India has a rich Maritime Heritage. Starting with the world’s earliest port city found in Lothal to the naval prowess of the Cholas, India dominated the sea routes for quite some time. It’s not just a happy coincidence that an ocean is named after India and it’s the only one to be named after a country!

Since 1964, 5th of April is celebrated as the National Maritime Day. This day is dedicated to the country's glorious maritime history. This day also marks a crucial step for Indian shipping history. It was on this day in 1919 when SS Loyalty, the first ship of the Scindia Steam Navigation Company Ltd, an Indian shipping company, set sail for the United Kingdom from then British Bombay.

These were the times when the sea routes were controlled by the British. The theme of the National Maritime Day 2019 celebrations is "Indian Ocean-An Ocean of opportunity". This day is celebrated to illustrate the awareness in supporting intercontinental commerce and the global economy as the most well-organized, safe and sound environmentally responsive approach of transporting goods from one corner to another corner of the world. This year, National Maritime Day 2019 awards will also be given for outstanding contribution to Indian Maritime Sector.

India Post has commemorated and honoured our rich maritime history and Indian Navy through a lot of stamps. View details of a few of these stamps here: Maritime Stamps of India .

Did you know there a lot of Indian coins too that feature our maritime related themes such as boats and ships on them? Read this insightful blog about them here: Indian coins with ships and boats.

The image alongside depicts a Max Card which depicts a Ship with the cancellation of National Maritime Day 2010.

Image Courtesy: Rainbow Stamps