(IN BRIEF) Researchers from the University of Exeter have joined forces with local boatbuilders in West Bengal to revive the traditional chhot boat, once famed for its exceptional handling in estuarine waters. Led by Professor John P. Cooper and the Mondal family, the month-long project meticulously documented the ancient construction methods—relying solely on oral tradition—using modern techniques like video, photography, interviews, and 3D modeling. The effort not only preserves a vanishing craft but also highlights the cultural and economic shifts that led to its decline, with the finished vessel set to be showcased at India’s new National Maritime Heritage Complex.
(PRESS RELEASE) EXETER, 24-Jan-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — In a remarkable effort to preserve disappearing craft traditions, experts from the University of Exeter, a public research university, have partnered with skilled boatbuilders in West Bengal, India, to reconstruct the once-celebrated chhot boat, a vessel renowned for its agility in estuarine waters. Once a dominant fishing craft, the chhot had faded into obscurity due to shifting environmental conditions and changing fishing practices.
For the first time in three decades, the Mondal family, master boatbuilders from the village of Dihimandalghat, revived this traditional craft using their unique construction techniques. Unlike modern shipbuilding, their process relies entirely on memory—without written plans or drawings. The chhot is built using a distinctive shell-led method, where the hull is formed first and fastened with small steel staples before internal framing is added.
Led by Professor John P. Cooper from the University of Exeter’s Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, the research team meticulously documented the month-long construction process using video, photography, interviews, and 3D modeling. Head builder Amol Mondal, supported by his brothers and their father Panchanan—who last built a chhot 30 years ago—led the intricate reconstruction, which culminated in the vessel’s launch on the Rupnarayan River in November 2023.
Reflecting on the project, Panchanan Mondal acknowledged the significance of the build, stating, “Chhot means ‘king of the waves.’ No matter how turbulent the waters, the chhot will sail with ease. But rising costs ended its production. I won’t build another—this was the last one.”
The documentation, including a feature-length documentary, has been archived in the British Museum’s open-access Endangered Material Knowledge Programme repository. The chhot itself will soon be housed at India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex in Gujarat, where it will serve as a testament to Bengal’s rich boatbuilding traditions when the museum opens in April 2025.
Professor Cooper emphasized the project’s broader impact, noting that it not only safeguards fading maritime craftsmanship but also raises awareness of traditional skills across India. The endeavor sparked significant interest within the local community and across Indian media, reinforcing the cultural and economic value of preserving such heritage.
Through extensive field research, the team also documented associated crafts vital to the boat’s construction, from nail-making at a local forge to timber processing at a sawmill. These insights further highlight the intricate ecosystem of skills that sustain traditional boatbuilding.
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First published in this link of EuropaWIRE.
