Chronological Systems of Gujarat

Author(s): Bharati K Shelat
Publisher: Pranav Shelat

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inscriptions, earthenware inscriptions" and coin legends92. They record dates about various events such as the construction of temples, forts, step-wells etc., victories of kings, glorification of patrons and donors, grants of land, installation of images, endowments of amounts, utensils etc., and issue of coins. The early epigraphs93 of Gujarat date as back as the Mauryan period,94 but they are dated simply in years which are found to be regnal years of the respective rulers. The subsequent dates in inscriptions are generally given in years of certain continuous eras. Though the names of the different eras are not specified in the records, they have been identifiable on the basis of comparative chronology95. Many of the later records specify the eras by their particular names. A few dates are expressed in terms of corresponding years of several eras. Many of the dates consist of years, months, fortnights and lunar days. The inclusion of the week-day in some of the records dated since the 8 th century, supplies a very helpful factor for determining the system of the commencement of the year as well as the completion of the lunar month. Some dates also contain references to seasons, parvans, 91. Vala Earthernware inscription of Guhasena dated (Valabhi) year
247 (565-66 A.C.) (IA Vol. XIV, p.75) 92. The coins of only certain early dynasties bear dates, while those
of the later dynasties are rare and undated. 93. The legends on the Harappan seals found in Gujarat are here
excluded, as the legends have not been still deciphered and as
the seals are assigned to proto-historic times. 94. The earliest epigraphic records of the historical period in Gujarat
belong to the reign of the Mauryan king Aśoka (cir.B.C. 273-232). 95. These dates commenced from the 2nd cent. A.C.