From which year did Saka era begin ?

The Saka era, also known as the Shaka or Shalivahana era, is a historical calendar system that began in 78 A.D. (78 CE) [1]. While its exact origin remains a subject of historical debate, it is widely associated with the coronation of the Kushana emperor Kanishka, whose reign is traditionally thought to have commenced in 78 CE [1]. Other traditions attribute the era to the victory of King Shalivahana over the Sakas [t1][t4]. The era's epoch corresponds to the vernal equinox of 78 A.D. [t1]. Due to its historical significance and widespread use in astronomical calculations and regional calendars, the Government of India adopted the Saka era as the basis for the Indian National Calendar in 1957 [t8]. It remains 78 years behind the Gregorian calendar.

Sources

1. [1] History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 6: Polity and Society in Post-Mauryan Period > Kanishka > p. 80