Maritime Archaeology: Historical Descriptions of the Seafarings of the Kalingas

The maritime activities of Kalinga are well known. The people of Kalinga were great seafarers and their expertise in the technology of ship-building and navigation is indeed astonishing. The book gives a comprehensive account of the rich maritime traditions of Kalinga. Besides describing its geographical location of port towns it deals with their political and cultural contacts with other overseas countries, trade and communication patterns, economic and currency trends for the last few centuries. The book also unearthed some unknown ports and trade centres of Kalinga. It also focuses on how the natural factors are responsible for the decline of certain ports and trade centres and at the same time emphasises on the emergence of new ports and trade centres. There was no decline of trade. It is held that trade was basically and exclusively a private enterprise organised by the merchants and merchantile guilds throughout the period and hence fluctuating political fortunes of the ruling families of Kalinga did not necessarily affect in the progress and retardation of the maritime activities of its people. Although inheritors of ancient seafarers changed their profession over the time due to decline in trade contacts yet the traditions are being maintained in the region in form of cultural festivals.