Chronological Systems of Gujarat

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

Page 71

THE CHRONOLOGICAL SYSTEMS OF GUJARAT
before the day on which the grant was issued.52 From this the year is found to be Caitrādi and expired, but we get no indication about the scheme of months as the lunar day given therein belongs to the bright fortnight.
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It is only one date (No. 1) which consists of all the necessary data including the week-day. The given tithi (the full-moon day of Caitra of the Saka year 531) corresponds to 26th of March 609 A.C. the day falling on Wednesday. The year is found to be Caitrādi, but the years of the Saka era are invariably Caitrādi in all the states where lunar months are in vogue.53 As the lunar day belongs to the bright fortnight, it gives. no indication as to whether the months of the Saka era used in Gujarat during the Maitraka period were Amanta or Pūrṇimānta.54
As noticed above the Saka era was in vogue in Gujarat during the Kṣatrapa period (cir. 78 to 400 A.C.) but it remained extinct for about two centuries thereafter. It is again found to be in use to a small extent in Gujarat since the beginning of the 7th cent. A.C. This gives rise to an investigation into the circumstances. which led to the re-emergence of the Saka era in Gujarat during this period.
52. Tula samkrānți occurred several days after this day in S.E. 679 current (S.E. 678 expired).
53. In the areas of the South where solar months are in use, the year begins from the Mesa-Samkranti of the Sun (D.C. Sircar, IE. p. 266).
54. The months of the Saka era appear to be Purnimanta in North India and Amanta in South India (Ojha, PI., p. 173; D.C. Sircar, IE., p. 266).