The Vikram Era and the Saka Era are two different eras used in India for historical and cultural purposes.
The Vikram Era is named after King Vikramaditya, a legendary emperor of ancient India. The era is believed to have started in 57 BCE, when King Vikramaditya is said to have defeated the Shakas, a group of Central Asian nomads. The Vikram Era is also known as the Hindu Era, and it is used in some parts of India for traditional and religious purposes.
The Saka Era, on the other hand, is based on the Shaka Dynasty, which ruled parts of India from the 1st century BCE to the 3rd century CE. The era is believed to have started in 78 CE, when the Shaka king, Shalivahana, ascended the throne. The Saka Era is also known as the Salivahana Era, and it is the official civil calendar used in India.
Both the Vikram Era and the Saka Era are lunar calendars, which means that the dates are calculated based on the cycles of the moon. However, the Saka Era is more widely used and recognized in India today, especially for administrative and governmental purposes.