•   It began in 78 CE, which marks the beginning of the Saka Samvat by Kanishka (Kushan ruler).

•   As per the recent studies it marks the victory of king Shalivahana over Saka kings. Thus, it is also known as Shalivahana Saka.

•   Later on, in 1957, this calendar was introduced as the Indian National Calendar.

•   In the Saka calendar, every year consists of 365 days.

•   It also contains a constant number of days in each month.

•   This calendar is used in India and used in other countries like Indonesia, Nepal, the Philippines, etc

Months of Saka era

1.  Chaitra (March 21 – April 20)

2.  Vaishakha (April 21-May 21)

3.  Jyeshtha (May 22-June 21)

4.  Ashadha (June 22- July 22)

5.  Shravana (July 23-August 22)

6.  Bhadrapada (August 22-September 22)

7.  Ashwin (September 23-October 22)

8.  Kartika (October 23-November 21)

9.  Agrahayana (November 22-December 21)

10.  Pausha (December 22-January 20)

11.  Magha (January 21- February 19) and

12.  Phalguna (February 20-March 20/21)

Shaka ruler Rudradaman I (Reign 130 AD – 150 AD)

•   He is considered the greatest of the Saka rulers.

•   He conducted the repair work of the Sudarshana Lake at Kathiawar.

•   He married a Hindu woman and had converted to Hinduism.

•   He also issued the first long inscription in chaste Sanskrit.

•   He took up the title of Makakshatrapa after becoming king.

•   He maintained marital relationships with the Satavahanas.

•   Vashishtiputra Satakarni was his son-in-law. But he also fought numerous wars with them.

•   He regained through conquests most of the territories previously under Nahapana.

•   He supported Sanskrit literature and cultural arts.