Los boitas ( Odia : ବୋଇତ ) eran barcos y barcos más grandes que se construyeron en la antigua región de Kalinga durante su historia marítima . [1] [2] Las regiones frente al mar de Kalinga que consisten en la costa de Odisha tenían puertos comerciales importantes para los que se usaban boitas . Los antiguos Sadhabas (comerciantes marinos) navegaron desde Kalinga a tierras lejanas como Sri Lanka y el sudeste asiático, incluidas las regiones continentales e insulares del sudeste asiático para el comercio. [3] [4]
Construcción [ editar ]
Las reglas y regulaciones relativas a la construcción de barcos se registraron en el texto sánscrito Yuktikalpataru ( ଯୁକ୍ତିକଲ୍ପତରୁ Juktikalpataru) escrito por el rey Bhoja . El Madalapanji ( ମାଦଳପାଞ୍ଜି ) registra que el rey Bhoja construyó muchos barcos con madera local. [5] La recuperación de muchas azuelas para trabajar la madera y otros artefactos del lago Chilika ( ଚିଲିକା ) muestra que Golabai era un centro de construcción de barcos. [1]
Yuktikalpataru [ editar ]
El tratado Yuktikalpataru tiene secciones sobre barcos que tratan de la clasificación y características de la construcción de barcos, como las variedades de maderas más adecuadas para la construcción de barcos, la clasificación de barcos para barcos fluviales ( sāmānya ) y marítimos ( viśeṣa ), sus nombres y medidas respectivas, tipos de decoración y pintura de barcos, varios tipos de cabinas de barcos, etc. [6] [7] [8] Los dos capítulos que tratan extensamente con la construcción de barcos son Niṣpadayānoddeśa y Jaghanya Jalayānāni . [9] Por tanto, se clasifican en lo siguiente:
- temporadas / períodos adecuados para la construcción naval
- variedades de maderas más adecuadas para la construcción de barcos
- mandato relativo a atar un clavo de hierro a un barco de alta mar (viśeṣa)
- clasificación de barcos
- fluvial u ordinario llamado sāmānya
- marinero o especial llamado viśeṣa
- nombres y medidas de ordianry (sāmānya) tipo de embarcación
- dos tipos de barcos especiales (viśeṣa)
- dīrghā (según la longitud)
- unnatā (según la altura)
- nombres y medidas del barco tipo dīrghā
- opiniones sobre el barco tipo dīrghā
- nombres y medidas del barco tipo unnatā
- opiniones sobre el barco tipo unnatā
- pintura de barcos
- decoración de barcos
- barcos con cabina
- vasijas de agua despreciables (Jaghanya Jalayānāni)
Madera para la construcción de barcos [ editar ]
Para la construcción de barcos, se distinguieron cuatro tipos diferentes de maderas.
- Brahmajati: este grupo se compone de madera ligera y blanda que se puede unir fácilmente a cualquier otro tipo de madera.
- Kshetrahati: la madera es ligera y dura pero no se puede unir a otras maderas
- Vaisyajati: la madera es blanda y pesada
- Sudrajati: la madera se caracteriza por su dureza y pesadez
- Dvijati: la madera es de variedad mixta que tiene propiedades combinadas de dos grupos separados
El texto también menciona que el hierro no se usó en embarcaciones de alta mar, por lo que se refiere al dominio de las embarcaciones cosidas cosidas , donde los cascos se cosían con una cuerda en lugar de clavarlos en un marco. [10] [11]
Clasificación de buques [ editar ]
Los barcos se clasifican en dos grupos: [6] [9]
- fluvial u ordinario llamado sāmānya (ସାମାନ୍ୟ)
- marinero o especial llamado viśeṣa (ବିଶେଷ)
Los nombres y medidas de los dos grupos clasificados de buques son los siguientes: [12]
Barcos fluviales / fluviales / ordinarios (Sāmānya) [ editar ]
Los barcos utilizados en el tráfico fluvial o fluvial se incluyen en esta clase. Está dividido en diez grupos de diferentes dimensiones.
