The Cambridge History of India, Vol. I: Ancient India v1.c19.s1.2

v1.c19.s1.2

If the date for Asoka is placed too early in the Ceylon chronicles, can we still trust the 218 years which they allege to have elapsed from the commencement of the Buddhist era down to the time of Asoka? If so we have only to add that number to the correct date of Asoka, and thus fix the Buddhist era [the date of the Buddha's death] at 483 B.C. or shortly after. Of the answer to this question, there can I think, be no doubt. *We can not*².