<P> The Shaka era (IAST: Śaka era) is a historical calendar era, corresponding to Julian year 78 . It is also known as Shalivahana Śaka era or rtgs: Mahasakkarat "Greater Era"). </P> <P> The origin of the Shaka era is highly controversial . There are two Shaka era system in scholarly use, one is called Old Shaka Era, whose epoch is uncertain, probably sometime in the 1st millennium BCE because ancient Buddhist, Jaina and Hindu inscriptions and texts use it, but this a subject of dispute among scholars . The other is called Saka Era of 78 AD, or simply Saka Era, a system that is common in epigraphic evidence from southern India . A parallel northern India system is the Vikrama Era, which is related to the Bikrami calendar linked to Vikramaditya . </P> <P> The beginning of the Shaka era is now widely equated to the ascension of king Chashtana in 78 CE . His inscriptions, dated to the years 11 and 52, have been found at Andhau in Kutch region . These years are interpreted as Shaka years 11 (89 CE) and 52 (130 CE). </P> <P> A previously more common view was that the beginning of the Shaka era corresponds to the ascension of Kanishka I in 78 CE . However, the latest research by Henry Falk indicates that Kanishka ascended the throne in 127 CE . Moreover, Kanishka was not a Shaka, but a Kushana ruler . Other historical candidates have included rulers such as Vima Kadphises, Vonones, and Nahapana . </P>

Who started the saka era which is still used by the government of india