Chronological Systems of Gujarat

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

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THE CHRONOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF GUJARAT
reference occurs in Pancasiddhāntikā by Varāhamihira25, while in the Deccan it appears in the Badāmi Inscription of Pulakesin 126. From this time the Saka era is found to be pre-eminently in vogue in works on Jyotisa, and Ujjain was regarded to be the choice site of mean longitude, in these works.
According to the reckoning of the era as fixed by the early astronomers and corroborated by its current reckoning, the true epech of the Saka era is 77–78 A. C.27 The first current year of the era corresponds to the period from the 3rd March, 78 A. C. to the 20th February, 79 A. C.28 However, in Northern and Western India, the era is regulated by expired years." According to this system the period from the 3rd March, 78 A. C. to the 20th February, 79 A. C. marks the year zero of the Saka era, while the first (expired) year corresponds to the period from 21st February, 79 A.C. to the 10th March, 80 A.C. To obtain the (current) Christian year equivalent to the (expired) Saka year, we have, therefore, to add 78–79 to the latter 30 In the absence of determinative data it is not possible to asscertain whether the Šaka years used in Gujarat during the Kșatrapa period, were current or expired. 25. G. H. Ojha, Bharatiya Prācin Lipimālā, p. 171 26. D. C. Sircar, IE., p. 259, f. n. 2 27. JA., Vol. XVII, p. 208 28. Ibid., p. 208 29. The system of current years is preserved to the present day in
Madras State (Fleet, CII., Vol. III, p. 141). 30. From the 1st lunar day of the bright fortnight of the month
Caitra to the 31st of December we have to add 78 and from the 1st January to the 15th luonar day of the dark fortnight of Phälguna we have to add 79.