Indian Epigraphy c15.t11.2

c15.t11.2

The era is associated with the name of a king called Lakṣmaṇasena, sometimes described as an emperor and also as the lord of Gauḍa.⁶ This ruler is no doubt identical with king Lakṣmaṇasena (c. 1179-1206)⁷ of the Sena dynasty of Bengal. The era (called La-sam, Lakṣmaṇa-saṃvat or Lakṣmaṇa-sena-saṃvat) is still popular in North Bihar (Mithilā) where it is known to have also been current during the late medieval period. The year is now regarded as starting from Māgha-badi 1, and the months are *Amānta*.¹ The earliest records dated in this reckoning are, however, found in the Gaya region of South Bihar where it appears to have originated. The years of the era are generally associated with the *atīta-rājya* of Lakṣmaṇasena. The real meaning of *atīta-rājya* (i.e. the past sovereignty) can be determined from the records of another king named Govindapāla.