- Maitrakas of Vallabhi
- Rulers of the Maitraka Dynasty
- Later Rulers
- Coinage Of Maitrakas Of Vallabhi
- Religion Of Maitrikas
- Art and Architecture Of Maitraka Dynasty
- Decline Of The Maitrakas Of Vallabhi
- Chalukyas of Gujarat
- Origins
- History
- Decline
- Architecture
- Religion
Maitrakas of Vallabhi
- From around 475 to 767, the Maitraka dynasty ruled Gujarat. Vallabhi served as the Maitrakas' seat of government and capital. Towards the middle of the 7th century, they were governed by Harshavardhana, but they still had local autonomy. With Harsha's death, the Maitraka dynasty did, however, reclaim their freedom. The Sun or Sun deity, Mithra, is supposed to have been the source of the name Maitraka.
- Bhatarka established himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat in the 5th century. He was the military governor of the Saurashtra peninsula under the Gupta Empire.
The Maitraka dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Valabhi in western India from approximately 475 to 776 CE with their capital at Vallabhi.
Except for Dharapaṭṭa (the fifth king), who was associated with sun-worship, all the rulers were followers of Shaivism.
The origin of the Maitrakas is uncertain, but they were probably Suryavanshi Kshatriyas.
The dynasty was founded by Senapati (general) Bhaṭārka, a military governor of Saurashtra under the Gupta Empire, who established his independence around 475 CE.
The first two Maitraka rulers, Bhaṭārka and Dharasena I, used the title Senapati.
The third ruler, Droṇasiṁha, declared himself Maharaja.
During the reign of Dhruvasena I, a Jain council was probably held at Vallabhi.
Dharapaṭṭa, the next ruler, was the only one considered a sun-worshipper.
King Guhasena stopped using the title Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata, signifying the cessation of nominal allegiance to the Gupta overlords.
Guhasena was succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who used the title Mahadhiraja.
Śilāditya I Dharmāditya, the next ruler, was described by Hiuen Tsang as a "monarch of great administrative ability and rare kindness" during his visit in 640 CE.
Śilāditya I was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I.
The Virdi copperplate grant of 616 CE of Kharagraha I shows his territories included Ujjain.
Under Dharasena III, the kingdom expanded to include north Gujarat.
Dhruvasena II (Balāditya), the son of Kharagraha I, married the daughter of Harṣavardhana.
Dharasena IV, his son, assumed imperial titles like Paramabhattaraka Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara Chakravartin.
Sanskrit poet Bhatti served at the court of Dharasena IV.
The powerful ruler Śilāditya II succeeded Dharasena IV.
During the reign of Śilāditya V, Arabs likely invaded the kingdom.
The last known ruler of the Maitraka dynasty was Śilāditya VI.
The Maitrakas established Vallabhi University, which became famous for its scholastic pursuits, comparable to Nalanda University.
The Maitrakas came under the rule of Harṣa of the Vardhana dynasty in the mid-seventh century but retained local autonomy and regained independence after Harṣa’s death.
After repeated attacks by Arabs from the sea, the kingdom weakened and eventually fell by 783 CE.
Over 100 temples from the Maitraka period are known, mostly located along the western coast of Saurashtra.