Glossary · Term

Saka era

78 CE · 1st century · Also known as Shaka era

The Saka era is a calendar era beginning in 78 CE, used widely in India and in Hindu-Buddhist Java and Bali to date inscriptions and chronicles. Its origin is traditionally linked to a Saka or Kushan ruler. A reformed version became India's national calendar in 1957, and in Java its year count survived in the Javanese calendar of Sultan Agung.

Saka era
Image: British Museum. Dept. of Coins and Medals; Rapson, E. J. (Edward James), 1861-1937 · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 2 profiles

SakaImpact, SummaryMataram SultanateSocioeconomy

Mentioned in 1 state history

Western Satraps

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Saka era. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/saka-era
MLA
“Saka era.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/saka-era. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Saka era.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/saka-era.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Saka era’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/saka-era (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