India will celebrate Navy Day on December 4. But did you know that this occasion is not a commemoration of the formation of the Indian Navy? In fact, the day marks commemoration of the very successful naval actions in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal during the India Pakistan War of December 1971.

The might of the Indian Navy, however, stretches far beyond. Many refer to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj as the Father of Indian Navy. And no doubt, the Maratha emperor had one of the best navies of his time. However, naval history expert Commodore (retd) Srikant Kensur, says, “Many centuries before Marathas and Marrakars, kingdoms such as Satvahanas, Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, Cheras also showed maritime prowess.”