The fascinating origin of Nepal's official calendar โ from a warrior king's victory to a 2,000-year-old timekeeping system
Bikram Sambat (Vikram Samvat) was created by Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain in 57 BCE. According to ancient legends, the great king established this lunisolar calendar to commemorate his decisive victory over the Sakas (a Central Asian tribe). The new era began on the first day of the month of Baishakh (Baishakh Shukla Pratipada) โ a date that still marks the Nepali New Year (Navavarsha) today.
This article explores the full story behind the creator of Bikram Sambat, historical evidence, alternative theories, and how this ancient calendar became the official calendar of Nepal.
The name Vikramaditya (เคตเคฟเคเฅเคฐเคฎเคพเคฆเคฟเคคเฅเคฏ) translates to "Sun of Valor." He ruled from his capital in Ujjain (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India) and is celebrated in countless folk tales, Sanskrit literature, and the famous collection "Vikram and Betal" (Vikram-Betaal). The most widely accepted legend states:
Over centuries, the Vikram Samvat spread across the Indian subcontinent. While many regions later adopted other calendars, Nepal preserved it as the official state calendar, making it the only country still using Bikram Sambat for all administrative, legal, and religious purposes.
While the legend is powerful, historians debate the exact identity of the Vikramaditya who started the era. Multiple kings assumed the title over centuries. However, strong evidence supports the existence of a 1st-century BCE ruler who initiated the Vikram Samvat:
Even if the historical details are mixed with myth, the consensus is clear: the Bikram Sambat calendar system was institutionalized in 57 BCE by a powerful ruler named Vikramaditya from Ujjain.
Some historians propose that the "Vikramaditya" associated with the calendar might actually be a later king, such as Chandragupta II (who also took the title Vikramaditya) or a Malwa ruler from the 1st century BCE. However, the most widely taught and accepted version in Nepali and Indian traditions remains the 57 BCE founder.
There is also a theory that the calendar predates Vikramaditya, and he simply reformed it. But mainstream scholarship credits him with the creation of the Vikram Samvat era. For the purpose of understanding who created Bikram Sambat, the answer in all Nepali textbooks, Patro, and folklore is unanimous: Emperor Vikramaditya.
The Bikram Sambat calendar spread from Malwa (central India) to Nepal through trade, pilgrimage, and royal patronage. The Licchavi kings (c. 4th-8th century CE) were the first in Nepal to officially use Bikram Sambat in inscriptions and land grants. Later, the Malla dynasty reinforced its use, and the Shah kings (starting from Prithvi Narayan Shah) made it the sole official calendar of the unified Kingdom of Nepal.
Unlike India, which adopted the Saka calendar (78 CE) for certain purposes and the Gregorian calendar for civil use after British colonization, Nepal โ having never been colonized โ proudly retained the original Vikram Samvat as its national calendar. Today, every government document, school certificate, and festival date in Nepal follows Bikram Sambat.
| Creator | Emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain |
|---|---|
| Year of establishment | 57 BCE |
| Occasion | Victory over the Sakas |
| Capital | Ujjain (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India) |
| Calendar type | Lunisolar |
| First day | Baishakh Shukla Pratipada (Baishakh 1) |
| Modern user | Nepal (official calendar) |
| Also used in | Parts of India (Gujarat, Rajasthan) for festivals |
2,100 years after its creation, the Bikram Sambat calendar remains central to the lives of millions. In Nepal:
Understanding who created Bikram Sambat helps us appreciate the deep historical roots of Nepal's unique timekeeping system. For those needing to convert BS dates to Gregorian (or vice versa), reliable tools are essential.
Whether you're researching Vikramaditya's era, planning a festival, or verifying a document date, our free BS to AD Converter provides instant, accurate results based on official Nepali calendar algorithms.
Most historians believe a powerful king named Vikramaditya did exist around 57 BCE in the Malwa region (Ujjain). While legends have embellished his story, the Vikram Samvat era's foundation in that year is historically accepted.
Yes, "Bikram Sambat" is the Nepali pronunciation of "Vikram Samvat." They refer to the exact same calendar system.
Because the Bikram Sambat era began in 57 BCE, while the Gregorian AD era began in 1 AD (or 1 CE). The difference is approximately 56.7 years (57 BCE to 1 AD is 57 years, but adjustments for month offsets make it ~56.7).
No, Nepal Sambat is a different lunar calendar created in 880 CE by Sankhadhar Sakhwa. Bikram Sambat is much older and remains the official calendar of Nepal.
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