Merutunga And Vikrama

This academic article by A.K. Warder, titled "Merutunga and Vikrama," discusses the historical context and chronological dating within Merutunga's Prabandhacintamani, a Jain text completed in 1306 AD.

The author begins by noting that Merutunga starts his work with anecdotes about Vikramarka (also known as Vikrama or Vikramaditya) and establishes the prevalence of the Vikramaditya era (V.S.) since his death. Warder highlights Merutunga's consistent use of V.S. dates for historical figures and events, citing Vanarāja Capotkata (V.S. 802) as an example. He observes that while Šātavāhana is mentioned, he is not given a specific V.S. date.

Warder points out that the chronological arrangement with precise V.S. dates continues until the end of Chapter IV, which focuses on Vastupala, dated to V.S. 1277. However, he finds an anomaly in the fifth and final chapter, a miscellaneous supplement. Here, Merutunga mentions the destruction of Valabhi after the death of King Śiladitya, stating it occurred "375 years after Vikrama."

This particular date, 375 years after Vikrama, is described as "most extraordinary" because if the Vikramaditya era (V.S.) is counted from 58 BC, 375 years would place the event around 316 AD. This is significantly earlier than the historical period when Arab invasions of India occurred. Warder notes that Merutunga likely did not include this story in his chronological narrative because it didn't fit. He suggests Merutunga might have taken this anecdote from Jinabhadra II.

The article then delves into the significance of this "375 years after Vikrama" date. Warder, referencing a footnote by C.H. Tawney and the work of Miss Duff, indicates that the overthrow of the Valabhi dynasty is usually dated around 766-770 AD. Warder argues that the year 375 cannot be a V.S. date (counted from 58 BC) but perfectly fits if it is taken as a date from the reign of Vikramaditya Gupta. This Vikramaditya Gupta is known to have called himself Vikramaditya and is believed to have defeated the Sakas around 395 AD. Adding 375 years to this period (either 395 AD or 391 AD, aligning with Miss Duff's date) results in the commonly accepted timeframe of 770 AD or 766 AD for the destruction of Valabhi.

This leads Warder to a crucial conclusion, which he had previously presented in Indian Kavya Literature Vol. VI. He asserts that this "unexpected source" from Merutunga confirms his argument that the era of 58 BC, previously known as Krta or Vikrama, was only confused with the date of Vikramaditya (Gupta) after the 10th century AD. This confusion, Warder suggests, led to a rewriting of Indian history.

The article concludes by stating that the restoration of the "true chronology" places Vikramaditya directly after the end of the Puranic king lists, specifically after Pravira (identified as Pravarasena I Vakataka) and subsequent unnamed Guptas (like Chandra I). Warder also briefly mentions that those questioning the dating of Ashoka Maurya in the 3rd century BC can find confirmation in Indian Kavya Literature Vol. VII through Chinese synchronisms that corroborate the Mahavamsa.