Prelims 1997 · archive
MediumThe Badami rock inscription of Pulakesin I is dated in the Saka year 465. If the same were to be dated in Vikrama Samvat, the year would be:
Answer & explanation
Answer: (a) 601
The Saka era begins in 78 CE and the Vikrama era in 58 BCE, so Saka 465 is 543 CE, which is Vikrama 601.
- ✓ (a) Saka 465 is 465 + 78 = 543 CE. Adding 58 years for the Vikrama era (which starts 58 BCE) gives 601.
- ✗ (b) 300 would imply subtracting the era gap instead of adding it.
- • Since then Many calendars count Vikrama as CE year + 57; the question's option 601 follows the 58-year gap (Britannica).
Remember · Saka era = 78 CE; Vikrama era = 58 BCE (the gap is 135 years). Vikrama year = Saka year + 135 (here 465 + 135 = 600, or 601 with the 58-year count).
📘 Read it in NCERT: Class 9 Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Ch 5 (practise this chapter)
Sources
- NCERT Class 9 · Understanding Society: India and Beyond, Chapter 5 “300 BCE–300 CE: Early kingdoms of Tamilakam (Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas) 30–375 CE: Kushanas 78 CE: Saka Era begins”
- Vikrama era, Encyclopaedia Britannica ↗ · reference work “The Vikrama era (58 bc ) is said in the Jain book Kālakācāryakathā to have been founded after a victory of King Vikramāditya over the Śaka.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 1997, General Studies paper. UPSC did not publish an answer key for 1997: the answer shown is the generally accepted one, and the sources above explain the facts behind it. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 24 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·