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488 B.C. AS THE DATE OF MAHAVIRA NIRVÂNA*
Palaka ..
Nandas ..
Mauryas ..
7
The traditional chronology of the Svetambara sect of the Jains given in Tapagachha Pattavali and Merutunga's Vicarsreni, which has been made familiar by scholars like Buhler, Jacobi and Charpentier, puts Mahâvîra Nirvana 470 years before the Vikrama era. As the beginning of the Vikrama era synchronises with 58 B.C. these traditions will give 528 B.C. as the date of Mahâvîra Nirvana. These traditions record that Mahâvîra died on the same night as Palaka was anointed king in Avanti, and 470 years between Mahâvîra Nirvana and the commencement of the Vikrama era are made up of the reign-periods of the following kings and dynasties :
Pusyamitra..
Balamitra and Bhanumitra
Nahavana
Gardabhila..
Sakas ..
-H.C. Seth
Years
60
155
108
30
60
40
13
4
470
After the Sakas in Merutunga's Vicarsreni we have 135 years assigned to Vikramaditya and his dynasty after which, or 605 years after Mahâvîra Nirvana comes the Saka King who displaces the dynasty of Vikramaditya.
* Proceedings of the Indian history congress, Sixth Session, 26-28 December, 1943.
