Chronological Systems of Gujarat

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

Page 56

THE MAITRAKA PERIOD
belong to some continuous era which is not specified therein.
As regards the identification of the unspecified era used in the Valabhi inscriptions several scholars discussed the problem and tried to identify this era with some of the different well-known eras of the ancient period.
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Finally it is established that the dates in the Maitraka records belong to the Valabhi Era specified in some post-Maitraka inscriptions in Saurashtra and noticed by Alberuni in his 'History of India'.
J. F. Fleet established that like the Gupta era, the Valabhi era also must be referred to the epoch of 319-20 A.C. or thereabouts, brought to notice by Alberuni and substanciated by the Verawal Inscription of Valabhi Samvat 945, giving equivalent years in other three eras.5
H. G. Shastri examined the problem of the Valabhi era in detail and established that the unspecified era in the Maitraka records is identical with the Valabhi era mentioned in the later records of Saurashtra and propounded that the Valabhi era cannot be assigned to any of the Maitraka kings of Valabhi since even the first ruler Bhaṭārka cannot be dated at the time of its commencement. His sons reigned as late as circa Samvat 235 of the Valabhi era.' In that case the Maitrakas must have adopted some era that was already current
5. Fleet, CII, Vol. III, pp. 65 ff.
6. H. G. Shastri, 'Valabhi Era,' IHQ, Vol. XXIV, pp. 238 ff. 7. The reign of the last son is to be dated somewhere between Samvat 226 and Sam. 240.