TheShaka era (IAST:Śaka, Śāka) also known asShali Vahana (S.V) is a historical Hinducalendar era (year numbering), theepoch (its year zero) of which corresponds to 78 CE. The Shaka era uses expired, elapsed, or complete years, where a year must have elapsed before it can be counted. This is similar to the Western method of determining a person's age, whose first year must have been completed before that person reaches one year old. The uncounted first year of the era is numbered as year zero.[1]
The era has been widely used in different regions of theIndian subcontinent as well as inSoutheast Asia. According to theGovernment of India, it is referred as theShalivahana Era (IAST:Śālivāhana).
The origin of the Shaka era is highly controversial.[2] There are two Shaka era systems in scholarly use, one is calledOld Shaka Era, whose epoch is uncertain, probably sometime in the 1st millennium BCE because ancient Buddhist and Jainainscriptions and texts use it, but this is a subject of dispute among scholars.
By comparing eclipses mentioned in inscriptions, Vedveer Arya (researcher of Indian history and MA in Sanskrit) has argued that the Old Shaka Era began with the beginning of the reign of the first Shaka king and that it began in 582 BC.[3]
The other is calledShaka Era of 78 CE, or simplyShaka Era, a system that is common in epigraphic evidence from southern India. A parallel northern India system is theVikrama Era, which is used by theVikrami calendar linked to Vikramaditya.[4]
The beginning of the Shaka era is now widely equated to the ascension ofIndo-Scythian kingChashtana in 78 CE.[5][1] His inscriptions, dated to the years 11 and 52, have been found at Andhau inKutch region. These years are interpreted as Shaka years 11 (89 CE) and 52 (130 CE).[6] A previously more common view was that the beginning of the Shaka era corresponds to the ascension ofKanishka I in 78 CE.[2] However, the latest research by Henry Falk indicated thatKanishka ascended the throne in 127 CE.[7] Moreover, Kanishka was not a Shaka, but aKushana ruler.[8] Other historical candidates have included rulers such asVima Kadphises,Vonones, andNahapana.[8]
According to historianDineshchandra Sircar, the historically inaccurate notion of "Shalivahana era" appears to be based on the victory of theSatavahana rulerGautamiputra Satakarni over some Shaka (Western Kshatrapa) kings. Sircar also suggested that the association of the northern king Vikramaditya withVikrama era might have led the southern scholars to fabricate a similar legend.[9] Another similar account claims that the emperorShalivahana,[10][11] grandson of 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 ofBrahmagupta (7th century CE),Al-Biruni (973–1048 CE), and others. However, it is an obvious fabrication.[2] Over time, the word "Shaka" became generic, and came to be mean "an era"; the era thus came to be known as "Shalivahana Shaka".[12]
The earliest known users of the era are theWestern Satraps, theShaka (Indo-Scythian) rulers ofUjjain. From the reign ofRudrasimha I (178–197), they recorded the date of minting of their coins in the Shaka era, usually written on the obverse behind the king's head inBrahmi numerals.[13]
The use of the calendar era survived into theGupta period and became part ofHindu tradition following thedecline of Buddhism in the Indian subcontinent. It was in widespread use by the 6th to 7th centuries, e.g. in the works ofVarāhamihira andBrahmagupta, and by the 7th century also appears in epigraphy inHindu Southeast Asia.
The calendar era remained in use in India and Southeast Asia throughout the medieval period, the main alternative era in traditional Hindu timekeeping being theVikram Samvat era (56 BC). It was used by Javanese courts until 1633, when it was replaced byAnno Javanico, a hybrid Javanese-Islamic system.[14] It continues to be used in theBalinese saka calendar. It was adopted as the era of theIndian national calendar (also known as "Śaka calendar") in 1957.
The Shaka epoch is thevernal equinox of the year AD 78. The year of the official Shaka Calendar is tied to theGregorian date of 22 March every year, except in Gregorian leap years when it starts on 21 March. The Lunisolar Shalivaahana Saka continues to be used widely in Southern and Western India for many religious and some secular purposes such as sowing and agriculture.
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