View source for History:Vikram Samvat

{{Short description|Hindu calendar}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2017}}
'''Vikram Samvat''' ([[ISO 15919|ISO]]: ''Vikrama Saṁvata''; abbreviated VS), also known as the '''Vikrami calendar''' is a Hindu calendar historically used in the [[Earth:Indian subcontinent|Indian subcontinent]] and still used in several states.<ref>{{cite book | author=Masatoshi Iguchi| title=Java Essay: The History and Culture of a Southern Country| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rFvsBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA135 | year=2015| publisher=TPL |isbn=978-1-78462-885-7| page=135}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | author=Edward Simpson| title=Muslim Society and the Western Indian Ocean: The Seafarers of Kachchh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dtI1ynX9x-UC&pg=PA113 |year=2007| publisher=Routledge| isbn=978-1-134-18484-2| pages=113–114}}</ref> It is a [[Astronomy:Lunisolar calendar|lunisolar calendar]], using twelve to thirteen lunar months each solar [[Astronomy:Sidereal year|sidereal year]]s. The year count of the Vikram Samvat calendar is usually 57 years ahead of the [[Gregorian calendar]], except during January to April, when it is ahead by 56 years. 

The Vikram Samvat (called Bikram Sambat in Nepal) calendar should not be confused with the Nepal Sambat, a much more recent innovation.

== History ==
{{Multiple image
| align = 
| direction = 
| total_width = 500
| image1 =
| alt1 = Bilingual plaque
| caption1 = Plaque with description of Barnala inscription
| image2 =
|alt2=Inscribed square pillar with rounded corners
| caption2 = Barnala Yupa pillar, Rajasthan
| header = Barnala inscription
}}

A number of ancient and medieval inscriptions used the Vikram Samvat. Although it was reportedly named after the legendary king Vikramaditya, the term "Vikrama Samvat" does not appear in the historical record before the 9th century; the same calendar system is found with other names, such as Krita and Malava.<ref name="Salomon1998p182">{{cite book | author=Richard Salomon| title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t-4RDAAAQBAJ |year=1998| publisher=Oxford University Press| isbn=978-0-19-509984-3| pages=182–183}}</ref> In colonial scholarship, the era was believed to be based on the commemoration of King Vikramaditya expelling the Sakas from Ujjain. However, later epigraphical evidence and scholarship suggest that this theory has no historical basis. During the 9th century, epigraphical artwork began using Vikram Samvat (suggesting that the Hindu calendar era in use became popular as Vikram Samvat); Buddhist and Jain epigraphy continued to use an era based on the Buddha or the Mahavira.<ref>{{cite book|author=Richard Salomon|title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t-4RDAAAQBAJ |year=1998|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-509984-3|pages=182–183, 194–195}}</ref>

=== {{anchor|Vikramaditya Legends}}Vikramaditya legend ===
[[File:Westindischer Maler um 1400 001.jpg|thumb|upright=1.4|alt=Two illustrated portions of a manuscript|The Jain monk Kalakacharya and the Saka king (''Kalakacharya Katha'' manuscript, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, {{wipe|Mumbai}})]]
According to popular tradition, King Vikramaditya of Ujjain established the Vikrama Samvat era after defeating the Śakas.

''Kalakacharya Kathanaka'' (''An account of the monk Kalakacharya''), by the [[Philosophy:Jainism|Jain]] sage Mahesarasuri, gives the following account: Gandharvasena, the then-powerful king of Ujjain, abducted a nun called Sarasvati, who was the sister of the monk. The enraged monk sought the help of the Śaka ruler King Sahi in [[Place:Sistan|Sistan]]. Despite heavy odds but aided by miracles, the Śaka king defeated Gandharvasena and made him a captive. Sarasvati was repatriated, although Gandharvasena himself was forgiven. The defeated king retired to the forest, where he was killed by a tiger. His son, Vikramaditya, being brought up in the forest, had to rule from Pratishthana (modern Paithan in Maharashtra). Later on, Vikramaditya invaded Ujjain and drove away from the Śakas. To commemorate this event, he started a new era called the "Vikrama era". The Ujjain calendar started around 58–56 BCE, and the subsequent Shaka-era calendar was started in 78 CE at Pratishthana.{{full citation needed|date=September 2019}}

