Maitraka Dynasty

▪ Indian dynasty

      Indian dynasty that ruled in Gujarāt and Saurāshtra (Kāthiāwār) from the 5th to the 8th century AD. Its founder, Bhaṭārka, was a general who, taking advantage of the decay of the Gupta empire, established himself as ruler of Gujarāt and Saurāshtra with Valabhi (modern Vala) as his capital. Although the early Maitraka kings were loosely feudatory to the Guptas, they were in fact independent. Under the powerful Śīlāditya I (c. late 6th century), the kingdom became very influential; its rule extended into Mālwa and Rājasthān. Later, however, the Maitrakas suffered at the hands of the Cālukyas (Chalukyas) of the Deccan and of the emperor Harṣa of Kannauj. After Harṣa's death, the Maitrakas revived, but the Arabs who had established themselves in Sind in 712 killed the last Maitraka king, Śīlāditya VI, and razed his capital about 780.

      Bhaṭārka and his successors were great patrons of religious foundations. Their kingdom was an important centre of Buddhism, and, according to tradition, it was in Valabhī that the Śvetāmbara Jaina canon was codified.

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