Rajja Sourav Singh Sarmal
In Indian subcontinent, the Calendars we’re familiar with are the Gregorian, Vikram, Saka and Hijri. All the popular cultures and civilizations who had their own independent existence and glorious past had calendar of their own. It will surely fascinate everyone that the mighty Dogras too had their own calendar which was later replaced by Vikram and Gregorian.
The calendar which our ancestors used to follow is one of the oldest in world and was known as Shastra (Shastri) Samvat or Dogra – Pahari Samvat. It had been frequently used in documents, letters and treaties exchanged between the lords of Dogra Hills as late as the first half of the nineteenth century after which Vikram Samvat alongside Gregorian became more relevant and Shastra era was almost replaced.
In pre-muhammdan inscriptions, we never find the Vikrama or Saka eras used side by side with that of Shastra Era in Dogra region; even if we find such then they were in less number. Of the epigraphical records, the rock inscriptions are the oldest and least numerous; the oldest dating of such inscription where Shastra era was being used was from the seventh century. Most of these slab inscriptions are found on flat stones, covered with grotesque figures, which originally formed part of elaborately carved panihars or cisterns; erected in the olden times, chiefly by the Ranakas and Thakkuras in memory of their deceased relatives, and for their spiritual bliss in the next world. The carved slabs are all through the hills of Durgaradesh, but the inscribed stones seem to be peculiar to Chamba.
As of now, 2022 years have passed away since commencement of Gregorian Calendar whereas 2079 of Vikram, 1944 of Saka and 1443 of Hijri have gone away; but how many years have elapsed as per Dogra-Pahari Calendar? If we will ask this question to someone then he would’nt be able to reply. This shows, that our glorious past was never made part of mainstream history and we were strategically sidelined.
While speaking of background of our own calendar (Shastra Samvat) then it goes back to the period to whom Hindus says “Doapar Yuga”. When only one hundred seventy-five years were remaining for beginning of Kali Yuga, Raja Shakti Karan who was the descendent of legendary Dogra Raja Jambulochan became the ruler of Jamboo Kingdom of Durgara.
By 37 years of his rule, he was able to exhibit his suzerainty over all the rulers of Durgara and many other neighbouring Kingdoms. He being wise and conversant with the as Shastras, acted according to them in all affairs because of this became to be known Raja Shastri.
He introduced a number of innovations and the Dogra alphabet (prior to Dev??e?a) was invented by him. Somewhat prior one hundred thirty-eight years of Yudhisthira era all the Janpadas of Dogra hills accepted him as their overlord; then in all correspondence, records and accounts he introduced his own era (Shastra Era) by taking the permission of Maa Kalka Bawe Wali and remitted all the taxes of his subjects. He started it all from the day of conjunction of the Sun with the constellation of Aries (Mesha means the day of Baisakhi or Basoa) and officially announced himself be the Durgareshwara which meant “Lord of Durgara states and it’s chiefs”. As he started it on day when the sun enters the sidereal Aries, that’s why in this calendar the change in months too takes place with the transmigration of the Sun from one Rashi (constellation of the zodiac) to the next (Sangrand).
By now, five thousand two hundred and ninety-eight years of this calendar have passed away and the year 5299 started today.
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