The Age of the Imperial Guptas c4.9

c4.9

Even after a century of discussion scholars are not yet agreed about the correct date of the war of independence in Magadha. The late Dr. J. F. Fleet came to the conclusion that Magadha became independent in 319-20 A.D., and the era, which is now known to us as the Gupta or the Gupta-Valabhī era was founded by the Licchavis of Nepal,¹ Candragupta I. Subsequently the late Dr. Bühler proved that the era which became subsequently known as the Gupta era was really founded from the date of the coronation of Candragupta I.² There cannot be any doubt about the fact that the initial year of the Gupta era corresponds to 319-20 A.D. In the absence of fresh data it is impossible to decide finally what was the real cause of the foundation of this era. It is quite possible that the Licchavīs who were close relations of the Guptas, used the era counted from the liberation of the people of Magadha.