The 'Malava Samvat', an ancient Indian era, was also known as:

The ancient era known as the "Malava Samvat" (Malava era) was earlier called the "Krita Samvat", and later came to be known as the "Vikram Samvat".

About the era:

• It is counted from 57 BCE.
• In early inscriptions, especially from Rajasthan and Malwa, the era is called "Krita".
• Later inscriptions call it the era "of the Malavas", or the "Malava-gana" era, after the Malava tribe that lived in parts of Rajasthan and Malwa (western Madhya Pradesh).
• From about the 9th century onwards, the same era came to be called "Vikram Samvat", and it was linked with a legendary king Vikramaditya of Ujjain, who is said to have defeated the Shakas.

Vikram Samvat today:

• It is the official calendar of Nepal.
• It is widely used in northern and western India for religious festivals and events.
• It is a lunisolar calendar; the year begins on different dates in different regions, such as Chaitra (in the north) or Kartika (in Gujarat).
• Vikram Samvat is about 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.

Other Indian eras:

• "Shaka Samvat": begins from 78 CE; it was adopted as the basis of the National Calendar of India in 1957.
• "Gupta Samvat": begins from 319-320 CE, linked with Chandragupta I.
• "Harsha Samvat": begins from 606 CE, the year of Harsha's accession.
• "Kali Yuga" era: counted from 3102 BCE.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Shaka Samvat began in 78 CE.
• ✗Gupta Samvat began in 319-320 CE.
• ✗Harsha Samvat began in 606 CE.