Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jens Nordlunde · 24th January 2016, 03:59 PM

Richard,
A Google search for Vikram Samvat says:
"The Vikram era, or Vikram samvat is an Indian calendar starting in 57 BC. The date is supposed to show when the King Vikramāditya beat the Sakas, who had invaded Ujjain. A new calendar was started just to honor this time."

When you look at dates inscriped on weapons most of the dates are in VS, but you can not always be sure, although the era is mostly given in the inscription. As the VS year doesn't start on January 1st you have to add not 57 years but 56-57 years.
I wonder how many of these old eras are still used. Does anyone know?

24th January 2016, 03:59 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	Richard, A Google search for Vikram Samvat says: "The Vikram era, or Vikram samvat is an Indian calendar starting in 57 BC. The date is supposed to show when the King Vikramāditya beat the Sakas, who had invaded Ujjain. A new calendar was started just to honor this time." When you look at dates inscriped on weapons most of the dates are in VS, but you can not always be sure, although the era is mostly given in the inscription. As the VS year doesn't start on January 1st you have to add not 57 years but 56-57 years. I wonder how many of these old eras are still used. Does anyone know?