Q. Which of the following years marks the beginning of the Saka era?
Answer: 78 AD
Notes: The Saka Era was founded by Kanishka, the emperor of Kushana empire from the year 78 A.D. The national calendar of India is based on the Saka Calendar which has been adopted as the official civil calendar besides the Gregorian calendar. The Saka Calender is based on luni-solar reckoning of time. The calendar consists of 365 days and 12 months like the normal Gregorian calendar. Chaitra is the first month of the year beginning on March 22 which is the day after the Spring Equinox. During leap years, the starting day of Chaitra corresponds with March 21.