[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Archaeology, epigraphy and coins](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy) › [Book of Indian Eras, with Tables for Calculating Indian Dates](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883) › c9 # Book of Indian Eras, with Tables for Calculating Indian Dates c9: IV.—Kâli-Yuga Book of Indian Eras, with Tables for Calculating Indian Dates c9 - **Language:** English ### IV.—Kâli-Yuga ### [c9.1](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.1) The Kâli-Yuga, or fourth age of Hindu Chronology, dates from the year 3102 B.C.; the year 1, expired or completed, being B. C. 3101. The Four Yugas, or ages, which comprise one Mahâ-Yuga, consist of the following periods :— ### [c9.2](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.2) | | | Years. | | | | | Krita-Yuga | .. | 1.728,000 | ÷ 360 = | 4800 | years of Gods. | | Treta-Yuga | .. | 1.296,000 | ÷ 360 = | 3600 | ” | | Dwâpara-Yuga | .. | 864,000 | ÷ 360 = | 2400 | ” | | Kâli-Yuga | .. | 432,000 | ÷ 360 = | 1200 | ” | | One Mahâ-Yuga | .. | 4.320,000 | ÷ 360 = | 12000 | years of Gods. | ### [c9.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.3) Regarding the origin of the Mahâ-Yuga I have already expressed my opinion that it was the invention of the astronomers founded on the precession of the equinoxes. It may be objected that the division into four Yugas and their duration are mentioned both in the Code of Manu\* and in the Mahâbhârata. But what is the age of Manu’s Code? The references to female heretics who wear an unlawful dress, or a dress unauthorized by the Vedas \[v, 89, 90\], of “female anchorets,” or nuns \[viii, 36, 37\], and of “heretical books,” or books of a false religion \[ii, 11, and xi, 66\], point so clearly to Buddhism, that the Code in its present form must certainly be posterior to the spread of Buddhism under Asoka. ### [c9.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.4) The era of the Kâli-Yuga was in use down to the time of Varâha Mihira, who first introduced the use of the Saka era into Astronomical works. Aryabhata, who was not more than fifty years prior to him, still computed by the era of the Kâli-Yuga.† The initial point of the era seems to have been a traditional date of the period of the great war, which had been handed down perhaps for ages. This date of 3102 B.C. ### [c9.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.5) ∗ Mânava Sanhita, or Mânava Dharma-Sâstra, I, 67 et seq. ### [c9.6](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.6) † Weber’s History of Indian Literature, p. 260. ### [c9.7](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.7) as the year 0 of the Kâli-Yuga was accepted by all; and from it the calculations of Aryabhata, and Varâha Mihira for the solar and luni-solar periods were computed. ### [c9.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9.8) Where the Kâli-Yuga era is used alone, the day of the month may be expressed either according to the solar calendar, or to the luni-solar one. Frequently the year is given in two different eras; one of which may be usually connected with the solar calendar and the other with the lunar. In the North of India the Kâli-Yuga and the Saka years are generally, but not always, connected with the solar reckoning, while in the South of India the Saka era is usually accompanied with the luni-solar reckoning. The Samvat of Vikramâditya is the only era that is exclusively luni-solar. ## Linked texts (1) - [Mānava Dharmaśāstra](https://indike.org/pramana/in.niti.dharma.manu.2.11) — Manu & Bhṛgu, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.epigraphy.cunningham-1883.c9) · Pramāṇa