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First published in 2011,
Maritime Heritage of Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands offers an in-depth exploration of the maritime traditions and cultural legacy of these small coral islands, located approximately 250-300 kilometres west of Kerala's coast. Of the numerous islands, only ten have been inhabited since medieval times, preserving their unique traditions, boat designs, and way of life. The islands are surrounded by shallow lagoons and reef edges, with landscapes dominated by palm trees. The southernmost island of Minicoy stands apart geographically from the rest of the group.
The islanders have exceptional seafaring skills and connections to both the eastern and western coasts of India. While their heritage is predominantly local, it also incorporates influences from the mainland, enabling them to resist external forces such as the Siddi and European trading powers for over 150 years. The book delves into the distinctive boat forms, limited in size and draught due to the shallow lagoon depths, and examines how the islands' insularity has helped preserve their age-old traditions. This book is ideal for maritime historians, anthropologists, cultural heritage enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the unique traditions of island communities. It will also appeal to scholars studying the intersection of geography, history, and culture, as well as readers fascinated by the maritime history of India and the Indian Ocean region.
List of contents
About Maritime History Society 1. Maritime Heritage of Lakshadweep and Minicoy Islands 2. Lakshadweep - Environment and Society 3. Knowledge of Nautical Instrumentation 4. Islanders' Navigational Concepts 5. Navigation Applications 6. Ethnology of Lakshadweep Boats 7. Technology of Assembling of Boats, Rigs and Sails 8. Epilogue
About the author
Professor B. Arunachalam will be fondly remembered for his scholarly contributions to Indian Geography, especially in the field of Geomorphology and Cartography and for opening new vistas of academic collaboration and research in the professional field of history of Indian navigation.
About Maritime History Society:The Maritime History Society (MHS), an academic initiative of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy was established on 12 May 1978 by the late Vice Admiral MP Awati with a vision to promote the study of India's maritime history. MHS has grown into a leading research organisation dedicated to exploring the country's rich maritime heritage and naval legacy. As part of its academic mission, MHS undertakes a wide range of activities including publication of scholarly books, hosting seminars, lectures, workshops and curating maritime-themed museums, exhibitions and heritage projects including the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, Gujarat. The Society also maintains a well- curated gallery with over 2,000 artefacts, a reference library and digital presence featuring blogs and display of artefacts. Its collaboration with Talyor and Francis under the Routledge Revival series further extends its educational outreach. We hope that these publications will inspire a new generation of researchers and scholars, contributing to a deeper understanding of India's rich maritime past and naval legacy.
