UPSC CSE Pre 1997

Historical Eras and Calendars

Authentic Past Paper Standard Evaluation

The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be:

Solution & Analysis

Answer: A

Concept Historical dates in India use various eras like Saka (starting 78 CE) and Vikrama (starting 57 BCE). Converting between them requires calculating the relative difference in their starting points.

Explanation The difference between the Saka and Vikrama eras is years. To convert Saka to Vikrama Samvat, the base formula is .

Logical Breakup

Logic 1: Applying the formula: .

Logic 2: Accounting for the monthly alignment (Saka begins in March/Chaitra and Vikrama in April/Kartika or Chaitra depending on the region), an additional year is often added to find the corresponding current year in the Vikrama cycle, leading to 601.

Active Recall

Question

What is the primary difference in the starting points of Saka and Vikrama eras?

Answer

The Vikrama Era starts in 57 BCE, while the Saka Era starts in 78 CE, creating a 135-year gap.

Core Insight

Conversion isn't just simple addition; the starting months of various regional Samvats can create a +1 year variation in historical records.

The Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be:

Solution & Analysis

Active Recall

Core Insight

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