Boats barely sail in the sea now. But in the sea waters surrounding Bengal, they were once a common sight. Called chhot, the boat had the ability to cut across the waters, ride the waves, and move fast. The V-shaped chhot could sit with ease on the water, and at the same time cut through it to move ahead swiftly. While the waves of time, drew the chhot out of waters, it is being brought back in reckoning, as a component of the maritime history of India.