1861.] 
149 
Note on JBudhagupta. 
A few words on the vexed subject of the Gupta era will conclude 
all that I now have to offer. According to Albirunf, it was computed 
from the extermination of the Guptas ; and he synchronizes it with 
the era of Balabhi. We are left, then, to infer that the denomina- 
tion of the latter era was designed to recal to remembrance the event 
of Balabhi’s accession ; and the foundation of one dynasty must be 
taken to have ensued at once on the extinction of the other. Such 
is the legitimate inference to which the language of Albiruni compels 
us. Xn speaking of the succession of Balablii to the Guptas, lie only 
says, however, that, apparently, he came just after them ; and the 
implied confession of incertitude may well awaken doubt. M. Kei- 
naud s first version of the passage from Albiruni is here accepted in 
preference to his second, in which, most paradoxically, he represents 
Balablii to have been the last of the Guptas * 
Aot a single inscription, containing a full and intelligible date, 
professedly to be reckoned in the Gupta era, has as yet been pub- 
lished. Is it impossible that it was chronologically distinct from the 
Balabhi era ? Some years ago, while journeying through the valley 
of the Nerbudda, I came upon two inscriptions, t of which the time, 
all but the era, is specified with as much completeness as could be 
desiied. From their object-matter it was evident that they were 
dated neither from the epoch of Vikramaditya, nor from that of 
S'alivahana. At my request, my accurate and obliging friend, Pandit 
Bapu IXeva S'astrin, whose valuable aid I have before acknowledged, 
undertook to ascertain from what era their dates could be counted ; 
whether from A. D. 31D,J or from within a latitude of fifty years an- 
* For the two versions, see Mr. Tlidmas’s edition of Mr. J. Prinsep’s Essays 
on Indian Antiquities, Vol. I., pp. 269 and 271. 
t I have translated and disserted on them in the Journal of the American 
Oriental Society, Vol. VI., pp. 499—536. 
i It was first made known by Colonel Tod that the Balabhi era then began. 
See his Annals of Majasthan , Vol. I., p. 801. 
My paper on the land-grants of Hastin, and that on the Eran inscriptions, as 
I did not see the proof-sheets, abound in errors of the press, to say nothing of 
other faults. The more important will here bo rectified, and a few comments 
interspersed. For safety, I romanize. 
Page 2, foot-notes, line 1. Bead shasJiottare : 1. 16, bri : 1.20, shfa, 856 
and 863. 
