A commemorative postage stamp on Samrat Vikramaditya, an Indian emperor of ancient India, founder of Hindu calendar, Vikram Samvat, after defeating Saka, a group of nomadic Iranian peoples :

Issued by India

Issued on Dec 22, 2016

Issued for : Department of Posts is pleased to release a Commemorative Postage Stamp on Samrat Vikramadittya, who started the Vikram Samvat.

Credits :
Stamp / FDC / Brochure / Cancellation Cachet : Sh. Brahm Prakash

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi Colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 402890

Printing Process : Wet Offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About : 

• Vikramadittya is considered as a legendary emperor of ancient India who established the “Vikram Samvat” or the Vikram Calendar in 57 B.C. The name Vikramadittya means the “Sun of Valor” the one who is as powerful as Sun. As per the popular traditions, Vikramadittya is stated to have ruled Ujjaini for a long period. Vikram Samvat was also being known as ‘Krat’ and ‘Malav’. Vikram Samvat along with Saka Samvat is used in India along with the Gregorian Calendar. It is also used in Nepal as the official calendar. In the Hindi version of the Preamble of Constitution of India, the date of adoption of the Constitution, 26 November 1949, is presented in Vikram Samvat. It is a lunar calendar and uses lunar months and sidereal years for timekeeping.
• According to the Kathasaritsagara, Vikramadittya was the son of Ujjain’s King Mahendraditya of the Paramara dynasty. The subject matter of Kathasaritsagara is based upon the matter of Brihatkathamanjari that was originally based on the non-available ‘Vadd Kaha’ by Gunnaddhya. Brihatkathamanjari and Soma Deva’s Kathasaritsagara both contain multiple legends about Vikramadittya.
• Besides the old book ‘Jyotividabharan’, references of the king Vikramadittya are found in the books ‘Singhasan Batteesy’ and ‘Bettal Pacheesy’ also. In these books Vikramadittya is referred as the most popular ruler and the hero in all these interesting stories.
• Many historians believe that Vikramadittya might be the title adopted by a later king who renamed the era after himself. However as per the recorded history, Chandragupta (II) of the Gupta Dynasty attained the title of Vikramadittya after defeating the Shakas and for this very reason he also got the title ‘Shakari’ (Enemy of the Shakas). Apart from Chandragupta (II), the names of king Bhoj of Dhara city and the king of Gujrat Siddhraj Jai Singh are also associated with the legendary title. The ruler of Delhi, Hem Chandra who faced the Mughal forces in the second battle of Panipat also carried the title “Vikramadittya”. Though there seems to be a number of historical or legendary characters of the name of Vikramadittya, the Vikram Samvat that was started in 57 B.C. is certainly an invaluable legacy and a symbol of the astronomical and horological heritage of our country.
• Text : Based on the material received from proponent.

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