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Calendars in India
See also      Calendar;     Calendar-History;     Hindu Lunar Calendar;      Vaar
[The following write ups have been taken from Indian Astrology Group, by Arun Upadhyay]

(1) Srishti Samvat
Creation cycle is called a Kalp or 1 day of Brahmaa of 432 crore years. Out of that period 198 crore years have passed. Since then, planets are moving in current orbit around the Sun. There are bigger periods like life of Brahmaa of 72,000 such day-nights (his 100 years). His life is 1 day of Vishnu, Vishnu’s life is 1 day of Shiv. The Largest period is Paraa Shakti when elementary particles decay (called Proton decay now).

Currently, 50 years of Brahmaa's life have passed, in next year, day (Kalp) 1 is running. Al Baroonee has quoted Vishnu Dharmottar Puraan to indicate that his 8 years, 5 months, 4 days, 6 Manvantar, 7 Samadhee, 27 Chatur-Yug, and 3 Yug of the twenty-eighth Chatur-Yug, and 10 Divya years had passed till Ashwamedh yagya of Vajra.

(2) Swaayambhuv Manu - 29,102 BC-26,000 years before start of Kali (3102 BC). He was first Brahmaa or Adam of Bible. This period has been called a Manvantar in Brahmaand Puraan, 1/2/9
स्वां तनुं स तदा ब्रह्मा समपोहत भास्वराम् । द्विधा कृत्वा स्वकं देहमर्द्धेन पुरुषोऽभवत्॥३२॥
स वै स्वायम्भुवः पूर्वम् पुरुषो मनुरुच्यते॥३६॥ तस्यैक सप्तति युगं मन्वन्तरमिहोच्यते॥३७॥
ब्रह्माण्ड पुराण (१/२/२९)-षड्विंशति सहस्राणि वर्षाणि मानुषाणि तु।
वर्षाणां युगं ज्ञेयं दिव्यो ह्येष विधिः स्मृतः॥१९॥

(3) Kashyap (17,500 BC) - another Brahmaa, Fan of China, first Buddha.

(4) Kaarttikeya (15,800 BC) - Year started from Sun in Dhanishthaa after North Pole had moved away from Abhijit (Mahaabhaarat, Van Parv, 230/8-10)

(5) Vaivaswat Manu - 13,902 BC - Start of year from spring equinox - Chaitra month. Glacial floods 10,000-9,500 BC. Yug cycle started with Satya Yug of 4,800 Divine years.

(6) Rishabh Dev - 9500 BC (approximately). Revision of Soorya Siddhaant in 9233 BC by Mayaasur 900 West from Ujjain (Alpa = 131 years before end of Satya Yug).

(7) Ikshwaaku - from 1-11-8576 BC (Chaitra Shukla Pratipadaa) - Dr. Mahaalingam.

(8) King Baahu killed by Dionysus in 6777 BC. Parashuraam (Kalamba = Kollam) - 6177 BC.

(9) Yudhishthir Shak - from 17-12-3139 BC, Bheeshm expired 5 days after that on start of Uttaraayan on 22 December on Maagh Shukla Ashtamee. Kali era started on 17-2-3102 BC, Wednesday, Ujjain midnight on death of Shree Krishna. Civil month from Chaitra Shukla 1 started on 20 after 2 days 2-27-30 hours. It was Vijaya Samvatsar by Soorya Siddhaant and Pramaathī by Pitaamaha Siddhaant followed in South India. Jayaabhyudaya Shak after 6 months and 11 days (188 days on 24-8-3102 BC when Jaya Samvatsar started (North system) and Paandav went for Abhyudaya. On death of Yudhishthir in Kali year 25 (3076 BC), Laukik era started in Kashmeer - when Saptarshi left Maghaa star. Refs in Mahaabhaarat, Bhaagavat, all texts on astronomy, all Panchaang. Jayaabhyudaya - Shak has been used in inscriptions of Janamejaya about his Daan Pattaa of 27-11-3014 BC on occasion of solar eclipse (Paush Amaavasyaa) after large murders in Sarp Yagya. His words of proclamation were used by all Paandu Vanshee Kings of Orissa ruling after end of their rule in Hastinaapur/Koshaambee. One of their branch was Maurya of Muraa-Shaasan, later ruling as Maurya.
कलैर्गतैर्सायक नेत्र (२५) वर्षैः युधिष्ठिराद्यास्त्रिदिवं प्रयाताः ।
This verse of Raaj Taranginee, Chapter 1 was removed from the book and claimed his own by George Buhler.

