Maitraka dynasty

The Maitraka dynasty ruled the kingdom of Valabhi in western India from about 475 to 776, from its capital at Vallabhi in Saurashtra. It was founded by Senapati Bhatarka, a military governor of Saurashtra under the Guptas who set himself up as independent as that empire declined. The first two rulers kept the modest title of general, the third, Dronasimha, declared himself maharaja, and Guhasena dropped the formula that admitted nominal Gupta overlordship, while his descendant Dharasena IV assumed the full imperial titles. Siladitya I was described by the pilgrim Xuanzang, who visited in 640, as a monarch of great administrative ability and rare kindness; Dhruvasena II married a daughter of Harshavardhana, and under Dharasena III the kingdom took in north Gujarat, with Ujjain attested in the copper plates by then. With the single exception of Dharapatta, who is associated with sun worship, these kings were Shaivas. A Jain council is said to have met at Vallabhi, and the court kept Sanskrit letters alive, until Arab raids from the sea and internal feuds brought the line down in 776.