Maitrakas
Years: 475 - 767
The Maitraka dynasty rules Gujarat in western India from c. 475 to 767.
The founder of the dynasty, Senapati (general) Bhatarka, is a military governor of Saurashtra peninsula under Gupta Empire, who establishes himself as the independent ruler of Gujarat approximately in the last quarter of 5th century.
The first two Maitraka rulers Bhatarka and Dharasena I use only the title of Senapati (general).
The third ruler Dronasimha declares himself as the Maharaja.
King Guhasena stops using the term Paramabhattaraka Padanudhyata along with his name like his predecessors, which denotes the cessation of displaying of the nominal allegiance to the Gupta overlords.
He is succeeded by his son Dharasena II, who uses the title of Mahadhiraja.
His son, the next ruler Siladitya I, Dharmaditya is described by Hiuen Tsang as a "monarch of great administrative ability and of rare kindness and compassion".
Siladitya I is succeeded by his younger brother Kharagraha I.
During the reign of the next ruler, Dharasena III, north Gujarat is included in this kingdom.
Dharasena II is succeeded by another son of Kharagraha I, Dhruvasena II, Baladitya.
He marries the daughter of Harshavardhana.
His son Dharasena IV assumes the imperial titles of Paramabhattaraka Mahrajadhiraja Parameshvara Chakravartin.
Sanskrit poet Bhatti os his court poet.
The next powerful ruler of this dynasty is Siladitya III.
During the reign of Siladitya V, Arabs probably invades this kingdom.
The last known ruler of this dynasty is Siladitya VII.
The Maitrakas rule from their capital at Vallabhi.
They come under the rule of Harsha in the mid-7th century, but retain local autonomy, and regain their independence after Harsha's death.
Maitraka rule ends with the sacking of Vallabhi by barbarians in 524, according to James Tod and in the second or third quarter of the 8th century by various other scholars.
There is no agreement among the scholars as to who these barbarians were.
