Chronological Systems of Gujarat

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

Page 96

THF POST-MAITRAKA PERIOD
The epoch and origin of this era are already discussed above.
As regards the system of its years, the years of the Saka era are always Caitrādi and the year usually commences with Caitra Śu.26
As regards the system of months, it may be noted that only one of the known Saka dates of this period contains the week-day, which falling in the bright fortnight, throws no light on the system of the completion of months. However, two other factors enable us to determine the system. All the three known dates of solar eclipses tally with the names of the corresponding months according to the Amānta and not the Pūrņimānta system of months. Similarly the date mentioned as marking the so called commencement of the Uttarāyana in a grant of the Saka year 789 (867 A.C.) also falls within the specified month only according to the Amânia system. This leads us to the conclusion that the months used in the saka dates of this period were usually Amânta. The change-over from the Pūrụimānta system to the Amānta system in Gujarat appears for the first time in the Saka dates of the post-Maitraka period. Presumably' it owes its origin to the Deccan from where the saka era got introduced into Gujarat through the Rāșțrakūța kings.
The mention of the name of the Samvatsara along with the number of the year appears in the known records of Gujarat, for the first time during this period. These appellations belong to a cycle of sixty Bārhaspatya (Jovian) years. But there are a number of different :26. Ojha, Bhāratīya Prācīna Lipimālā, p. 173.