(10) Jain Yudhishtir Shak from 2634 BC (from Sanyaas or death of Paarshwanaath) - Used in Jina-vijaya Mahaākāavya..

(11) Nand Shak - 1634 BC (All Puraan, Kharavela inscription of Praachee)
यावत् परीक्षितो जन्म यावत् नन्दाभिषेचनम् । तावत् वर्ष सहस्रं च ज्ञेयं पञ्चशतोत्तरम् ॥
(Vishnu Puraan. 4/24/104_

(12) Shoodrak Shak - 756 BC (Jyotish Darpan of Yallaya, Bhavishya Puraan, genealogy of Paramaar, Chauhaan kings)

(14) Chaahamaan or Shaakambharee Shak - 612 BC - destruction of Assyrian capital Nineve by Chaahamaan of Medes (Madhyadesh) East of Sindhu. (BibleWiki - Media, Jewish Encyclopedia - Nineve, Brihat Sanhitaa 13/3, Chandee Paath, 11/38)
आसन् मघासु मुनयः शासति पृथ्वीं युधिष्ठिरे नृपतौ।
षड्-द्विक-पञ्च-द्वि (२५२६) युतः शककालस्तस्य राज्ञस्य||
(Varaah Mihir's Brihat Sanhitaa, 13/3)

(15) Veer Nirvaan - from 527 BC from the death of Kaalakaachaarya (599-527 BC), Guru of Kumaaril Bhatt as per Jinavijaya Mahaākaavya.

(16) Shreeharsh Shak - from 456 BC - end of 300 year democracy starting with Shoodrak of Maalaavaa. Indicated by all Persian / Indian writers - Al Baroonee, Ferishta, Abul Fazl etc. Shreeharsh's epic Naishadh Charit is in syllabus of most Universities.

(17) Vikram Samvat by Paramaar King Vikramaaditya of Ujjain - 57 BC. From Charitra at Pashupati Naath (Nepaal) and from Kaarttik at Somanaath (Gujaraat).

(18) Shaalivaahan Shak - 78 AD.

(19) Kalachuree or Chedi Shak - 248 AD

(20) Vallabhee (Bhang) Shak - 319 AD - end of later Gupt in Gujaraat  -

All the calendars from Harsh to Vallabhee have been described by Al Baroonee in his book India (2 vols)

(21) Chaalukya Vikram - 1075 AD from Kaarttik.

Distortions in Calendars
Before independence in 1947, all Panchaang mentioned "Vikram Samvat" and "Shaalivaahan Shak", never used Vikram Shak or Shaālivaahan Samvat. Difference between Shak and Samvat was clearly known. But now, a term is used "Raashreeya Shak" or "Shak Samvat", which have no meaning. So called Raashreeya Shak is not used by government or public in this Raashra nor it is a Shak used for calculating planetary positions and its epoch is also not known. Shak is mathematical calendar based on solar months in which it is easier to calculate number of days since epoch. After fixing solar months, we decide about extra lunar months which are the basis of our festivals. Society moves as per this, so it is called Samvatsar. Anniversary is called Samavasaran in Jainism - a derivative of this word.

