The Chinkara theatre of the naval base at Kochi has been transformed into a maritime museum. Commissioned on February 8, 1989 it showcases the maritime history of the country and provides a good insight into how the present-day Navy has evolved.

Welcoming the visitors to the museum are two saluting guns. A gleaming black life-size canoe, the typical Kerala fishing boat commonly called ‘vallam’ with a boatman takes centerstage in the museum. This boat, almost 300 years old belonging to the King of Ambalapuzha and carved out of a single tree, depicts the boat building style of that period. A model of the Sea King helicopter rests on a podium with the national flag and Naval ensign in the background. On either side of this, along the fore and aft line, are cubicles housing artefacts of the past.

One of the two cubicles describing the growth of Indian Navy gives a brief idea about the modern-day Navy, with a large picture of the first Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral RD Katari, drawing immediate attention. There are different corners depicting the history of Delhi, Mysore, Vikrant, Garuda and other major ships. The other cubicle shows ammunition and communication used in the Navy. On display is a model of a complete 6-inch Turret triple barrel gun and various communication equipment that were used in the Navy earlier.

‘Navy at War’ is the theme of another cubicle which depicts the 1971 war by way of a light and sound show. Navigation charts used during this war and pictures of ship movement in the Bay of Bengal are the highlights here.

The Maritime Heritage cubicle shows pictures of various objects from the Mohenjodaro culture. There are tools, pictures and notes on different techniques used in maritime activities during the days of Indus Valley civilization. There are some rare coastal charts providing a description of Dwarka, Shankhodhara and Lothal. There is also an extract of an ancient logbook.

Pictures of various types of boats of the Maratha Navy - Gurab, Galbat, Galbat Sadashiv, Pal, Phatemar (the cargo carrier) and the flagship of Shekhoji Angre— are displayed in the Heritage cubicle. There are also pictures of a naval battle and shipbuilding in the 19th century.

Historical events at sea and the impact of wars are depicted in two elaborate cubicles titled ‘influence of sea power’. Ezhimala, Malabar Coast chart of the 18th century, a tomb-stone from an English cemetery on Fort of Quilon, attack on Gheria Fort by British Armada in 1756, a stone describing Vasco-Da-Gama’s landing at Kappad, stories of Vijaydurg Fort, Khanderi Fort, Fort Janjira, Sindhudurg Fort and other maritime items are displayed here.

The naval action in the liberation of Goa, the saga of the submarine arm victory at Kargil and martime heritage of Kerala are on display at the museum. There are a number of crests on display besides gun barrels, ammunition and some navigation instruments used by the Navy earlier.