India has a rich maritime heritage and the earliest reference to maritime activities is contained in the Rig Veda.
Evidence derived from Indian literature, art, sculptures, painting and archeology to establish the existence of Indian maritime traditions.
The Indian sub-continent exercised supremacy over the Indian Ocean from very early times up to the 13th century.
Indians took to the sea for trade and commerce rather than for political ends.
The 16th century witnessed peaceful sea-borne commerce, cultural and traditional exchange between countries.
The Indian Ocean has always been regarded as an area of great significance and India is central to this Ocean.
During 3000 BC, the inhabitants of the Indus Valley Civilisation had maritime trade links with Mesopotamia.
The excavation at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa has revealed ample evidence that maritime activities flourished during this period.
During the Ashoka period, the Mauryan Empire covered almost the entire Indian subcontinent, and trade relationships existed with Sri Lanka, Egypt, Syria and Macedonia.
During the Gupta period, several ports in the east and west were opened which greatly revived maritime trade with European and African countries.
Vasco da Gama discovered an oceanic route from Portugal to India. His arrival began a new chapter in India's maritime history.
The Marathas gave the strongest resistance to the British from gaining control along the Indian coasts.
Post-independence, the Royal Indian Navy was divided into the Royal Indian Navy and the Royal Pakistan Navy.
On 22 April 1958, Vice Admiral R D Katari, became the first Indian Naval Officer to take over as the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy.