Project Mausam

Project Mausam is an initiative by the Indian Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India that aims to renew engagement between India and 39 countries along the Indian Ocean littoral. It comes at a time when China has been promoting its “Maritime Silk Road” initiative across the Indian Ocean region.

While the scope of Project Mausam is focused on reviving India’s own historical maritime connections, it has strategic significance amid China’s growing geopolitical influence through its maritime infrastructure projects.

Background

It focuses on India’s ancient maritime routes and cultural links with countries in the region, which were shaped by natural wind patterns enabling maritime trade.

Objectives

The key objectives of Project Mausam are:

Revive Historic Ties

To revive historic maritime and economic ties with the 39 countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

Bring Together Experts

To bring together historians and archaeological experts to document the diverse economic, social and cultural interactions between these countries over time.

Promote Maritime Research

To promote research on ancient maritime routes crisscrossing the Indian Ocean that were mapped by sailors based on wind patterns during 500-1000 AD.

Salient Features

Some salient features of Project Mausam are:

Nodal Agency

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) in New Delhi is the nodal agency implementing the project.

Support Bodies

The Archaeological Survey of India and National Museum are associate bodies supporting implementation.

Scope

It aims to reconnect communications between the 39 Indian Ocean countries that were linked by maritime trade routes.

Shared Cultural Heritage

It will elucidate the shared cultural heritage and values between these countries shaped by centuries of maritime interactions.

Activities

Project activities include:

Research Partnerships

Organizing international conferences to bring together research partners and institutes.

Data Collection

IGNCA gathering data from identified institutes and organizations related to historic port cities and maritime routes.

Site Marking

Identified sites will be marked for transnational nomination as UNESCO World Heritage.

Beneficiaries

The main beneficiaries are:

Indian Ocean Nations

India and other Indian Ocean countries can get more heritage sites on UNESCO list.

Historians

Historians can study these major port cities and maritime trading routes.

Local Populations

Increased tourism from world heritage sites designation will benefit local populations.

Significance

Project Mausam is significant because it will:

Connect Indian Ocean Nations

Strengthen connections between India and nations linked by centuries of maritime interactions.

Fill Gaps in Maritime Heritage

Redefine the cultural landscape by filling gaps in sites related to the shared maritime heritage.

Cross-Border Tourism

Boost cross-national heritage tourism along ancient maritime routes. By highlighting shared history, Project Mausam seeks to bring closer the cultural connections between India and Indian Ocean countries.