10 incredible facts about Indian Navy

Illusive

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10 incredible facts about Indian Navy


It’s an honour beyond compare to be fighting for the country and to be a part of the guard that protects one’s countrymen from harm. The Indian Navy has a tradition of bearing that honour with pride and dedication. Indian armed forces are one of the strongest and most valiant forces in the world, and Indian Navy is the gem of the Armed Forces. On the occasion of Navy Day, here are some incredibly interesting and amazing facts about the Indian Navy, which every proud Indian must know.

1. World’s oldest tidal dock!



It seems that Indians have always been adept at sea faring activities. No wonder then that people of the Harappan civilisation, who had settled in Gujarat, built the world’s first naval dockyard, some 7,600 years ago! The dockyard was built in the Harappan city of Lothal, at around 23oo BC. Lothal engineers studied tidal movements and their effects on brick-built structures and constructed kiln-burnt brick walls. Boats of 60-75 tonnes capacity and 20-25 metres in length could enter Lothal dock, which was designed in such a manner as to ensure berthing 20-30 boats of a fairly large size. Large foreign and Indian ships could enter the harbour without any difficulty.

2. Operation Trident- Indian navy’s certificate for total badassery




The Indian Navy fought one of the largest naval conflicts since the Second World War. During the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war, the Indian Navy executed a blockade, carrier aircraft bombing missions and cruise missile strikes against land targets. The entire operation was known as Operation Trident and it resulted in the first use of anti-ship missiles in combat in the region, and only the second worldwide. Using anti-ship cruise missiles to destroy Pakistani oil tank farms was quite innovative for its time. This is why Navy Day is celebrated on the Anniversary of Operation Trident!



The Ezhimala Naval Academy in Kerala is the largest of its kind in Asia. The Naval Academy (NAVAC) was established in May 1969, while its Ezhimala campus was inaugurated on 8 January 2009 and the name changed to Indian Naval Academy. It shares the 2,452 acres (9.92 km2) site with the naval base depot, INS Zamorin, and the naval hospital, INHS Navjivani. Admission to INA as graduate officer-trainees of the Indian Navy is conducted through a written examination conducted by the UPSC, followed by 5-days of testing and interviews conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB). These cover general aptitude, psychological testing, medical tests, team skills as well as physical and social skills.

4. Sagar Pawan- one of only two naval aerobatic teams in the world!



Sagar Pawan is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Indian Navy. It is one of the only two naval aerobatic teams in the world, the other being the Blue Angels of the US Navy. The team uses 4 HJT-16 Kiran Mk.2 trainer aircrafts, and the colour scheme used by the aircraft is dark blue on white. Sagar Pawan was formed in 2003 at Dabolim Naval Air Station in Goa, Southern India, as the first demonstration was in May 2003. The team flew four HJT-16 Kiran Mk.II planes attached to INAS 551 Squadron, painted in dark blue and white. Planes were used white, red and blue smokes. However, the team hasn’t flown ever since an accident in 2010, killed the pilot and the co-pilot.

5. MARCOS- ‘The few, the fearless’



MARCOS or Marine Commandos are the special force of Indian Navy. They are called ‘the few, the fearless’ as they are one of the most feared Indian forces. They are the most efficient special force. However, becoming a MARCO or a Marine Commando is no cakewalk. Depending on the specialisation, MARCO trainees have to go one of world’s toughest courses. But to be selected to undergo the training is in itself extremely difficult. Almost 80% of the applicants are rejected. But lady luck can be hardly seen smiling at those who do manage to get through, as the selection follows five-week-long ‘hell’s week’, which includes sleep deprivation and intense physical training.
 

Illusive

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6. Shivaji Maharaj- the ‘Father of Indian Navy’!



Shivaji demonstrated great skill in creating his military organisation, which lasted till the demise of the Maratha empire. He also built a powerful navy, which is why he is considered as the Father of Indian Navy. He built a strong naval presence across the coast of Konkan and Goa to protect sea trade. The navy under Shivaji was so strong that the Marathas coule hold their against the British, Portuguese and Dutch. Shivaji realised the importance of having a secure coastline and protecting the western Konkan coastline from the attacks of Siddi’s fleet. His strategy was to build a strong navy to protect and bolster his kingdom.

PS: I consider Cholas as father of our Navy....or maybe forefather :laugh:

7. The Giant of Indian Navy



INS Viraat is a Centaur-class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy. INS Viraat was the flagship of the Indian Navy before INS Vikramaditya was commissioned in 2013. The last British-built ship serving with the Indian Navy, she is the oldest aircraft carrier in service in the world and is one of three carriers based in the Indian Ocean region. The HMS Harriers (airplanes on INS VIRAAT) are one of its kind, which have the ability of vertical landing and take-off. Sadly, Viraat is to be decommissioned in 2016, leading to a piece of Indian naval history becoming a mere artifact.

