Indian Epigraphy c15.t7.45

c15.t7.45

The Christian era alone continued to be the official reckoning of the Government of India for about a decade after the achievement of independence in 1947. In November 1952, a committee was appointed to examine the different calendars in use in different parts of India and to submit proposals for an accurate and uniform calendar for the whole country. As a result of the committee’s report submitted in 1955, the Government adopted the Śaka era in addition to the Christian era and introduced a reformed calendar from March 22, 1957. According to this calendar, the year begins on Caitra 1, and the 12 months have fixed numbers of days as in the Christian calendar. Thus the months of Caitra, Vaiśākha, Jyaiṣṭha, Āṣāḍha, Śrāvaṇa and Bhādra have each 31 days while Āśvina, Kārttika, Agrahāyana, Pauṣa, Māgha and Phālguna have each 30 days. Phālguna has 31 days in a leap year. According to this reformed calendar of the Government of India, the Śaka year 1881 began on Caitra 1 corresponding to March 22 (Sunday), 1959 A.D.