An underwater archaeological survey off the coast of West Bengal has identified the remains of a 3rd-century BCE maritime port dating back to the Nanda Dynasty. Divers located massive stone mooring rings and the foundations of basalt-lined warehouses submerged ten meters deep. The discovery confirms that the pre-Mauryan empires of India were already engaged in significant oceanic trade with Southeast Asia.
Artifacts recovered from the site include iron anchors and shards of Northern Black Polished Ware, indicating the port's role as a major terminal for luxury goods. This is the first Nanda-era port infrastructure ever identified in the region.