Chola Navigation Package

First published in 2004, Chola Navigation Package builds on the navigational practices, skills, and wisdom that finally culminated in the Chola naval expeditions to Malaya and Indonesia and cultural-cum-trade emissaries to China. It derives information from limited medieval documentation in the North Indian Ocean arena, oral knowledge, and living practices of the Coromandel coast.

The book is the first ever attempt to narrate the Chola Navigation mode, as it was popularly known among medieval seaman, especially the Arabs, Omanis, and the Chinese. It highlights the expertise of Tamil seamen in celestial navigation and parallel sailing. This volume will be a valuable resource for researchers of maritime technology, Indian maritime history, history of Indian navigation, historical geography, and South Asian studies.

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.