Shivaji's Seal on Indian Navy Flag

Chinmayee Deshpande, FY BAMC

The vision Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj had for his navy can be put in one phrase: 'Jalameva yasya, balameva tasya', which translates to – he who rules the seas is all-powerful. He had a strong navy, which at its peak had 400 vessels of different kinds, both battleships and ships of varying sizes for other purposes. He understood the importance of having a strong naval command and he worked tirelessly towards fulfilling that belief. He singlehandedly, with the help of his navy, fought off the British, the Dutch, the Mughals as well as the Siddhis.

These are all the things you might know from reading the history books, but what something they don’t teach you is that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the one who laid the base of India’s naval force. He is also given the title of 'Father of the Indian Navy' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. There have also been many great kings and empires with a strong navy like the Cholas, who traveled through the Bay of Bengal to various foreign lands. But the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is undeniable as he was among the first ones to have the army funded by the treasury. He also had a non-discriminatory policy, anyone with enough talent and willpower could join his army and be a decorated officer.

The establishment of the modern navy, as we know it, was obviously done by the British who ruled the nation as a colony for many years. The navy prospered under British rule and was used in battle in the world wars by the British. During British rule, the flag of the royal Indian navy resembled that of the royal British navy, India being a colony and all. But after its independence, it was changed to a somewhat Indian design.

On Sept 2nd, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, unveiled the new flag for the Indian Navy.

It has the Indian flag in the upper left corner, with the new ensign on the right side of the flag. The ensign, which is in an octagonal shape, signifies many things. The octagon represents the eight directions and the readiness and the resourcefulness of the Indian navy from all directions. The octagon, of course, along with the double gold border is taken directly from the seal of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is, as mentioned above, a great inspiration for the Naval force. There is the Indian National Emblem superimposed on a ship anchor with the navy’s motto at the bottom- 'Sam No Varunah'. The motto has been used in past flags and ensigns and stays a constant along with the anchor.

On the same day, we saw another revelation made by the Prime Minister. INS Vikrant, a fully Indian aircraft carrier was commissioned in the year 2013 and has been nine years in the making. It was made by the Cochin shipyard in Kerala. It has the capacity to hold 30 fighter jets and helicopters. The Prime Minister during the official commissioning ceremony added the prefix INS meaning Indian Naval Ship to this fully indigenous ship. He called the carrier "a floating city" and the "symbol of indigenous potential". While this might not be the biggest or the most capable ship available in the world of naval ships, it certainly is a historical moment for India as the country has finally set foot on the list of nations who are able to make ships on such a large scale.

The Prime Minister has always stressed using Make in India products, and I think finally, this country is on its path to being complete “atmanirbhar” with this ship. This ship will not only help us in being self-reliant but help us considerably in the defense of the country. India has always taken pride in its armed forces and finally, we have one more jewel to adorn the beauty which is the Indian Navy. We are just scratching the surface of the genius that is India and I hope, along with the world, that we may reach heights unknown to man.