hailed this initiative as a sincere attempt to build the intellectual ‘quoin of ancient India’s sea faring legacy’.

The seminar was graced by scholars of top repute including Padma Vibhushan awardee Sonal Mansingh, Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Padma Subrahmanyam, N Ravi Kiran, Prof Neerja Gupta, Ratish Nanda, Prof Sushmita Sen, Dr Jeevan Kharakwal, Raghujiraje Shahajiraje Angre, Abhay Kumar Singh among others who shared insights on various aspects of maritime heritage, archaeology and historical trade relations. The Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the seminar, reaffirming the government’s dedication to develop the NMHC as a world-class hub for maritime research, cultural exchange, and heritage tourism.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India’s maritime history stands as a powerful symbol of our nation’s resilience, ingenuity, and rich cultural exchanges with the world. The NMHC at Lothal is envisioned as a lighthouse of knowledge —dedicated to safeguarding this remarkable legacy while inspiring future generations to unlock new opportunities in the maritime sector. While we set the tone for the NMHC with the rich intellectual capital of India, we remain in sync with PM Modi’s Vision of ‘Vikas Bhi, Viraat Bhi’ as NMHC at Lothal will showcase India’s Maritime Legacy.”
The core session of the seminar brought together a distinguished panel of eminent experts, including leading scholars, historians, archaeologists, and academicians, who delivered insightful presentations and engaged in in-depth discussions. The deliberations covered a wide array of topics, such as ancient Indian navigation, naval architecture, and shipbuilding techniques. Experts also explored India’s historical maritime trade networks with Greco-Roman civilisations and Southeast Asia, as well as the significant role of social and cultural practices in shaping maritime heritage.

Shri Sanjeev Sanyal, Member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, addressed the audience, highlighting the profound historical and economic importance of India’s maritime heritage. Shri Sanyal underscored the necessity of interdisciplinary research to further bolster the NMHC initiative.

Discussions further delved into the influence of religious traditions, folklore, and art on India’s seafaring legacy, along with the evolution of maritime defence strategies, notably the rise of Maratha naval power. Additionally, the session highlighted the critical role of conservation architecture and museum studies in safeguarding maritime artefacts. Scholars also presented research on linguistic, literary, and epigraphic evidence related to India’s coastal regions and maritime inscriptions, underlining the depth and diversity of India’s ancient maritime traditions.
Delivering the closing remarks, the Secretary (MoPSW), Shri T.K. Ramachandran delivered a comprehensive summary of the seminar’s key discussions, emphasising the vital role of sustained collaboration with international institutions, maritime experts, and cultural organisations to broaden the NMHC’s impact and reach.

The seminar reinforced the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways’ commitment to developing the NMHC into a world-class maritime heritage centre—promoting research, education, and cultural exchange, while preserving India’s rich seafaring legacy for generations to come. This landmark event brought together a distinguished panel of subject matter experts, historians, archaeologists, and maritime scholars to deliberate on key aspects of India’s rich maritime legacy and the development of NMHC as a world-class heritage complex.

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GDH/HR

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