Indian Epigraphy c15.t22.9

c15.t22.9

After the introduction of Dīn-i-Ilāhī, the Mughal emperor Akbar started the Ilāhī era in order to oust the use of the Hijrī associated with Islām. It was actually introduced in the 29th year of Akbar's reign corresponding to Hijrī 992 and 1584 A.D., though its beginning was counted from the year of Akbar's accession. The emperor ascended the throne on the 14th February 1556 A.D. (the 2nd of Rabiuṣ Ṣānī, Hijrī 963). But the beginning of the Ilāhī era was counted from 25 days later, viz., from the 28th Rabiuṣ Ṣānī of that year, corresponding to the 11th March 1556 A.D., which was the first day of the Iranian new year. In order to get the Christian equivalents of the Ilāhī years, one has to add 1555-56 to the years of that era. The years of the Ilāhī era are solar and the names of months and days were adopted from the ancient Iranian calendar. The days of the month are specifically mentioned in the dates by their names and not by their numbers.