Chronological Systems of Gujarat

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

Page 60

THE MAITRAKA PERIOD
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month according to the new Minādi rule could be named Mārgasira after the preceeding month according to the old Meșādi rule. This means that the almanacs of Valabhi followed the old Meşādi rule for naming the lunar months.
(iii) The Vala grant of Śīlāditya III17 records "Second Āşādha'in (Valabhī) Sam. 343. So there must have been an intercalation of Aşādha in 662 or thereabout. The editor of the edict does not discuss the system of intercalation. There was an intercalary Āsādha in 662 A.C. according to the tables of true intercalation. But if Valabhī followed the system of mean intercalation as testified by Kaira grant of 330, this date also must apply to that system. The tables of mean intercalation mention intercalary Șrāvaņa in 662 A.C. which may be named Așādha according to the old Meşādi rule. Thus this date applies to the system of mean intercalation as well.18
(iv) The Jesar Copper edict of Sīlāditya III"9 records ‘Second Paușa’ in (Valabhī) Sam. 357. The intercalation of Paușa gives further evidence for the use of mean intercalation in the Valabhī kingdom. In the tables of mean intercalation this Pausa corresponds to intercalary Māgha of 675 A.C. which may be named Pausa according to the Meşādi rule.20
17. MG, Part I, Appendix I, No. 63; CG, p. 179 18. H. G. Shastri, 'The Valabhi Era' (IHQ, Vol. XXIV, p. 239), 19. MG, Appendix I, No. 71; CG, p. 183 20. H. G. Shastri, op. cit., p. 239