Context:
India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat.
About National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC)
The NMHC is a flagship cultural and heritage initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aimed at presenting India’s 4,500–5,000-year-old maritime legacy through a world-class museum and cultural complex.
- Location:
Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat - Nodal Ministry:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW)
About Lothal
- Location:
- Lothal, near Ahmedabad, Gujarat
- Cultural Context:
- Part of the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization landscape
Excavation:
- Excavated in 1957 by the Archaeological Survey of India
- Dates back to around 2400 BCE
Key Importance:
- Site of the world’s earliest known man-made dockyard, highlighting advanced maritime planning and trade in ancient India
