The Shalivahana era, also known as the Saka era, is used with Hindu calendars, the Indian national calendar, and the Cambodian Buddhist calendar—its year zero begins near the vernal equinox of 78. See Kushan Empire article for more complex description of Kushan-Scythian dating.

The Saka king Shalivahana (also identified as Gautamiputra Satakarni) is credited with the initiation of the era known as Shalivahana Saka to celebrate his victory against Vikramaditya of Ujjayini in the year 78. The Sakas were one of several tribes that conquered India from the northwest, where they established the rule of the Indo-Scythians.