Chronological Systems of Gujarat

SR No.: 006798
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Bharati K Shelat
Publisher: Pranav Shelat
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 422
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 6 MB

Page 44

THE PERIOD OF THE WESTERN KSATRAPAS
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The Saka era commenced on the 1st lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month Caitra. The years of this era are Caitrādi all over India, but the system of months is different in North and South India. In North India the months are Pūrņimānta, but in South India the moths are Amānta.31 As the week-days are not expressed in the inscriptions of the Western Kșatrapas, we are unable to determine whether the system of months in the Saka era used in Gujarat during this period was Pūrņimānta or Amānta.
(ii) The Kathika Era
Archaeological excavations conducted at a mound near the village of Devni-Mori situated in the vicinity of Shāmalājī in Sabarkantha District, reveal the remains of an old Buddhist Stūpa.
In course of subsequent excavations a stone casket was unearthed from the interior of the drum at a depth of about 4 metres from the top. The main body of the casket bears an inscription which records an account of the construction of the stūpa and the installation of the casket therein. It clearly indicates that the great stūpa was erected during the reign of King Śrī Rudrasena on the 5th day of Bhadrapada in the year 127 of the Kathika Kings.32 This reference raises a new problem in
31. G. H. Ojha, Bhāratīya Pracin Lipimālā, p. 173. But in the
areas of the South where the solar months are used, the year
begins from the Meșasaņkrānti and the months are solar. 32. Sapta(pta)vinsatyadhike Kathika--nfpāņām Samāgarebdaśate Bha
(Bnā drapadapancamadine Nr parau Sri Rūdrasene ca (V. 2) (JOI., 1965, Vol. XIV, p. 336).