War in Ancient India c7.s3.21

c7.s3.21

Further on in the Veda, this same vessel is described as a *plava*¹¹⁵ which was storm-proof and which presented a pleasing appearance and had wings on its sides. Another reference¹¹⁶ informs us that Tugra dispatched a fleet of four vessels (*Catasro nāvah*) among which was the one referred to above. We may infer from these passages that the Aśvins were a great commercial people having their home in a far-off island, and that their ruler Tugra maintained a fleet in the interests of his State. There are also other references in the *Ṛg Veda* to show that the ancient Indians were acquainted with the art of navigation. For instance, Varuṇa is credited with a knowledge of the ocean routes along which vessels sailed.¹¹⁷