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Shaka Samvat


The Shaka era (IAST: Śaka era) is a historical calendar era, corresponding to Julian year 78. It is also known as Shalivahana Śaka era or rtgsMahasakkarat "Greater Era").

The origin of the Shaka era is highly controversial. In ancient Sanskrit literature, the word "Shaka" refers to foreigners who invaded and ruled north-western India. One theory is that the era was started by a Shaka ruler; later legends state that it was started by an Indian king (Shalivahana or Vikramaditya) to mark the defeat of the Shakas.

The beginning of the Shaka era is now widely equated to the ascension of the Shaka Western Satrap ruler Chashtana in 78 CE. His inscriptions, dated to the years 11 and 52, have been found at Andhau in Kutch region. These years are interpreted as Shaka years 11 (89 CE) and 52 (130 CE).

A previously more common view was that the beginning of the Shaka era corresponds to the ascension of Kanishka I in 78 CE. However, the latest research by Henry Falk indicates that Kanishka ascended the throne in 127 CE. Moreover, Kanishka was not a Shaka, but a Kushana ruler. Other historical candidates have included rulers such as Vima Kadphises, Vonones, and Nahapana.

According to historian Dineshchandra Sircar, the historically inaccurate notion of "Shalivahana era" appears to be based on the victory of the Satavahana ruler Gautamiputra Satakarni over some Shaka (Western Kshatrapa) kings. Sircar also suggests that the association of the northern king Vikramaditya with Vikrama era (also historically inaccurate) might have led the southern scholars to fabricate a similar legend of their own. Another similar account claims that the legendary emperor Vikramaditya defeated the Shakas in 78 CE, and the Shaka era marks the day of this conquest. This legend has been mentioned in the writings of Brahmagupta (7th century CE), Al-Biruni (973-1048 CE), and others. However, this is an obvious fabrication. Over time, the word "Shaka" became generic, and came to be mean "an era"; the era thus came to be known as "Shalivahana Shaka".


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