=== {{anchor|Historical Origins}}Historical origins ===
The association of the era beginning in 57 BCE with Vikramaditya is not found in any source before the 9th century CE; earlier sources call the era "Kṛṭa" (343 and 371 CE), "Kritaa" (404), "the era of the [[History:Malavas|Malava tribe]]" (424), or simply "Samvat".<ref name="AA_1989"/><ref name="MS_1974"/> The earliest known inscription which calls the era "Vikrama" is from 842. This inscription, from the Chauhana ruler Chandamahasena, was found at Dholpur and is dated "Vikrama Samvat 898, Vaishakha [[Astronomy:Shukla paksha|Shukla]] 2, Chanda" (20 April 842). The earliest known inscription which associates the era with a king called Vikramaditya is dated 971, and the earliest literary work connecting the era to Vikramaditya is ''Subhashita-Ratna-Sandoha'' (993-994) by the Jain author Amitagati.<ref name="MS_1974">{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dVRvVyHaiQC&pg=PA100 |title=History of Classical Sanskrit Literature |author=M. Srinivasachariar |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |year=1974 |isbn=9788120802841 |pages=94–111 }}</ref>

A number of authors believe that the Vikram Samvat was not started by Vikramaditya, who might be a legendary king or a title adopted by a later king who renamed the era after himself. V. A. Smith and D. R. Bhandarkar believed that Chandragupta II adopted the title of Vikramaditya, and changed the era's name to "Vikrama Samvat". According to Rudolf Hoernlé, the king responsible for this change was Yashodharman. Hoernlé believed that he conquered Kashmir and is the "Harsha Vikramaditya" mentioned in Kalhana's ''[[Religion:Rajatarangini|Rajatarangini]]''.<ref name="MS_1974"/>

Some earlier scholars believed that the Vikram Samvat corresponded to the [[History:Azes era|Azes era]] of the Indo-Scythian (Śaka) king King Azes. This was disputed by Robert Bracey after the discovery of an inscription of Vijayamitra, which is dated in two eras.<ref>{{cite book |author=Alf Hiltebeitel |title=Reading the Fifth Veda: Studies on the Mahābhārata |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lLfHSOWKB-sC |date=2011 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-18566-1 |page=103}}</ref> The theory was discredited by Falk and Bennett, who place the inception of the Azes era in 47–46 BCE.<ref>Falk and Bennett (2009), pp. 197-215.</ref>

== Popularity ==

The Vikram Samvat has been used by [[Religion:Hindus|Hindus]], Sikhs,<ref name="nesbittbc">{{cite book | author=Eleanor Nesbitt| title=Sikhism: a Very Short Introduction | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XebnCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA122 | year=2016| publisher=Oxford University Press| isbn=978-0-19-874557-0| pages=122–123}}</ref> and Pashtuns.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Jazab |first=Yousaf Khan |title=An Ethno-Linguistic Study of the Karlanri Varieties of Pashto |publisher=Pashto Academy, University of Peshawar |year= |isbn= |location= |pages=342–343}}</ref> One of several regional Hindu calendars in use on the [[Earth:Indian subcontinent|Indian subcontinent]], it is based on twelve [[Astronomy:Lunar month#Synodic month|synodic]] lunar months and 365 [[Astronomy:Solar time|solar days]].<ref name=nesbittbc/><ref name="Fuller2004p109"/> The lunar year begins with the new moon of the month of Chaitra.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=djvXAAAAMAAJ&q=chaitra+sukhladi Davivajña, Rāma (1996) Muhurtacintāmaṇi. Sagar Publications]</ref> This day, known as Chaitra Sukhladi, is a restricted (optional) holiday in India.<ref>[https://india.gov.in/calendar/calendar.php India.gov.in]</ref>{{Failed verification|date=September 2019}}

The calendar remains in use by people in Nepal serving as its national calendar where the first month is Baisakh and the last month is Chaitra. It is also symbolically used by Hindus of north, west and central India.<ref name="Salomon1998p182">{{cite book | author=Richard Salomon| title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the Other Indo-Aryan Languages| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t-4RDAAAQBAJ |year=1998| publisher=Oxford University Press| isbn=978-0-19-509984-3| pages=182–183}}</ref> In south India and portions of east and west India (such as Assam, West Bengal and Gujarat), the Indian national calendar is widely used.<ref name="Salomon1998p181"/>

