Maritime history is related with the activities related to the oceans and seas. Indian maritime history is vast and includes different eras right from the ancient times till date. The maritime history of India has been influenced largely by the different political activities and has been really important in the development of trade uplifting the economy of the country. Sea routes were really substantial as they provided the means of business with foreign countries and establishing contacts with the foreign states in ancient and medieval times. Indian maritime history traces the advent of the Portuguese to the coasts of India and the activities that resulted in this influx of foreigners to a land of great resources and wealth.

Starting from the Indus valley civilization, Indian maritime history even surpasses western civilization in its origin. It is then that The world`s first tidal dock is believed to have been built at Lothal around 2300 BC during the Harappan civilisation, near the present day Mangrol harbour on the Gujarat coast. Sea gained a prominent position with time and maritime activities began to grow with the different conquests. With various invasions, the waterbodies came under the developmental procedures that they undertook as a means of fulfilling their own motives. Like, north- west India came under the influence of Alexander the great, who built a harbour at Patala and his army returned to Mesopotamia in ships built in Sindh. Similarly other kings from different dynasties like Maurya, Chola, Satavahanas etc also contributed immensely to the Indian maritime history. Being surrounded on the three sides by water bodies India is in an advantageous position in terms of trade practises at home and abroad. Without proper navigational skills this achievement would not have been possible, two famous Indian astronomers, Aryabhatta and Varahamihira, helped in this regard by mapping the positions of celestial bodies,and developing a method of computing a ship`s position from the stars.

Naval expeditions, which occupied parts of Burma, Malaya and Sumatra, while suppressing the piratical activities of the Sumatra warlords, were also carried out from India in 984-1042AD by the Chola kings. Indian maritime history mentions the sudden disappearance of the maritime power when the Portuguese arrived in India because they imposed a system of license for trade. Again the late seventeenth century, there is witnessed a notable revival of maritime activities with the alliance of Siddhis of Janjira allied and the Moghuls. Indian shipbuilders continued to hold their own well into the nineteenth century inspite of the britisgh domination. The Bombay Dock completed in July 1735 is still in use even today.

Indus Valley Civilization:
The Indus valley civilization as is known is among the earliest urbane settlements exhibiting enormous potential in town planning, art, science and technology. Indian maritime history is not detached from this, rather very much influenced by this. Indus valley had trade relations with the cities of Mesopotamia, which were interconnected with West India, West Asia dating back to at least 2000 BCE. This is evident from the excavated inscriptions and products discovered at Mesopotamian sites. They referred to the men and ships from the Indus valley as "Meluhha" which is now recognizable. "Middlemen merchants from Dilmun were handling much of commerce those days. These merchants were from modern Bharain and Failaka located in the Persian gulf. Innovative development of plank-built watercraft, equipped with a single central mast supporting a sail of woven rushes or cloth actually helped in the long distance sea-trade. Through out South-Asia we find the prevalence if Indic-Saraswati artifacts establishing the fact of Indus trade relations with the neighboring countries and the maritime activities.

India`s Maritime trade with the West:
Geographically India lies across the major Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOC) in the Indian Ocean, which lends it a considerable strategic importance and potential. Indian ships had a massive share of interchange till the Portugueese arrived in the beginning of the 14th century. In the long history of India`s links with South-East Asia, the South-East Asian empire of the Sri Vijayas is a remarkable chapter. The city of Vijaynagar was a teeming marketplace for both exports and imports. Indian maritime history comprises the extensive dealings with foreign places, which even have a mention in the Bible and by Sappho. South India was along the trade routes for the export of spices like cinnamon and cassia which originated from China and south east Asia. During the Sultanate period, everyday use articles as well as luxury articles were exported to Syria, Arabia and Persia from Bengal and Cambay. These included silks, exquisitely designed clay pots and pans, gold-embroidered cloth caps, knives, guns, and scissors. Other major things of export were indigo, sugar, oils, ivory sandalwood, diamonds, spices, other precious gems and coconuts. East Africa, Malaya, China and the Far East were the places where things were exported. Arab traders shipped Indian goods to European countries through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean ports. Indian textiles were in great demand in China.

Mauryan empire:
Chandragupta was the founder of the Maurya empire, ruling from 324 to 301 B.C. He along with the help of Chanakya (Kautilya) destroyed the Nanda rulers of Magadha and established the Mauryan empire. After this the expansion continued with Punjab, Kabul, Khandahar, Gandhara and Persia from Seluces. Indian maritime history was much affected by the rise of the Maurya kingdom. Indian maritime history has the reference of the first organization of ships in the Mauryan empire. Chandragupta`s reign was frought with roman connections and vicrories which necessitated brisk trade developments. Kautilya in the cases of navigation and seafaring guided him as well. In his much celebrated work, Kautilya included a whole chapter on the state department of waterways under `navadhyaksha` which in translation means superindentant of ships. Chandragupta Maurya established an admiralty division under a Superintendent of ships as part of his war office, with a charter including responsibility for navigation on the Seas, Oceans, lakes and Rivers.

Mauryan empire encouraged extensive maritime activities which helped in the boom of trade practices in the south. This expansion in the south was specially under Bindusara, whereas chandragupta had expended the territories to the northern side. Plenty of availability of pepper and other spices, the navigability of the rivers connecting the high mountains with the seas and the discovery of favourable trade winds which carried sailing ships precipitated oversea trading. Exports generally included silk goods and textiles, spices and exotic foods. The Empire was enriched further with an exchange of scientific knowledge and technology with Europe and West Asia.

Influence of the Cholas:
The Cholas were a tamil dynasty that ruled the south of India till the 13th century. Indian maritime history records extensive overseas venture in the south of India under the Chola dynasty. The Cholas encouraged sea trade by developing harbours and providing quarters, warehouses and workshops for Roman sailors and merchants. Trading relations in the south were improved and they had long trading correspondence with the west through transshipments at the Northern ports. Navigational facilities were provided in the ports, which included repair yards, pilotage, wharfs, and even light houses. Malays and Indonesians participated in the growing exchange when the voyages betweeen India and South east Asia became frequent. Muzirs, Poduca, and Sopatma were the important trading ports. Raja Rajendra was a powerful of the Chola dynasty in the 10th century, who knew the great importance of foreign trade and built a powerful navy meant for trade and war. The Chola dynasty no doubt helped to enhance the maritime activities which has contributed to the indian maritime history.

There was a huge gamut of maritime development, that took place from the beginning of the civilization prior to the western accomplishments. Tracing Indian maritime history we come across the extent of progress that was being made in this field, which helped in the development of trade and commerce in the country. Indian maritime history spans a huge era of seafaring, which is impressive till today, when we can still find its evidence, and is a part of the heritage.