Amdavad Na Sthapanano Samay

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Amdavad na Sthapanano Samay" (The Time of Ahmedabad's Establishment), by Hariprasad G Shastri:

The article "Amdavad na Sthapanano Samay" by Hariprasad G Shastri delves into the complex and debated historical timeline of Ahmedabad's establishment by the third Sultan of Gujarat, Ahmed Shah I, adjacent to the ancient sites of Ashapalli and Karnavati. The author aims to critically examine the various historical accounts and calculations to determine the most accurate founding date.

Key Points and Debates:

• Early Sources and Discrepancies:

  • The earliest known mention is from "Tarikh-i-Ahmed Shahi" by the poet Hulvi Shirazi, a contemporary of Ahmed Shah. Although the original text is lost, fragments are preserved in later works like "Mirat-i-Sikandari" and the supplement of "Mirat-i-Ahmadi." These fragments suggest that Ahmed Shah consulted astrologers to determine an auspicious time for the city's founding, which fell in the month of Zulqad of Hijri year 813 (corresponding to February-March 1411 CE). However, a specific date is not provided.
  • Another reference is found in "Shri Shankh-Kirtini Pravan" (around 1530 CE), which states the establishment in Samvat 1468 (Vikram era) on Vaishakh Vadi 7, a Sunday, with the Pushya nakshatra. The author notes a potential scribal error, suggesting it might be Vaishakh Sud 7, as the day and nakshatra align better. However, this date (Sunday, Pushya nakshatra on Vaishakh Sud 7, Samvat 1468) is problematic when cross-referenced with Hijri dates and lunar calculations.

• Later Historical Accounts:

  • "Mirat-i-Sikandari" (written about 200 years after the event) places the city's founding in Hijri 813 and the completion of the fort's construction in Hijri 816 (1413-14 CE).
  • "Tarikh-i-Firista" (written around the same time) suggests the event occurred at the end of Hijri 815 (1413 CE), possibly referring to the fort's completion.
  • "Ain-i-Akbari" (also written around that period) provides a specific date: the 7th of Zulqad, Hijri 813, which corresponds to March 3, 1411 CE.
  • "Mirat-i-Ahmadi" (completed in 1761 CE), offers a detailed account, specifying Hijri 813, Zulqad, the 37th date (which is impossible for a month), Vikram Samvat 1449, and Shak Samvat 1314, with sunrise at 15 ghatis and 35 pals. It also includes a planetary horoscope (kundali) for this date.

• Critical Analysis of Dates and Horoscopes:

  • The author meticulously analyzes the "Mirat-i-Ahmadi" date (VS 1449 / SH 1314). While VS 1449 (Chaitradi) aligns with SH 1314, the day of the week for Vaishakh Sud 5 in that year was a Saturday, not Thursday. If considering Kartikadi VS 1449, it would align with a Thursday but change the Shak year to 1315.
  • A significant chronological discrepancy is found: Hijri 813 falls in 1411 CE, while Shak 1314 corresponds to 1792 CE, an 18-year difference that is considered too large.
  • Given that Ahmed Shah ascended the throne in Hijri 413 (Ramadan 14th, corresponding to January 10, 1411 CE), it is unlikely he founded the city 19 years prior to his enthronement. Therefore, the VS 1449 / SH 1314 date is deemed improbable.
  • The horoscope provided in "Mirat-i-Ahmadi" is also scrutinized. While some interpret its astrological predictions favorably for Ahmedabad, a detailed calculation reveals it doesn't match the planetary positions for either SH 1314 (1392 CE) or Hijri 813 (1411 CE). The author concludes that the Vikram-Shak years and the horoscope are likely fabricated.

• Alternative Calculations and Interpretations:

  • Shri Girijashankar Joshi proposed a corrected date of Vaishakh Sud 5, Thursday, in Shak Samvat 1333 (1412 CE), creating a new horoscope that closely resembles the one in "Mirat-i-Ahmadi." However, this date also faces chronological issues: the day of the week for Vaishakh Sud 5 in SH 1333 was a Tuesday, and the year was 1411 CE (not 1412 CE), when the Shak year would be 1314. The planetary positions, especially for slower-moving planets like Saturn, Rahu, and Jupiter, do not match the proposed horoscopes for either 1411 or 1412.
  • The author highlights inconsistencies in the planetary positions across different horoscopes and timeframes, particularly regarding Saturn, Rahu, and Jupiter, making these astrological charts unreliable.

• Revisiting the Founding Date:

  • The author favors the Hijri year 813 (1411 CE) as the most credible timeframe for the city's establishment.
  • Shri Hariharbhai Bhatt suggests that the date in "Mirat-i-Ahmadi" (VS 1449 / SH 1314) is improbable due to its incorrect Hijri year. He focuses on Hijri 813 and re-calculates the specific date. He posits that the actual date was likely the 2nd of Zulqad, Hijri 813, which corresponds to February 26, 1411 CE. This date aligns with Vaishakh Sud 3 of VS 1467 and SH 1332.
  • Based on this, a horoscope was prepared, and its astrological predictions were analyzed. While some found it not entirely fitting for Ahmedabad's destiny, the author emphasizes that the horoscopes presented in "Mirat-i-Ahmadi" and by Shri Girijashankar Joshi are demonstrably incorrect for the period around 1411 CE.

• Conclusion on Timeline:

  • The author concludes that from a historical perspective, two dates are the most plausible:
    • Muslim chronicles: The 2nd of Zulqad, Hijri 813 (Thursday, February 26, 1411 CE).
    • Hindu traditions: Vaishakh Sud 7, Sunday, Samvat 1468 (April 17, 1412 CE).
  • Considering the contemporary nature of the "Tarikh-i-Ahmed Shahi" and the context of the Sultanate's rule, the Hijri 813 (1411 CE) date is considered more authoritative.

• Fort Construction vs. City Establishment:

  • The article also briefly touches upon the fort's construction. Ahmed Shah completed the fort in Hijri 815 (late 1413 CE) or early Hijri 816 (early 1414 CE).
  • If the fort's construction began in February 1411 CE and was completed in March-April 1413 CE, then the date of April 17, 1412 CE (VS 1468 Vaishakh Sud 7) could potentially refer to the vastu pravesh (inauguration) ceremony of the fort, which typically occurs before the final completion.

In essence, the article meticulously sifts through various historical sources, scrutinizes dates, and performs astrological calculations to establish the most historically sound period for Ahmedabad's foundation. It highlights the discrepancies and challenges in reconciling different accounts, ultimately leaning towards February 26, 1411 CE as the most probable founding date, while acknowledging the continued presence of other traditions.