| Nombre | Longitud en pies (m) | Anchura en pies (m) | Altura en pies (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| kṣudra (କ୍ଷୁଦ୍ର) | 24 (7,32) | 6 (1,83) | 6 (1,83) |
| madhyamā (ମଧ୍ୟମା) | 36 (10,97) | 28 (8,53) | 12 (3,66) |
| bhimā (ଭିମା) | 60 (18,29) | 30 (9,14) | 30 (9,14) |
| capalā (ଚପଲା) | 72 (21,95) | 36 (10,97) | 36 (10,97) |
| paṭalā (ପଟଲା) | 96 (29,26) | 48 (14,63) | 48 (14,63) |
| bhayā (ଭୟା) | 108 (32,92) | 54 (16,46) | 54 (16,46) |
| dīrghā (ଦୀର୍ଘା) | 132 (40,23) | 66 (20,12) | 66 (20,12) |
| patrapuṭā (ପତ୍ରପୁଟା) | 144 (43,89) | 72 (21,95) | 72 (21,95) |
| garbharā (ଗର୍ଭରା) | 168 (51,21) | 84 (25,6) | 84 (25,6) |
| mantharā (ମନ୍ଥରା) | 180 (54,86) | 90 (27,43) | 90 (27,43) |
Marine/sea-going/special ships (Viśeṣa)[edit]
The sea-going or special ships are divided into two categories:
- dīrghā (ଦୀର୍ଘା)- noted for their length
- unnatā (ଉନ୍ନତା)- noted for their height
| Name | Length in ft (m) | Breadth in ft (m) | Height in ft (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| dīrghikā (ଦୀର୍ଘିକା) | 48 (14.63) | 6 (1.83) | 4.5 (1.37) |
| taraṇī (ତରଣୀ) | 72 (21.95) | 9 (2.74) | 6 (1.83) |
| lolā (ଲୋଲା) | 96 (29.26) | 12 (3.66) | 9 (2.74) |
| gatvarā (ଗତ୍ୱରା) | 120 (36.58) | 15 (4.57) | 12 (3.66) |
| gāminī (ଗାମିନୀ) | 144 (43.89) | 18 (5.49) | 13.5 (4.11) |
| tarī (ତରୀ) | 168 (51.21) | 21 (6.4) | 16.5 (5.03) |
| jaṅghālā (ଜଙ୍ଗାଲା) | 192 (58.52) | 24 (7.32) | 18 (5.49) |
| plāvinī (ପ୍ଲାବିନୀ) | 216 (65.84) | 27 (8.23) | 21 (6.4) |
| dhāriṇī (ଧାରିଣୀ) | 240 (73.15) | 30 (9.14) | 24 (7.32) |
| veginī (ବେଗିନୀ) | 264 (80.47) | 33 (10.06) | 25.5 (7.77) |
| Name | Length in ft (m) | Breadth in ft (m) | Height in ft (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ūrddhavā (ଊର୍ଦ୍ଧବା) | 48 (14.63) | 24 (7.32) | 24 (7.32) |
| anūrddhavā (ଅନୁର୍ଦ୍ଧବା) | 72 (21.95) | 36 (10.97) | 36 (10.97) |
| svarṇamukhī (ସ୍ୱର୍ଣମୁଖୀ) | 96 (29.26) | 48 (14.63) | 48 (14.63) |
| garbhiṇī (ଗର୍ଭିଣୀ) | 120 (36.58) | 60 (18.29) | 60 (18.29) |
| mantharā (ମନ୍ଥରା) | 144 (43.89) | 72 (21.95) | 72 (21.95) |
Decoration and painting of Ships[edit]
Yuktikalpataru also gives elaborate directions for decorating and furnishing of ships.[6][9]
Metals used for decorations[edit]
Kinds of Metals recommended for decorative purposes:
- Gold
- Silver
- Copper
- Compound of all above three
Colours[edit]
Types of colours recommended for the types of vessels(with masts):
| Vessel(with masts) | Colour |
|---|---|
| Vessel with 4 masts | White |
| Vessel with 3 masts | Red |
| Vessel with 2 masts | Yellow |
| Vessel with 1 mast | Blue |
Ship prow and body section decorations[edit]
The prows of the ships are also decorated with a great variety of fanciful shapes and forms like the heads of lion, buffalo, serpent, elephant, tiger, birds such as duck, peahen or parrot, frog and human. After painting the ship with the respective colour with regards to the mast, the body of the ship is then painted with pictures of celestial bodies such as sun, moon etc, deities, swan, peacock, parrot, lion, elephant, serpent, tiger and bees.
Other decorations used on the ships include thin sheets of metal on all sides (such ships are called kamalā), with a type of avājñāsika cloth (composed of mixed white, red, spotted yellow, black colours), decked with pearls (ships resembled the umbrella of navadaṇḍa type) and garlands of gold are also attached and hung from the ships.