Since all our Panchaang start their calculation from start of Kali era, there is massive attempt to change that epoch since Baily (astronomer) and Brennand in 1865 (Harvard commentary on Soorya Siddhaant). Calendar software of NASA has become a handy tool in hands of semi-literates. This software is not accurate for the periods before 700 BC. For ancient periods, 10 models of corrections have been proposed, but still they reduce the error or 3000 BC from 68 hours to 26 hours, which is not accurate to specify the date. All the corrections do not take into account 2 fluctuations - temporary increase in radio-activity and increase in sea level after Mahaabhaarat war. That puts load on equator and slows down the Earth's axial rotation, which is unit of our calculations. There is corresponding change in the Moon also orbit which is not calculated. Eclipses recur in 18 days 10.5 days and are symmetric in half period of 3339 Tithi indicated in Rig Ved
त्रीणि शतानि त्रीणि सहस्राण्यग्निं त्रिंशच्च देवा नव चा सपर्यन् ।
(Rig Ved, 10,52.5)

Thus, it cannot be used to find very old dates, but it can confirm date determined otherwise. Thus NASA software recommends that its formula for ancient periods should be corrected from historical dates. But Indian slaves attempt to change the dates only. Difference in time due to slowing down of earth rotation by tidal friction is called ΔT (Delta T) and can be calculated with alternate correction models at website given below-
http://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~gent0113/deltat/deltat.htm
Other references can be seen on-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%CE%94T
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tidal_acceleration

Astronomers of Vikramaaditya period have used Chahman era of 612 BC - probably because it was by one of the Agni Vansheee kings of Delhi who had trounced Nineve, Assyrian capital in that year. However, this era is ignored or shifted to 550 BC in the name of Cyrus of Persia. Cyrus and Darius were great kings, but their victories were only in West up to Arab and Syria, not in any part of India. Cyrus did not start his rule in this period. There was no system of a continuous calendar. Years were counted from reign of each king, similar to Ank (digit) system of Orissa, So-called calendar of Cyrus was never started nor followed even in Persia. No Śaka king had ever started any calendar in his own country or in India. All chronologies of west and central Asia are discussed in detail by Al Baroonee's Chronology of Ancient Nations.

Some persons have made double shift. One group has assumed it to be calendar of Shreeharsh (456 BC). Complementary manipulation is by others who have changed Shreeharsh to Harsh Vardhan (605-646 AD), creating error of about 1,200 years. This is after reading separate books of both in syllabus.

Varaah Mihir time has been accurately given at many places, but instead of epoch of 612 BC, it has been calculated in Shaalivaahan Shak which started 90 years after his death. Similar error is about Brahmgupt too. He was famous as son of Jishugupt, who himself was the son of Anshuvarman, king of Nepaal in (103-33 BC) - Chronology of Nepaal Kings. In his kingdom, Vikramaaditya started his Samvat in 57 BC at Pashupati Naath as recorded in Nepaal history.

Here, year of a king of Chaap Vansh is followed who had started a Shak. Gotra of Bheeshm and Pāandav was Vyaaghrapaad of Vashishth line and a seer of Rig Ved. Main king in their line whose year was being followed is called Vyaaghramukh (i.e head of that line). That was one of the 4 Agni-Vansh joining hand under king Shoodrak at Mount Aaboo in 756 BC (Shoodrak Shak). They were Chapahaani, Pratihaar, Paramaar, Chaalukya (Solankee, Saalunkhe). In Chapahaani clan, the famous king Chaahamaan routed Assyria and its capital Nineve in 612 BC which was marked by start of a Shak. Thereafter, this clan got famous as Chauhaan - the last king being Prithvee Raaj Chauhaan who was last independent king of Delhi. They were experts in archery or they were protectors of west border of India in shape of Chāpa (bow) called Mālvā-like a garland (mālā). So, they were called Chapahāni.
(Bhavishya Puraan, Prati Sarg Parv, 1/6)

