The Beypore Uru, the iconic handcrafted wooden ship of Kerala, represents one of the oldest surviving traditions of indigenous shipbuilding in the world. Built at Beypore, a historic port town near Kozhikode on the banks of the Chaliyar River, these massive ocean-going vessels—also known as wooden dhows—symbolise Kerala’s long maritime history and its deep-rooted trade links with the Arabian Peninsula and beyond.
 |
| Model of Kerala's traditional handcrafted sailing boat Uru,.amazon.in |
Beypore was an important harbour as early as the first century CE, when merchants from Arabia, Mesopotamia, and the Mediterranean frequented the Malabar Coast for spices, timber, and textiles. Arab traders, impressed by the durability and seaworthiness of these vessels, patronised local shipbuilders and popularised the Uru across the Indian Ocean trade network. Over centuries, Beypore emerged as a specialised centre for building large wooden ships capable of long sea voyages, making it a vital node in the historic spice and silk routes.
 |
| Dhow (Uru) in Kozhikode.thehindu.com |
Above image: 2000 years of Tradition. Hand crafted wooden Dhow (Uru) built at Beypore in Kozhikode...........
 |
| Uru, Kerala, top of the deck heroadsandbeyond.com |
 |
| handcrafted ocean going ship, Beypore, Kerala |
 |
| Kerala, GI tag for Beypore uru. vajiramias.com |
The shipbuilding tradition is sustained by close-knit artisan communities, notably the Odayis and Mappila Khalasis, many of whom are Mappila Muslims. Their expertise in hull design, buoyancy, and balance has been passed down orally through generations. The Khalasis are also renowned for the dramatic launching of Urus into the river—a spectacle that draws large crowds and reflects skills honed over nearly 2,000 years.
 |
| Largest handcrafted wooden boat uru,Kerala himalayasia.com |
Today, around 500 families in and around Beypore depend on this heritage industry. However, the tradition faces challenges from dwindling demand, ageing artisans, and competition from mechanised shipbuilding. Recognising its cultural and historical value, the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Kozhikode, applied in December 2022 for a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the Beypore Uru with the GI Registry in Chennai. The application highlights the Uru as a symbol of Kerala’s indigenous maritime technology and its enduring friendship with Gulf countries.
 |
| handcrafted wooden ship, Beypore, Kerala uasatish.com |
Granting a GI tag would not only protect the authenticity of Beypore Urus but also provide global recognition, economic support, and renewed interest in preserving this remarkable maritime heritage—one that continues to float on tradition, skill, and collective memory rather than modern machines. Text based on:
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2023/10/beypore-uru-traditional-age-old.html (that transported Spices and silk
https://navrangindia.blogspot.com/2023/10/beypore-uru-wooden-dhow-of-kerala.html (Beypore Uru -- wooden dhow of Kerala Geographical Indication (GI) Tag was sought!!*)
https://vajiramias.com/current-affairs/beypore-uru/639ac002bb1b9a05cf420792/
https://www.keralatourism.org/photo-gallery/uru-beypore/2571
https://himalayasia.com/the-urus-of-beypore-the-worlds-largest-handcrafted-wooden-boats
Author: K.N. Jayaraman
(Revised and Modified January 02, 2026)
.jpg)
 of Kerala - Active in the Colonial Period){kind=link}