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THE CHRONOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF GUJARAT
GENERAL SURVEY The compilation and examination of the known dates pertaining to Gujarat from the Mauryan period to the Solanki period afford many hints about the different systems that prevailed in Gujarat during the different periods.
The use of definite eras in place of systems of regral years commenced in Gujarat with the Saka Era in the Kșatrapa period. It yielded place to the Gupta Era which was modified into the Valabhī Era and was commonly used in the greater part of Gujarat throughout the Maitraka period. In South Gujarat, the Kalachuri Era was in vogue by this time.
The post-Maitraka period witnessed the simultaneous prevalence of several eras including the Gupta and Valabhi Eras of the previous period. By this time the Saka Era got introduced by the Rāștrakūtas who hailed from the south, while the Vikrama era became rather familiar under the influence of the imperial Pratihāras.
The credit of giving an universal adoption to the Vikrama era in Gujarat where it is current as the • regional era till to-day goes to the Solanki kingdom. Among the old eras the Valabhi era and the Saka Era survived to some extent, while new eras like the Simha era commenced and ended during this period. The Hijrī era also appears during this period. But taken as a whole, it was the Vikrama Saṁvat that has held the ground in Gujarat for all practical purposes till present times?. 1. R. K. Trivedi, Fairs and Festivals of Gujarat, p. 48
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