The Epoch of the Ganga Era
Summary
The article “The Epoch of the Ganga Era” seeks to determine the starting date of the Ganga era used in inscriptions of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. After reviewing earlier proposals, the author analyses regnal years and historical events recorded in Ganga inscriptions. He argues that the era began in Śaka 420 (A.D. 498), corresponding to 14 March 498, and shows that this date harmonises with records of kings such as Anantavarman Chodaganga. The article critiques alternative epochs proposed by other scholars and discusses why the era was later known as the “Anka-year” system. By fixing the epoch in A.D. 498, the author resolves a longstanding chronological problem and provides a firmer basis for dating Orissan history.
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Conclusion
By carefully correlating inscriptions with historical events, the article establishes A.D. 498 as the starting point of the Ganga era. This conclusion clarifies the chronology of the Eastern Ganga dynasty and provides historians with a reliable anchor for interpreting Orissan inscriptions.