2016-10-03 Mon

Everything in the universe is moving in a constant flow. The concept of time according to the movement of moon was well understood by people of ancient India even without telescopes and satellite.

Each new calendar system embarks a new era in history. There are several calendar traditions followed in ancient India by different Emperors which are also known from their coins. Coins with dates inscribed on it, is an excellent tool for reconstruction of absolute chronology of dynasties.

Saka Era is the most popular one, it is thought to be started by Kushana King Kanishka in 78 C.E., but based on new finding some historians now argue against it. The coins of Kardamaka ruler Rudrasimha are considered to be the first dated coins of India which used Saka Era.

Vikram Era, known to us as Vikram Samvat era, was developed in India. The king associated with Vikram Samant is also shrouded in controversies. According to popular tradition, the legendary king Vikramaditya of Ujjain established the Vikram era after defeating the ?akas. The modern coins of Nepal are dated according to this era, which started in 57 B.C. While converting 1298 Vikram Era into Common Era, 57 is deducted from 1298 (1298 - 57 = 1241 C.E.)

Vallabhi Era commemorates the event when Chandragupta-I of Gupta dynasty ascended to the throne in 319-320 AD. The Valabhi kings were feudatories of the Guptas and they might have used it as an era of their overlords. Dr. Fleet has treated with this at length and has established that beginning of this era is Saka era 242, which means 242 +78 = 320 AD. The first year of the Gupta Era may be taken as February 26, 320 AD to March 13, 321 AD, of which the first date is coronation of Chandragupta.

Kalachuri Era commemorates a ruler of South Indian Kalachuri dynasty. It started in 248 CE and is not in vogue currently. This Era was a Hindu system of year numbering started by the Abhira King Isvarasena. It was first used in Gujarat and Maharashtra, from where it spread to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh where it was used until the 13th century CE.

There are many more calendar system followed during different spokes of time!

Each coin is a vast ocean of knowledge. To dive deeper into the subject Click here