You Can Not Understand History without this | Difference between BC & AD & BCE ? | Prashant Dhawan

Summary

The video script discusses the importance of the BC/AD dating system in historical context and its gradual replacement with the more secular BCE/CE system in academic circles. It explains the origin of the BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) system, tracing it back to the Gregorian calendar reform by Pope Gregory XIII. The script also touches on other calendar systems like the Islamic Hijri and the Chinese lunar calendar, highlighting the global acceptance of the Gregorian calendar and the reasons behind the shift towards a secular time-reckoning system.

Takeaways

• 📚 History is an important subject that helps us understand past mistakes and great deeds.
• 🔍 There is a debate in the academic world about whether to completely stop using BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) and switch to BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era).
• 🌏 The script mentions that the use of BC/AD is being phased out in favor of BCE/CE to promote a secular mindset in academic fields.
• 📖 The difference between BC/AD and BCE/CE is not just terminological; it reflects a shift in how we perceive historical timelines without religious connotations.
• 📆 The Gregorian calendar, which is widely used today, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII to correct inaccuracies in the Julian calendar.
• 🌐 Despite the existence of other calendars like the Islamic and Chinese calendars, the Gregorian calendar has been globally accepted for trade, travel, and communication.
• 🗓️ The Saka calendar, used in India alongside the Gregorian calendar, starts 78 years after the Gregorian calendar, making the current year 1945 in the Saka calendar.
• 👑 The system of dividing time into BC/AD was created by a monk named Dionysius Exiguus, who used the birth of Jesus Christ as a reference point.
• 🌟 The transition from BC/AD to BCE/CE is happening gradually in various universities and encyclopedias to align with a secular academic approach.
• 📝 The script emphasizes the importance of having a proper era system for understanding and communicating about historical events accurately.
• 💡 The change from BC/AD to BCE/CE is not just about academic preference but also about inclusivity and recognizing diverse perspectives on time.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the provided video script?

The main subject of the video script is the importance of understanding historical dating systems, specifically the shift from using BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) to BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era).

Why is history considered an important subject according to the script?

History is considered important because it allows us to understand past mistakes and great achievements, helping us to learn and make informed decisions in the present.

What do BC and AD stand for, and what are their equivalents in the modern system?

BC stands for 'Before Christ' and AD stands for 'Anno Domini' (in the year of our Lord). Their modern equivalents are BCE (Before Common Era) and CE (Common Era).

Who created the BC/AD dating system, and why was it created?

The BC/AD dating system was created by a monk named Dionysius Exiguus about 1500 years ago. It was created to provide a clear reference point for historical events, using the birth of Jesus Christ as the central point.

Why is the calendar system referred to as the Gregorian Calendar?

The calendar system is called the Gregorian Calendar because it was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII to address inaccuracies in the Julian Calendar, particularly related to leap years.

What are some alternative calendar systems mentioned in the script?

The script mentions the Islamic calendar, the Chinese calendar, and the Indian Saka calendar as alternative systems to the Gregorian Calendar.

How does the Islamic calendar determine its year zero?

The Islamic calendar determines its year zero based on the Hijra, the migration of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina.

What is the significance of the Chinese calendar's year zero?

The Chinese calendar's year zero is based on the reign of Emperor Huang Di and follows lunar and solar cycles.

What is unique about India's Saka calendar in relation to the Gregorian Calendar?

India's Saka calendar, which is also a national calendar, starts 78 years after the Gregorian Calendar. For example, the year 2024 in the Gregorian Calendar corresponds to 1945 in the Saka calendar.

Why has there been a shift from using BC/AD to BCE/CE in academic fields?

The shift from BC/AD to BCE/CE in academic fields aims to adopt a more secular and inclusive approach, removing religious connotations from the dating system while maintaining the same chronological framework.