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THE CHRONOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF GUJARAT
inscriptions of the succeeding period in South Gujarat seem dated in this era.
24
36
In later times it got known as the Kalacuri or Cedi Era; but its original name remains unknown. On ascribing its origin to the Abhiras, Dr. Mirashi designates it as the Abhira Era for earlier times.25
Dr. Mirashi has discussed the problem of the Kalacuri-Cedi era at length.26 Therein he has established that the early dates of the Kalacuri era, found in Gujarat and its neighbourhood, must be ascribed to the epoch 248-49 A.C. and that the first current year of this era commenced on 25th September, 249 A.C. corresponding to the first day of the bright half of Amanta Kārttika.27 As for the origin of this era he has suggested that it seems to have commenced with the reign of the Abhīra king Īśvarasena, whose inscription dated year 9 is found at Nasik. Mirashi regards Iśvarasena as the founder of the Abhira dynasty and supposes that the era was apparently continued by his successors of whom as many as nine reigned 24. The era is not specified in the inscriptions, but it is identified with the Kalacuri-Cedi era of the later period.
The phrase Cediśasya Sam, occurs in the date 831 of No. 76, Cedi Samvat in the dates 919 and 933 of nos. 98 and 100 and Cedi-dista in the date 902 of No. 58. The expression Kalacuri Samvatsara is noticed in the dates 885, 893, 896, 898 and 910 of Nos. 122, 87, 88, 110, 95 respectively (CII, Vol. IV, P. II, p. 22, f. n. 2).
25. Dr. V. V. Mirashi, CII, Vol. IV, nos. 58, 87, 88, 95, 110 and 122 for Kalacuri Era; nos. 98 and 100 for Cedi Era.
26. CII, Vol. IV, Intro. pp. 1 to 30
27. Ibid., pp. 11 to 14
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