India and Netherlands Join Hands to Preserve 4,500-Year-Old Port City Lothal

New Delhi: India and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to preserve the maritime heritage of Lothal, one of India’s oldest port cities located in Gujarat. The agreement marks a major step towards establishing the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) in Lothal, with collaboration from the National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam.

The MoU, signed during bilateral talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Dutch Foreign Minister David Van Weel, aims to leverage mutual expertise in museum planning, design, and heritage preservation. The partnership will facilitate joint exhibitions, collaborative research, cultural exchange programs, and initiatives to enhance visitor engagement and educational outreach.

Lothal to Emerge as a Major Tourism Hub

This collaboration will not only help conserve India’s ancient maritime legacy but also transform Lothal into a prominent tourist destination. The partnership encourages innovative approaches to visitor participation, education, and public outreach, ensuring a rich and interactive museum experience for audiences from around the world.

Ancient Maritime Significance of Lothal

Situated near the Gulf of Khambhat, between the Bhogavo and Sabarmati rivers, Lothal is 4,500 years old and a testament to the advanced urban planning of the Indus Valley Civilization, similar to Mohenjo-Daro. The city featured streets intersecting at right angles, a well-developed drainage system, and a rectangular basin identified as a dockyard, highlighting the maritime activities of the Harappan people.

The National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal, supported by both India and the Netherlands, is expected to showcase this rich history to the world, making Lothal a key center for cultural tourism and a window into India’s ancient maritime prowess.