: Mumbai, August 4, 2025
 

The Maritime History Society, founded on 12 May 1978, is an academic initiative of the Western Naval Command. The Society aims to explore, study, promote and showcase India’s rich maritime heritage and wisdom through literature, seminars, research, heritage walks and visits, newsletters, and various other maritime-themed events.

Every year, Maritime History Society (MHS) ushers in the monsoons with its three-part Monsoon Musings Lecture (MML) Series. These lectures explore themes ranging from ancient maritime history to the modern period. The distinguished speakers include eminent maritime historians, naval personnel and academicians who bring with them, years of expertise and a deep passion for maritime studies. The lectures are usually attended by students, naval personnel, historians and maritime enthusiasts. The first lecture of the series, titled “Maritime Might of the Chola Empire” was delivered by the renowned historian, Dr Radhika Seshan, on 09 July 2025.

The second lecture of MML 2025 series is titled “The Maritime Legacy of Kunjali Marakkars: Defenders of Malabar Coast”. The lecture is being conducted in collaboration with the Navy Foundation, Mumbai Chapter and will be delivered by Commodore G Prakash, NM, (Retd) at the Agastya Auditorium, INHS Asvini on 06 Aug 25. The Navy Foundation, Mumbai Chapter is a dedicated forum for retired naval personnel for a continued engagement with naval and maritime affairs. The Foundation undertakes charitable, cultural, educational and social activities for the veteran members and their families.

During the lecture, Cmde G Prakash will bring out the extraordinary saga of the Kunjali Marakkars, the traditional naval commanders of the Zamorins of Calicut and their sustained naval resistance against the Portuguese. The Zamorins introduced innovative tactics such as armed convoys, maritime blockades and naval manoeuvres, proving that freedom of the seas is the foundation of sovereignty over land.

The speaker is a retired naval air operations officer and anti-submarine warfare specialist with over 30 years of distinguished service in the Indian Navy. He has commanded a number of ships and shore establishments during his illustrious career. A recipient of the Nao Sena Medal in 2018, the veteran has been a prolific speaker, writer and a guest lecturer at several defence colleges and strategic Swaminathan, AVSM VSM, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval institutions of India for over two decades. The Chief Guest for the event is Vice Admiral Krishna Command.

 

****

Source: PRO Defence, Mumbai/Sriyanka Chatterjee/Preeti Malandkar

(Release ID: 2152131) Visitor Counter : 38