Shalivahana

Shalivahana is credited with the initiation of the era known as Shalivahana Shaka to celebrate the victory against Vikramaditya of Ujjayini in the year 78 A.D.The Vikrama Charita, a Sanskrit classic, composed in the 11th century supports this view. But apart from this work and some popular legends, there is no concrete evidence to support this theory.History does record that Gautami Putra Shatakarni, of the Shatavahana dynasty defeated the powerful Nahapana, the Satrap king. The folklore of Maharashtra identifies Gautamiputra Shatakarni of the Shatavahana dynasty with Shalivahana. It is interestign to note that etymologically 'Shatavahana' is derived from 'Shalavahana' which in turn is derived from 'Shalivahana'.The material for this Amar Chitra Katha is derived from the Sanskrit classic 'Kathasaritasagara' and 'Vikrama Charita' and popular folk tales on the legendary hero.