8. The Slayer of Enemies



INS Arihant- the first in the series of Arihant class submarines- is India’s first indigenously built nuclear submarine and hence is not limited by fuel, but by its ability to carry food for its men. It has the capability to shoot missiles tipped with nuclear warheads even from a depth of 0.5 km beneath the sea. Its 100-member crew have been trained by Russian specialists, Indian scientists at Mumbai’s Bhabha Atomic Research Centre have developed a significant expertise in reducing the size of the reactor to help it fit into the 10 metres (33 ft) diameter hull of the submarine. As per Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, the sea trials of INS Arihant will last for 8 to 10 months, before its induction and commissioning into the Indian Navy in the first quarter of 2016.

9. Sagar Prahari Bal- the patrol force



Sagar Prahari Bal (SPB) formed in March 2009 after the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is the unit of the Indian Navy responsible for patrolling India’s coastal waters. The force consists of 1,000 personnel and is equipped with 80 patrol boats. The force was constituted after the Mumbai terror attacks and the main duty of the force is to guard against such terrorist attacks by patrolling the coastline and also to conduct search and rescue operations. The soldiers are trained at INS Shivaji, a naval training and engineering base, near Lonavla. The SPB maintains security at all major and minor ports in India and carries out round the clock patrolling and is also part of search and rescue operations in times of emergency.

10. The ‘Three Poles’ Challenge



Indian Navy successfully completed an expedition to the North Pole and the South Pole. Indian Navy was also the first navy to send a submariner to an expedition to Mt. Everest! A ten-member team of the Indian Navy created history in May 2008, by reaching the North Pole and joining an elite group of adventurers who have conquered the “three poles”. The Indian Navy expedition became the first ever of any Indian Team to have successfully ski traversed both the geographic poles.

 

Bornubus

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Cholas were the the pioneers in naval warfare in India not Marathas and before that satvahanas and mauryans and sangam era kingdoms in south had their own navies but it was cholas who use navy for successful military campaigns like modern day expiditions.

Cholas also had naval Infantry like Modern marines.

Battle_of_kedah.jpg


map-1050-chola.jpg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chola_Navy
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/history-chola.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Indian_Navy

Marathas military success were based on Light Cavalry and deadly ambushes and guerrilla warfare not navy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_cavalry
http://www.forensicfashion.com/1760MarathaCavalry.html

Also during the medieval times superior portugese navy outclassed both british and mughal navy.Mughal navy was so poor that it was overpowered by pirates let alone europeans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganj-i-Sawai
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every
 
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Razor

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Present day Kerala has had spices related trade links with the ME and greater Mesopotamia and beyond for several centuries before even Budhha. But we wouldn't read much about this in text books, it's all about the North right? :)

Kerala was the first ones to drive out the portuguese (Kunjali Marrakar: naval commander under the Samuthri (Anglicized as Zamorin ))
Kerala also drove out the Dutch thus finishing of the Dutch East india company which went elsewhere.
Even though these euros searched for india and came for the spices, they never were able to set up any base in Kerala (spice garden of india) for any considerable period of time.

And of the great chozhas, not much needs to be said: just take a look at SE Asia.
Entire ethnicities and countries, cities and islands have names influenced by us: Malaysia, malay people (both same word root as malayalam), Sumatra, bali, Singapore, ayutthaya and so on.
 

Illusive

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Can somebody tell me why we have a goddamn cross on the indian naval flag?
From wiki :Indian Naval Ensign

In 2001, this flag was replaced with a white ensign bearing the Indian Navy crest, as the previous ensign was thought to reflect India's colonial past. [1] However complaints arose that the new ensign was indistinguishable as the blue of the naval crest easily merged with the sky and the ocean. Hence in 2004, the ensign was changed back to the St. George's cross design, with the addition of the emblem of India in the intersection of the cross.
 

salute

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Cholas were the the pioneers in naval warfare in India not Marathas and before that satvahanas and mauryans and sangam era kingdoms in south had their own navies but it was cholas who use navy for successful military campaigns like modern day expiditions.

Cholas also had naval Infantry like Modern marines.

View attachment 6846

View attachment 6847
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chola_Navy
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/history-chola.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Indian_Navy

Marathas military success were based on Light Cavalry and deadly ambushes and guerrilla warfare not navy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_cavalry
http://www.forensicfashion.com/1760MarathaCavalry.html

Also during the medieval times superior portugese navy outclassed both british and mughal navy.Mughal navy was so poor that it was overpowered by pirates let alone europeans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganj-i-Sawai
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Every
cholas only had merchant navy or transportation ships,

marathas had cannon mounted ships,

so they were naval power of india.
 
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Bornubus

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cholas only had merchant navy or transportation ships,

marathas had cannon mounted ships,

so they were naval power of india.
That's bcz gunpowder itself invented only in 1200 ~ AD before cholas,and putting cannons on a ship does not make one a naval prowess - marathas were never a naval power because they never dominated any trade route or they had the shipbuilding capacity like cholas.For several years their navy helped them in controling the major trade routes around india along with several military invasions in far off land.

