The earliest known reference to an organisation devoted to ships in ancient India is to the Mauryan

Empire from the fourth century BCE. Emperor Chandragupta Maurya's Prime
Minister Kautilya's Arthashastradevotes a full chapter on the state department of waterways
undernavadhyaksha (Sanskrit for Superintendent of ships) [3]. 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 Sanskrit text, Baudhayana Dharmasastra as the interpretation of
the term,Samudrasamyanam.
Sea lanes between India and neighbouring 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 Chola dynasty, Maurya Empire, Satavahana, Gupta
Empire, Pala, Pandya, Vijayanagara Empire, Kalinga, Mughal and Maratha
Empireempires.[13] Particularly the Chola dynasty had a powerful navy which conquered parts
of Maritime Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka in the 11th century during the reign of Raja Raja Chola
I, Rajendra Chola I and Kulothunga Chola I.[14][15] The Palas and the Cholas excelled in foreign trade
and maritime activity, extending their influence overseas to China and Southeast Asia.
The Maratha naval power dominated the military scene in India for three centuries.[16] During the 17th
and 18th centuries, the Maratha and Kerala fleets were expanded, and became the most powerful
Naval Forces in the subcontinent, defeating European Navies at various times (See the Battle of
Colachel). The fleet review of the Maratha navy took place at the Ratnagiri fort in which the ships
Gurabs, Galbat, Pal & small ships called as "Sangmeshwari" participated. The 'Pal' was a three
masted fighter with guns peeping on the broadsides.[17] Kanhoji Angre and Kunjali Marakkar, the
Naval chief of Saamoothiri, were two notable naval chiefs of the period.

1612 origins to independence[edit]

Main article: Royal Indian Navy
In 1612, the English East India Company established the East India Company's Marine to protect its
merchant shipping off the Gulf of Cambay and up the Narmadaand Tapti rivers. Its first fighting ships
in India were acquired on 5 September 1612. This force evolved into Her Majesty's Indian Navy in
1830, while most of India was under British rule. The force at this time had British officers and Indian
sailors. The Navy saw action in the First Opium War of 1840 and in the Second Anglo-Burmese
War in 1852. During World War I, the force then known as the Royal Indian Marine undertook
minesweeping, as well as supply and support operations for the Allies.
Sub Lieutenant D. N. Mukherji was the first Indian to be granted a commission as an engineer officer
in 1928. In 1934, the navy was renamed as the Royal Indian Navy (RIN).
The onset of World War II led to an expansion in numbers of vessels and personnel. The navy was
actively involved in operations during the war around the world.
Its sloops HMIS Sutlej and HMIS Jumna played a key role in Operation Husky, the Allied invasion

of Sicily.[18] It was heavily involved in operations around the Indian Ocean, including convoy escorts,
mine-sweeping, supply, as well as supporting amphibious assaults. At the end of the war, the navy
underwent rapid, large-scale demobilisation of vessels and personnel. In 1946, Indian sailors started
the Royal Indian Navy mutiny, a rebellion influenced by activities of Indian National Army and postWWII political unrest in India on board ships and on shore establishments to protest discrimination
against Indian officers and sailors by the British and the putting on trial of ex-Indian National Army
soldiers and officers. A total of 78 ships, 20 shore establishments and 20,000 sailors were involved
in the rebellion, which spread all over India. This rebellion failed as the rebels did not receive support
from the political leaders. After the independence of India on 15 August 1947 and the
ensuing partition, the RIN's depleted fleet of ships and remaining personnel were divided between
the newly independent Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan.
When India became a republic on 26 January 1950, the Royal prefix was dropped and the
name Indian Navy was officially adopted. The prefix on her ships was changed to Indian Naval
Ship (INS).

Independence to the end of the 20th century[edit]

Main articles: 1961 Indian annexation of Goa and Indo-Pakistani wars and conflicts
During the early years following independence, the navy still had many British officers who continued
to serve with the Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Ram Dass Katariwas the first Indian to assume office as
the Chief of Staff of the Indian Navy on 22 April 1958. The first engagement in action of the Indian
Navy was against thePortuguese Navy during the liberation of Goa in 1961. Operation Vijay followed
years of escalating tension due to Portuguese refusal to relinquish its colonies in India. On 21
November 1961, Portuguese troops fired on the passenger liner Sabarmati near Anjadip Island,
killing one person and injuring another. During Operation Vijay, the Indian Navy supported troop
landings and provided fire support. INS Delhi (1948) sank one Portuguese patrol boat, while frigates
INS Betwa(1960) and INS Beas (1960) destroyed the Portuguese frigate NRP Afonso de
Albuquerque.[19] The 1962 Sino-Indian War was largely fought over the Himalayasand the Navy had
only a defensive role in the war.
Indian Naval activity in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 largely involved coastal patrols. During the
war, the Pakistani Navy attacked the Indian coastal city of Dwarka, although there were no military
resources in the area. While this attack was insignificant,[20] India deployed naval resources to patrol
the coast and deter further bombardment. Following these wars in the 1960s, India resolved to
strengthen the profile and capabilities of its Armed Forces.