02.5. TABLE OF ERAs

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TABLE OF ERAS

Collectors of Indian Numismatic items do find different dates on coins, medals, tokens, badges etc. Many a time these dates are written in different Eras. Here. we have tried to give comparative date tables, so that collectors can immediately place them in the corresponding date of the required Era.

1. The Hijari Era was introduced by Muhammadans and was used on coins by Sultans of Delhi, and other Muhammadan dynasties including Mughals. The Era commenced in A.D. 622, the year connected with Muhammad’s flight from Mecca to Madina. Subtracting 622 from the Christian year and then adding 3% to the resulting figure can achieve a short, but fairly accurate, conversion of Christian year to Hijari year. 
   e.g. A.D. 1943 – 622 = 1321 add 1321 x 0.03 = 1361
   
2. Vikram Samvat was introduced in 57 B.C. and hence if 57 is deducted from Vikram Samvat year we get Christian year. e.g. V.S. 2054 – 57 = A.D. 1997.
3. The Saka Samvat or Era commenced in B.C. 78 during Saka Kshatrap Nahpan’s time. By adding 78 to Saka year, we get Christian year. e.g. Saka 1752 + 78 = A.D. 1830.
4. The Fasli Era is introduced to match with ‘Fasal’ i.e. crop. The Hijari Era had a lunar calendar and hence it did not correspond with the natural crop seasons. The Era was introduced into the Maratha Region in 1637-38. To convert the Fasli year to the Christian it is necessary to add 590 e.g. Fasli year 1250 + 590 = A.D. 1840.
   

HIJARI A.H.

CHRISTIAN A.D.

VIKRAM SAMVAT

SAKA SAMVAT

FASL