Look at the scale of Cholas they had 600 -1000 ships at its peak, Rajaraja commissioned various foreigners (Prominently, the Arabs and Chinese) in the naval building program led a successful expedition against the sri vijaya kingdom (present day Indonesia) and subdued Sailendra.

They were our forefathers when we think of stuffs like Blue water navy and combating piracy In one particular note, the Cholas went as far as to conquer the kamboja and gave it to the Sri Vijaya kings (as per their request) to ensure cooperation in the curbing piracy.
 

Bornubus

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The Ancient Chola navy was based on trade vessel designs with little more than boarding implements, though this changed throughout the history. The later day navy was a specialized force with specially built ships for each type of combat.

The Imperial Navy of the Medieval Cholas was composed of a multitude of forces in its command. In addition to the regular navy (Kappal-Padai), there were many auxiliary forces that could be used in naval combat. The Chola Navy was an autonomous service unlike many of its contemporaries. The Army depended on the Naval-fleets for transportation and logistics. The navy also had a core of marines. Even saboteurs, who were trained pearl-fishermen were used, to dive and disable enemy vessels by destroying or damaging the rudder.[30]

The Chola Navy could undertake any of the following combat and non-combat missions,

  • Peacetime patrol and interdiction of piracy.
  • Escort trade conveys.
  • Escort friendly vessels.
  • Naval battle close to home ports and at high-seas.
  • Establish a beachhead and or reinforce the army in times of need.
  • Denial of passage for allies of the state's enemies.
  • Sabotage of enemy vessels
This multi-dimensional force enabled the Cholas to achieve the Military, Political and cultural hegemony over their vast dominion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chola_Navy
 

Mad Indian

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That's bcz gunpowder itself invented only in 1200 ~ AD before cholas,and putting cannons on a ship does not make one a naval prowess - marathas were never a naval power because they never dominated any trade route or they had the shipbuilding capacity like cholas.For several years their navy helped them in controling the major trade routes around india along with several military invasions in far off land.

Look at the scale of Cholas they had 600 -1000 ships at its peak, Rajaraja commissioned various foreigners (Prominently, the Arabs and Chinese) in the naval building program led a successful expedition against the sri vijaya kingdom (present day Indonesia) and subdued Sailendra.

They were our forefathers when we think of stuffs like Blue water navy and combating piracy In one particular note, the Cholas went as far as to conquer the kamboja and gave it to the Sri Vijaya kings (as per their request) to ensure cooperation in the curbing piracy.
Where do you think the word Singapore comes from? From Cholas conquest only! Its pathetic that Indians don't know even their own history and are more content about reading about their invaders and looters. I read about all our history in internet, while I read about how britshits had an inferior navy compared to Portugal and Spain, before the battle of some sea, where Spanish armada was defeated by British during 16th century, like that shit is more important than Chola historu:tsk:


Singam- lion,puram- city. Lion city.
 
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Screambowl

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Where do you think the word Singapore comes from? From Cholas conquest only! Its pathetic that Indians don't know even their own history and are more content about reading about their invaders and looters. I read about all our history in internet, while I read about how britshits had an inferior navy compared to Portugal and Spain, before the battle of some sea, where Spanish armada was defeated by British during 16th century, like that shit is more important than Chola historu:tsk:


Singam- lion,puram- city. Lion city.
because we Indians have inferiority complex, and little awareness. We have failed to unite ourselves, how do you expect these goats and sheep without any shepherd to be united? Forget claiming back what we were. :smash:
 

Bornubus

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Where do you think the word Singapore comes from? From Cholas conquest only! Its pathetic that Indians don't know even their own history and are more content about reading about their invaders and looters. I read about all our history in internet, while I read about how britshits had an inferior navy compared to Portugal and Spain, before the battle of some sea, where Spanish armada was defeated by British during 16th century, like that shit is more important than Chola historu:tsk:


Singam- lion,puram- city. Lion city.
Our history books are dominated by commies,AMU and Delhi circle while regional historians who are concerned with native indian history and heroes are looked down as mythology and bards.

Our military and cultural achievements both in india and abroad as far as Indonasia are rarely known or have little value in our competitive exams,years back i was watching the russian TV channel about mysteries i couldn't understood the language though but that show depicted an abandoned settlement in Siberia with several Hindu Symbols like OM,russians couldn't figure out that was.
 

Mad Indian

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Our history books are dominated by commies,AMU and Delhi circle while regional historians who are concerned with native indian history and heroes are looked down as mythology and bards.

Our military and cultural achievements both in india and abroad as far as Indonasia are rarely known or have little value in our competitive exams,years back i was watching the russian TV channel about mysteries i couldn't understood the language though but that show depicted an abandoned settlement in Siberia with several Hindu Symbols like OM,russians couldn't figure out that was.
And the supposed thekadars, the chaddi clowns have done jack shit to correct it.
 

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Bornubus

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And the supposed thekadars, the chaddi clowns have done jack shit to correct it.
What can they do,i pity them without doing anything they are branded as extremist,intolerant,even hindu terrorists.
 

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