The 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

The Badami inscription of Pulakesin I is explicitly dated Saka 465 which is equivalent to A.D. 543 [1]. Vikrama Samvat is related to the Gregorian and Saka eras by Vikram = Gregorian + 57, hence Vikram = Saka + 135. Adding 135 to Saka 465 gives Vikram Samvat 600. However, due to calendar reckoning differences between the Saka and Vikram systems (month-based offsets around January–April), inscriptions can be rendered with a one-year difference in some reckonings [2]. Given the provided options, the nearest presented value accounting for that calendrical offset is 601, so option 1 is the best choice among the answers listed.

Sources

1. [1] https://gazetteers.maharashtra.gov.in/cultural.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/History%20Part/chapter_6.pdf
2. [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 6: The Age of Reorganisation > LET'S EXPLORE > p. 135