POST GUPTA PERIOD
Northern India (Post Gupta to Muslim conquest)
Maitrakas of Vallabhi
Towards the middle of the 5th century A.D., the Gupta empire started to decline. Senapati Bhatarka, the Maitrak general of the Guptas, took advantage of the situation. in 470 AD,, he laid the foundation of his kingdom of Valabhi what came to be known as the Maitrak kingdom. He shifted his capital from Girinager to Valabhipur, near Bhavnagar, on Saurashtra's east coast. Maitrak of Valabhi became very powerful and their writ prevailed over large parts of Gujarat and even over adjoining Malwa.Bhataraka was succeeded by his son Dharasena-I, both of them called themselves, Senapatis ! The next five rulers namely Dronasimha, Dhruvasena-I, Darpatta, Guhasena and Dharasena-II were called Maharajas. Dharasena-II was succeeded by his son Siladitya-I Dharmaditya. He ruled between 606 AD and 612 AD, covered an extensive territory and Valabhi was the most powerful kingdom in Western India. Siladitya was succeeded by his son Dharasena-III who annexed Gujarat to his territory. A successor of hasty temper, Dhruvasena-II, the younger brother of Dharasena-III ruled till 641 AD. He was a religious character, and he attended many Buddhist assemblies.
There was a lot of trouble during the after the death of Dharasena-IV, but was only restored during the next ruler Siladitya-III. The successors of Siladitya-III were Siladitya-IV, Siladitya-V, Siladitya-VI and Siladitya-VII. It was during the reign of Siladitya-VII, the family of Valabhi came to an end. The rise and growth of the Chalukyas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas was a serious menace to Valabhi and was partially the cause for its end..
Maitrakas set up a university which came to be known far and wide for its scholastic pursuits and was compared with the famous Nalanda university. There was an atmosphere for intellectual freedom in the university and the scholars from all parts of India came to Valabhi and stayed for more than two to three years to discuss 'Possible and Impossible Doctrines'
They issued coins (drachms) in the style of Western Kshatrapas. Though one can't see any artistic talents of their own, the excellent minting techniques could be observed. The obverse of their coinage carried a stylished bust presenting military characteristics on the face of the ruler, and the reverse carried their name and the title in Brahmi legend.