Rudder in Indian Boats
Abstract
The earliest form of rudder was simply an oar or paddle which was used to propel the stern of the boat in a sideways direction, or in other words turn the boat’s steering direction from a right ahead path. The rudder is known as the ‘Sukkan’ all over the North Indian Ocean region. When the rudder at the stern came into practice in the Indian waters is not definitely known, but it is believed that even the early forms of rudder came to be used in late mediaeval period, probably, around the thirteenth century.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Global Maritime and Colonial Histories
Maritime and Coastal Archaeology
Historical Studies and Socio-cultural Analysis
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 292–294
- Publication date
- 4 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter