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The Maitraka
dynasty ruled western India (now Gujarat) from
approximately 475 to approximately 776 CE from their capital at Vallabhi. With the sole exception of Dharapaṭṭa (the fifth king in the dynasty),
who followed the Mithraic mysteries, they were followers of Shaivism. Their
origin is uncertain but they were probably Chandravanshi Kshatriyas. Following the decline of the Gupta
Empire, Maitraka dynasty was founded
by Senapati (general) Bhaṭārka,
who was a military governor of Saurashtra under
Gupta Empire, who had established himself as the independent around 475 CE.
The first two Maitraka rulers Bhaṭārka
and Dharasena I used only the title of Senapati (general).
The third ruler Droṇasiṁha declared
himself as the Maharaja. During the reign Dhruvasena I, Jain council at Vallabhi was probably held. The next ruler Dharapaṭṭa is the only ruler considered as a sun-worshipper. King Guhasena
stopped using the term Paramabhattaraka
Padanudhyata along his name like his
predecessors, which denotes the cessation of displaying of the nominal
allegiance to the Gupta overlords. He was succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who used the title of Mahadhiraja. His son, the next ruler Śilāditya I Dharmāditya
was described by Hiuen Tsang,
visited in 640 CE, as a "monarch of great administrative ability and of
rare kindness and compassion". Śilāditya
I was succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I.
Virdi copperplate grant (616 CE) of Kharagraha I proves that his territories included Ujjain.
During the reign of the next ruler, Dharasena III,
north Gujarat was included in this kingdom. Dharasena
II was succeeded by another son of Kharagraha I, Dhruvasena II, Balāditya.
He married the daughter of Harṣavardhana. His
son Dharasena IV assumed the imperial titles
of Paramabhattaraka Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara
Chakravartin. Sanskrit poet Bhatti was his court poet. The next powerful
ruler of this dynasty was Śilāditya II.
During the reign of Śilāditya V, Arabs
probably invaded this kingdom. The last known ruler of this dynasty was Śilāditya VI. Maitrakas set up
a Vallabhi University which
came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared
with the Nalanda University. They came under the rule of Harṣa of Vardhana dynasty in the
mid-seventh century, but retained local autonomy, and regained their
independence after Harṣa's death. After
repeated attacks by Arabs from the sea, the kingdom had weakened
considerably. The dynasty ended by 783 CE. Apart from legendary accounts
which connect fall of Vallabi with the Tajjika (Arab) invasions, no historical source mention
how the dynasty ended. More than hundred temples of this period are known, mostly
located along the western coast of Saurashtra. (From Wikipedia) |
c590 AD |
