Book of Indian Eras, with Tables for Calculating Indian Dates c6.36

c6.36

The quotations which I have already given from Abu Rihân and Kalhana Pandit show that the fanciful vagaries of the astronomers regarding the date of the Mahâbhârata had already been partially adopted in the 11th and 12th Centuries A.D. But the learned Muhammadan author goes on to show that the use of the Sapt-Rishi cycle had certainly extended to Multân and Sindh.† He says, that “writers differ with regard to the beginning of the year as well as with regard to the initial point of the cycle.” He states also that he has “seen the Indians, when they wished to mark the date of the taking of Somnâth, write down 242, 606, and 99, and then add them together, which gives the year of Saka. Abu Rihân explains that 242 shows the number of years (of Saka) which preceded the epoch when the Indians first began to use the centenary cycle, and that this usage commenced with the era of the Guptas. Further, that the sum of 606 shows the number of complete centenary cycles of 101 years each; and lastly, that 99 is the number of years elapsed of the current cycle.” These numbers added together give 947 as the year of Saka in which Somnâth was captured, equivalent to the year beginning in April A.D. 1025, and ending in April 1026, which is correct, as Somnâth fell in January 1026.