Ship cabin types[edit]
Three classes of ships are classified according to the length and position of the cabins.[6][9]
- Sarvamandirā (ସର୍ବମନ୍ଦିରା)
- Madhyamandirā (ମଧ୍ୟମନ୍ଦିରା)
- Agramandirā (ଅଗ୍ରମନ୍ଦିରା)
| Ship with cabin type | Feature | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Sarvamandirā | largest cabins, extending from one end of the ship to the other | goods, animals, passengers |
| Madhyamandirā | cabins located in the middle part | suitable during rainy season, royal voyages |
| Agramandirā | cabins located towards the prow section | convenient during dry season and also for long voyages, used by navies |
Depictions[edit]
Terracotta seals from Bangarh and Chandraketugarh (400–100 BCE) depict sea going vessels carrying containing corn. The ships have a single mast with a square sail.[13] The earliest depiction of ships in Odisha is in a sculptured frieze showing two ships, found near the Brahmeswara Temple, Bhubaneswar, and now preserved in the Odisha State Museum. The first ship has standing elephants in the front part, two people seated in the center and two sailor with oars at the rear steering the ship.[1]
A temple in Bhubaneswar called Vaital Deula named after the shape of its roof, which resembles an overturned boat. According to scholars, the name is derived from Vaita Kakhara, also called Vaitalu or Vaital, hence the phonetics deriving from Boita.[14] The Lingaraj Temple of Bhubaneswar has a representation of a boat being steered with an oar by a woman, dated to the 11th century CE. A sculpture from Konark in the 13th century CE shows a boat rowed by four people, with a cabin in the center in which a man is seated, armed with a bow and arrow. A boat depicted in the Sun Temple of Konarak contains a giraffe, indicating trade with Africa.[1]
Boita Bandana[edit]
Boita Bandana also known as Danga Bhasa, is a traditional Odia festival celebrated annually throughout Odisha. The name could be translated as "to float ritual boats and worshipping with lighted lamp" and comes from the tradition of making decorated boats, which are then floated on a river as a symbolic gesture of their ancestors' voyage. During the ceremony, men, women and children dressed up in traditional costumes place tiny boats made from banana peels, paper or solapitha with lighted lamps inside and Odia women perform the rite of the festival to pay homage to the Sadhabas (anceint Odia mariner merchants) who embarked on the voyage to distant lands for trade, commerce and cultural exchange. The festival is similar to festivals of Masakapam Kepesih of Bali, Loi Krathong of Thailand and Bon Om Touk of Cambodia, which involve the ritualistic floating of boats lit with lamps held during the full moon day of the same month in the year.[15]
Its major occasion held at Cuttack on the banks of the Mahanadi river is called Bali Jatra which literally means ' A Voyage to Bali', and celebrates the ancient maritime tradition and the connection with Southeast Asia. Miniature Boitas are used today as children's toys during the Odia festival of Bali Jatra.[16]
Gallery[edit]
Sculptured frieze depicting two Boitas found near Brahmeswara Temple
Terracotta seal portraying boita circa 400 BCE-100 BCE
Boita on a Pattachitra painting
See also[edit]
- Maritime history of Odisha
- Sadhaba
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Sushanta Ku. Patra & Dr. Benudhar Patra. "Archaeology and the maritime history of ancient Odisha" (PDF). OHRJ, Vol. XLVII, No. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
- ^ Pham, Charlotte Minh-Hà L. (2012). Asian Shipbuilding Technology (PDF). UNESCO. p. 35. ISBN 978-92-9223-414-0.
- ^ Kandarpa Patel. "Maritime relation of Kalinga with Sri Lanka" (PDF). OHRJ, Vol. XLVII, No. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
- ^ Orissa Review. Home Department, Government of Orissa. 1987.
- ^ Nirakar Mahalik (September 2004). "Maritime Trade of Ancient Orissa" (PDF). Orissa Review. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-11-25. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
- ^ a b c d Radha Kumud Mookerji (1912). Indian Shipping A History of the Sea-borne Trade and Maritime Activity of the Indians from the Earliest Times. Longmans, Green and Company. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ Bhoja, edited by Isvara Chandra Sastri (1917). "Yukti-kalpataru".
- ^ Guy, John (1999), A Boat Model and State Ritual in Eastern India, École française d’Extrême-Orient, p. 110
- ^ a b c d Mamata Chaudhuri (20 November 1975), Ship-Building in the Yuktikalpataru and Samarangana Sutradhara (PDF), Indian National Science Academy, retrieved 8 April 2021
- ^ Sanyal, Sanjeev (2016-08-10). The Ocean of Churn: How the Indian Ocean Shaped Human History. Penguin UK. p. 100. ISBN 978-93-86057-61-7.
Stitched Ships
- ^ A.H.J. Prins, 1986. Handbook of Sewn Boats: The Ethnography and Archaeology of Archaic Plank-Built Craft. Maritime Monographs and Reports No.59. Greenwich, London: The National Maritime Museum.
- ^ Radha Kumud Mookerji (1912). Indian Shipping A History of the Sea-borne Trade and Maritime Activity of the Indians from the Earliest Times. Longmans, Green and Company. pp. 22–24. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ Sila Tripati. "Early Maritime Activities of Orissa on the East Coast of India: Linkages in Trade and Cultural Developments" (PDF). Marine Archaeology Centre, National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula. Retrieved 2010-11-17.
- ^ Dora, Jayanti (2004), SAKTA MONUMENTS: WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE "KHAKHARA" TEMPLES OF BHUBANESWAR, Indian History Congress, p. 1136
- ^ Uday Dokras (October 2020), Kalinga Maritime history, Indo Nordic Author's Collective, retrieved 9 February 2021
- ^ "Bali Yatra". Odisha Tourism. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
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