With the arrival of Islamic rule, the [[Engineering:Islamic calendar|Hijri calendar]] became the official calendar of [[Religion:Sultan|sultan]]ates and the Mughal Empire. During [[History:British Raj|British colonial rule]] of the Indian subcontinent, the [[Gregorian calendar]] was adopted and is commonly used in urban areas of India.<ref>{{cite book | author1=Tim Harper| author2=Sunil Amrith | title=Sites of Asian Interaction: Ideas, Networks and Mobility| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XbiLBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA56 |year=2014| publisher=Cambridge University Press| isbn=978-1-316-09306-1| pages=56–57}}</ref> The predominantly-Muslim countries of {{wipe|Pakistan}} and Bangladesh have used the Islamic calendar since 1947, but older texts included the Vikram Samvat and Gregorian calendars. In 2003, the India-based Sikh Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee controversially adopted the Nanakshahi calendar.<ref name=nesbittbc/> Alongside [[History:Nepal Sambat|Nepal Sambat]], Vikram Samvat is one of two official calendars used in Nepal.<ref>{{cite book | author=Bal Gopal Shrestha| title=The Sacred Town of Sankhu: The Anthropology of Newar Ritual, Religion and Society in Nepal| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9EwsBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA13 | year=2012| publisher=Cambridge Scholars Publishing| isbn=978-1-4438-3825-2| pages=13–14}}</ref>

=={{anchor|The Calendar System}}Calendar system==
Like the Hebrew and Chinese calendars, the Vikram Samvat is [[Astronomy:Lunisolar calendar|lunisolar]].<ref name=nesbittbc/> In common years, the year is 354 days long,<ref>{{cite book | author=Orazio Marucchi| title=Christian Epigraphy: An Elementary Treatise with a Collection of Ancient Christian Inscriptions Mainly of Roman Origin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PoBjBYdzrkQC&pg=PA289 |year=2011| publisher=Cambridge University Press| isbn=978-0-521-23594-5| page=289}}, Text: "...the lunar year consists of 354 days..."</ref> while a leap month (''adhik maas'') is added in accordance to the [[Astronomy:Metonic cycle|Metonic cycle]] roughly once every three years (or 7 times in a 19-year cycle) to ensure that festivals and crop-related rituals fall in the appropriate season.<ref name=nesbittbc/><ref name="Fuller2004p109">{{cite book | author=Christopher John Fuller| title=The Camphor Flame: Popular Hinduism and Society in India| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=To6XSeBUW3oC| year=2004| publisher=Princeton University Press| isbn=978-0-69112-04-85| pages=109–110}}</ref> Early Buddhist communities in India adopted the ancient Hindu calendar, followed by the Vikram Samvat and local [[History:Buddhist calendar|Buddhist calendar]]s. Buddhist festivals are still scheduled according to a lunar system.<ref>{{cite book | author=Anita Ganeri| title=Buddhist Festivals Through the Year| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B-EawToG-6YC&pg=PT11| year=2003| publisher=BRB| isbn=978-1-58340-375-4| pages=11–12}}</ref>

The Vikram Samvat has two systems. It began in 56 BCE in the southern Hindu calendar system (''amaanta'') and 57–56 BCE in the northern system (''purnimaanta''). The Shukla Paksha, when most festivals occur, coincides in both systems.<ref name="Salomon1998p181">{{cite book | author=Richard Salomon| title=Indian Epigraphy: A Guide to the Study of Inscriptions in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and the other Indo-Aryan Languages| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYrG07qQDxkC&pg=PA181| year=1398| publisher=[[Organization:Oxford University Press|Oxford University Press]]| isbn=978-0-19-535666-3| pages=181–183}}</ref><ref name="AA_1989">{{cite book | author=Ashvini Agrawal |title=Rise and Fall of the Imperial Guptas |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hRjC5IaJ2zcC&pg=PA174 |year=1989 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0592-7 |pages=174–175 }}</ref> The lunisolar Vikram Samvat calendar is 56.7 years ahead of the solar [[Gregorian calendar]]; the year {{#time:Y|+57 years}} BS begins mid-April {{CURRENTYEAR}} CE, and ends mid-April {{NEXTYEAR}} CE.

The Rana dynasty of Nepal made the Bikram Sambat the official Hindu calendar in 1901 CE, which began as 1958 '''BS'''.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Crump|first=William D.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cDTfCwAAQBAJ&q=BIKRAM+SAMBAT&pg=PA38|title=Encyclopedia of New Year's Holidays Worldwide|date=2014-04-25|publisher=McFarland|isbn=978-0-7864-9545-0|language=en}}</ref> The new year in Nepal begins with the first day of the month of Baisakh, which usually falls around 13–15 April in the Gregorian calendar and ends with the last day of the month [[Astronomy:Chitra (nakshatra)|Chaitra]]. The first day of the new year is a public holiday in Nepal. Bisket Jatra, an annual carnival in Bhaktapur, is also celebrated on Baishakh 1. In 2007, [[History:Nepal Sambat|Nepal Sambat]] was also recognised as a national calendar alongside Bikram Sambat.

