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

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THE CHRONOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF GUJARAT dynasty and that the first year of this era was counted from the first regnal year of that king's accession16. The first two members of the early Gupta family, Śrī Gupta and Śrī Ghatotkaca who preceded Candragupta I had not the authority to establish an era, as they held only the feudatory rank of Mahārāja.17
As regards the epoch of the Gupta era, it is wellknown that the epoch of this era is ascribed to 319-20 A.C. equivalent to Saka 241. expired, and now it is universally accepted as the true and exact epoch.18 The years of this era are past years, whenever they are mentioned “Vartamāna' (current), they mean the year next to the expired year19. The zero (current) year of this era corresponds to the period from the 9th March, 319 A.C. to the 25th Feb., 320 A.C.20 and the first current year corresponds to the period from the 26th Feb., 320 A.C. to the 15th Mar., 321 A.C. To
16. D.C. Sircar states, 'It is not at all impossible that the era
started from the first regnal year of Sri Gupta, Gatotkacha or Samudragupta who were respectively the grandfather, father
and son of Chandragupta l' (IE, p. 287). 17. In the same way the era cannot have been established by any
member of the Maitraka family as the dynasty of the Maitrakas
started after circa samvat 250. (Fleet, CII, Vol. III, p. 130). 18. It is generally assumed that the well-known Gupta era com
menced on Feb. 26th, 320 A.C. [R. C. Majumdar (Gen. Ed.),
Classical Age, p. 4). 19. R. G. Bhandarkar, Early History of the Deccan, Appendix A;
R.B. Pandey, Indian Palaeography, p. 208; P. L. Gupta, Gupta
Sāmrajya, p. 200. 20. Fleet, CII, Vol. III. p. 127