A joint maritime expedition has successfully identified the ruins of a submerged Chola-era naval outpost off the coast of the Nicobar Islands. Using high-resolution sonar and underwater drones, the team located stone jetties and the foundations of a massive granite storehouse, confirming the strategic reach of the Chola Navy during the 9th century CE.
The outpost appears to have served as a critical refueling and repair station for merchant fleets traveling between the Coromandel Coast and the Srivijaya Empire. Artifacts recovered from the seabed include granite anchors and specialized iron clamps used in ship construction, showcasing the advanced maritime engineering of the period.