In India, the reformulated Saka calendar is officially used (except for computing dates of the traditional festivals). In the Hindi version of the preamble of the constitution of India, the date of its adoption (26 November 1949) is presented in Vikram Samvat as Margsheersh Shukla Saptami Samvat 2006. A call has been made for the Vikram Samvat to replace the Saka calendar as India's official calendar.<ref name=tfpj12>{{cite news | title=Vikram Samvat should be declared national calendar| url=http://freepressjournal.in/vikram-samvat-should-be-declared-national-calendar/| access-date=28 March 2012| newspaper=The Free Press Journal| date=15 February 2012| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426123959/http://freepressjournal.in/vikram-samvat-should-be-declared-national-calendar/| archive-date=26 April 2014| df=dmy-all}}</ref>

===New Year===
*'''Chaitra Navaratri''': the second most celebrated, named after ''vasanta'' which means spring. It is observed the lunar month of Chaitra (post-winter, March–April). In many regions the festival falls after spring harvest, and in others during harvest. It also marks the first day of the Hindu calendar, hence also known as the '''Hindu Lunar New Year''' according to Vikram Samvat calendar.<ref>{{cite news|work=The Hindustan Times | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/more-lifestyle/chaitra-navratri-2020-significance-history-behind-the-nine-day-festival-and-how-will-it-be-different-this-year/story-QhzJsRqlahKGlp9gAbWe8M.html|title=Chaitra Navratri 2020: Significance, history behind the nine-day festival and how will it be different this year |date=2020-03-30 |access-date=2021-02-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Desk|first=India TV News|date=2015-03-21|title=Difference between Vasanta and Sharad Navaratri - India TV|url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/lifestyle/news/navaratri-vasanta-sharad-difference-4812.html|access-date=2020-10-11|website=www.indiatvnews.com|language=en}}</ref>
*'''Vaisakhi''':
**Vaisakhi marks the beginning of '''Hindu Solar New Year''' in [[Place:Punjab|Punjab]], Northern, Eastern, North-eastern and Central India according to the solar Vikram Samvat calendar.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Rinehart|first1=Robin|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hMPYnfS_R90C&q=Vaisakhi+hindu&pg=PA139|title=Contemporary Hinduism: Ritual, Culture, and Practice|last2=Rinehart|first2=Robert|date=2004|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-905-8|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Kelly|first1=Aidan A.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wBcbAAAAYAAJ&q=Baisakhi+hindu|title=Religious Holidays and Calendars: An Encyclopaedic Handbook|last2=Dresser|first2=Peter D.|last3=Ross|first3=Linda M.|date=1993|publisher=Omnigraphics, Incorporated|isbn=978-1-55888-348-2|language=en}}</ref> and marks the first day of the month of Vaisakha, which is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year and is a historical and religious festival in [[Religion:Hinduism|Hinduism]].
**'''Baisakhi (Nepal)''': Baisakhi is celebrated as Nepalese New Year<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cg8iAQAAMAAJ&q=Nepalese+New+Year+baisakhi&pg=PA13|title=International Commerce|date=1970|publisher=Bureau of International Commerce.|language=en}}</ref> because it is the day which marks Hindu Solar New Year<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Fodor's|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8ME4aHbiyX4C&q=Hindu+solar+New+Year+baisakhi|title=India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, 1984|last2=Staff|first2=Fodor's Travel Publications, Inc|date=12 December 1983|publisher=Fodor's Travel Publications|isbn=978-0-679-01013-5|language=en}}</ref> as per the solar Nepali Bikram Sambat.
*Varsha Pratipada or ''Bestu Varas:'' It is considered an auspicious day celebrated in the Indian state of Gujarat to mark the New Year according to the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. It falls on the first day of the bright fortnight of the month of Kartika. The day is significant as it symbolizes the beginning of the agricultural year, and farmers traditionally start their new accounting books on this day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-05 |title=Gujarati New Year 2021: Significance and all you need to know about special occasion |url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/gujarati-new-year-2021-significance-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-special-occasion-10112301.html |access-date=2023-11-15 |website=Firstpost |language=en}}</ref>

