Fasli

Fasli refers to a calendar system primarily used in parts of India, particularly in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka. It is also known as the Fasli year or Fasli era. The Fasli calendar is a lunisolar calendar, meaning it incorporates both lunar and solar cycles, although it is largely based on the solar year.

The Fasli era is believed to have been established by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It was introduced as a way to unify the revenue collection systems across the empire and to ensure more accurate accounting of agricultural cycles. The year 1 begins in the Hijri year 963, which corresponds to the Gregorian year 1555-1556 CE.

Each Fasli year generally aligns with a solar year, starting around the month of July. The months and their lengths can vary slightly, but the system is designed to correspond with the agricultural seasons of the region. While its official use has diminished with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar for most administrative and civil purposes, the Fasli calendar remains relevant in certain traditional contexts, particularly for land revenue records and agricultural planning in some rural areas. It is a historical and cultural artifact that reflects a period of significant administrative development in the Indian subcontinent.