Some Other Notable Points
(1) Julian calendar has been changed to tally with Vikram Samvat - Calendar Committee Report, part 3 (CSIR publication) also mentions that Vikram Samvat has influenced the start of Julian calendar in 46 BC by delaying it for 7 days. He intended to start year from winter solstice (23 December), but people started it 7 days later with New Moon. It is assumed that 7 days after winter solstice of 46 BC was New Moon - actually it was Full Moon of Paush after which Maagh Krishn month started in Vikram year 10 (lapsed). Vikram Samvat is the only Luni-Solar year in the world in which the month starts with dark half. All our texts of astronomy and Puraan still calculate Adhik Maas on the basis of Lunar month starting with bright half or New Moon. To start a system opposed to general worldwide rule, it needs a powerful logic - shift of seasons by 45 days after start of Kali Yug; and a powerful king like Vikramaaditya who influenced India and Roman empire under Julius Caesar. That is why, no oriental scholar since British rule wants to admit existence of Vikramaaditya and inserts fake stories in his name.

It is also indicated that Hizra era (Islamic year) started with the start of Vikram year 679.

Quoted from the "History of the Calendar", by MN Saha and NC Lahiri (part C of the Report of "The Calendar Reforms Committee" under Prof. MN Saha with NC Lahiri as the Secretary in November 1952, published by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, 1955, 2nd ed. 1992. Its
page 168, last para says “Caesar wanted to start the new year on the 25th December, the winter solstice day. But people resisted that choice because a New Moon was due on January 1, 45 BC. And some people considered that the New Moon was lucky. Caesar had to go along with them in their desire to start the new reckoning on a traditional lunar landmark."

Importance of winter solstice had existed even in ancient India and Bheeshm Pitaamah departed on that very day in year 3139 BC - 36 years before the departure of Krishn. Now that day is called Christmas, though it was intended to be new year day. It has been assumed that the start was from New Moon day. Actually, it was from start of Maagh month of Vikram year 11 lapsed. Vikram Samvat is only year which starts with dark half-all other lunar years start from bright half starting with the New Moon. Strong following of Vikram Samvat, just 10 years after its inception in Rome against wishes of Caesar shows influence of Vikramaaditya.

(2) Hijraa era is based on Vikram Samvat - Page 180 - “It has been shown by Dr Haashim Amir Ali of the Osmania University, Hyderaabaad, that the Mohammedaan calendar was originally a Luni-Solar calendar in which intercalation was made when necessary, and not purely lunar. ….
According to this view, proper intercalation was applied in all years where necessary up to AH 10 and consequently the year AH 11 which started on March 29, 632 AD.

Note
Initial epoch of the Hijraa era thus arrived at, is the evening of March 19, 622 AD, Friday, the day following the Vernal Equinox.”
Thus, Hijraa era also started with the start of year in India - it was start of Vikram year 679. Vaidik roots of pre-Islaamik Arabia and the Kaabaa.

(3) Respect of Vikramaaditya till Islam - The text of the crucial Vikramaaditya inscription, found inscribed on a gold dish hung inside the Kaabaa shrine in Meccaa, is found recorded on page 315 of a volume known as ‘Sayar-ul-Okul’ treasured in the Makhtab-e-Sultaania library in Istanbul, Turkey. Rendered in free English the inscription says:--
"Fortunate are those who were born (and lived) during king Vikram’s reign. He was a noble, generous dutiful ruler, devoted to the welfare of his subjects. But at that time we Arabs, oblivious of God, were lost in sensual pleasures. Plotting and torture were rampant. The darkness of ignorance had enveloped our country. Like the lamb struggling for her life in the cruel paws of a wolf we Arabs were caught up in ignorance. The entire country was enveloped in adarkness so intense as on a new moon night. But the present dawn and pleasant sunshine of education is the result of the favor of the noble king Vikramaaditya whose benevolent supervision did not lose sight of us - foreigners as we were. He spread his
sacred religion amongst us and sent scholars whose brilliance shone like that of the sun from his country to ours. These scholars and preceptors through whose benevolence we were once again made cognizant of the presence of God, introduced to His sacred existence and put on the road of Truth, had come to our country to preach their religion and impart education at king Vikramaaditya’s behest."
http://www.guardiansofdarkness.com/GoD/muslims.pdf

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