=={{anchor|Divisions of a Year}}Divisions of a year==
The Vikram Samvat uses lunar months and solar [[Astronomy:Sidereal year|sidereal year]]s. Because 12 months do not match a sidereal year, correctional months (''adhika māsa'') are added or (occasionally) subtracted (''kshaya masa''). A lunar year consists of 12 months, and each month has two [[Physics:Fortnight|fortnight]]s, with a variable duration ranging from 29 to 32 days. The [[Astronomy:Lunar day|lunar day]]s are called ''[[Astronomy:Tithi|tithi]]s''. Each month has 30 ''tithis'', which vary in length from 20 to 27 hours. The [[Astronomy:Lunar phase#Waxing and waning|waxing phase]], beginning with the day after the new moon ''(amavasya)'', is called ''gaura'' or ''[[Astronomy:Paksha#Shukla Paksha|shukla paksha]]'' (the bright or auspicious fortnight). The waning phase is called ''[[Astronomy:Paksha#Krishna Paksha|krishna]]'' or ''vadhya paksha'' (the dark fortnight, considered inauspicious).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hinduism.about.com/od/history/a/calendar.htm|title=What Is the Hindu Calendar System?|website=Learn Religions|access-date=15 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506050840/https://www.learnreligions.com/the-hindu-calendar-system-1770396|archive-date=6 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Lunar Metrics}}Lunar metrics===

* A ''[[Astronomy:Tithi|tithi]]'' is the time it takes for the [[Earth:Longitude|longitudinal]] angle between the Moon and the Sun to increase by 12[[Degree (angle)|°]].<ref name="Chap14">Burgess, Ebenezer [https://books.google.com/books?id=jpE7AAAAcAAJ ''Translation of the Sûrya-Siddhânta: A text-book of Hindu astronomy, with notes and an appendix''] originally published: ''Journal of the American Oriental Society'', vol. 6, (1860), pp. 141–498, Chapter 14, Verse 12</ref> ''Tithis'' begin at various times of the day, and vary in duration.
* A ''[[Astronomy:Paksha|paksha]]'' (or ''pakṣa'') is a lunar fortnight and consists of 15 ''tithis''.
* A ''māsa'', or [[Astronomy:Lunar month|lunar month]] (about 29.5 days), is divided into two ''paksas''.
* A ''ritu'' (season) is two ''māsas''.<ref name="Chap14" />
* An ''ayana'' is three ''ritus''.
* A year is two ''ayanas''.<ref name="Chap14" />

=== Months ===
The classical Vikram Samvat is generally 57 years ahead of Gregorian Calendar, except during January to April, when it is ahead by 56 years. The month that the new year starts varies by region or sub-culture.

As of 20 April 2023, it is 2080 BS in the BS calendar. The names of months in the Vikram Samvat in Sanskrit and Nepali,<ref>{{Cite book|last=Nilsson|first=Usha|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvUvAFCQWPoC&q=Chait+Chaitra&pg=PA68|title=Mira Bai (Rajasthani Poetess)|date=1997|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-0411-9|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/IndianCalendricSystem-SK-Chatterjee|title=Indian Calendric System|last=Chatterjee|first=SK|publisher=Government of India.|year=1990|page=17|language=en}}</ref> with their roughly corresponding Gregorian months, respectively are:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!  Vikram Samvat months || Gregorian months
|-
| ''Chaitra'' or Chait or Chaitra || March–April
|-
| ''Vaiśākha'' or Baisakh || April–May
|-
| ''Jyēṣṭha'' or Jestha or Jeth || May–June
|-
| ''Āshādha'' or Asar or Asadh || June–July
|-
| ''Shrāvaṇa'' or Sawan or Shrawan || July–August
|-
| ''Bhādrapada'' or Bhādra or Bhadau
|August–September
|-
| ''Ashvin'' or Asoj || September–October
|-
| ''Kārtika'' or Kattik or Kartik || October–November
|-
| ''Agrahāyaṇa'' or Mangsir/Mārgaśīrṣa or Aghan || November–December
|-
| ''Pauṣa'' or Paush or Poush || December–January
|-
| ''Māgha'' or Magh || January–February
|-
| ''Phālguna'' or Falgun || February–March
|-
|}

=={{anchor|See Also}}See also==
* [[Hindu units of time]]
* Hindu calendar
* [[History:Vira Nirvana Samvat|Vira Nirvana Samvat]]
*[[Muhurta]]m

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
{{EB1911 Poster|Vikramaditya}}
* Harry Falk and Chris Bennett (2009). "Macedonian Intercalary Months and the Era of Azes." ''Acta Orientalia'' 70, pp.&nbsp;197–215.
* "The Dynastic Art of the Kushan", John Rosenfield.
* {{Cite NIE|wstitle=Samvat|short=x}}

==External links==
* [https://nepalicalendar.rat32.com Nepali Calendar]
* [http://www.cc.kyoto-su.ac.jp/~yanom/pancanga/ Kyoto University Gregorian – Saka – Vikrami Calendar Converter Tool], M. YANO and M. FUSHIMI


[[Category:Calendar eras]]

{{Sourceattribution|Vikram Samvat}}