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Introduction
LI
however, on the strength of certain references in the Arya Manjuṣrī Kalpa and the Paikuli Sassanian inscription in Asuristan regards the Maitrakas as a branch of Yadavas (pp. 25-26) *
The Historical Inscriptions of Gujarat Part I edited by Mr. Acharya, publishes one hundred and one copper plates of which five are undated and do not contain the names of the donors. The first plate is that of Dronasimha and is dated Valabhi samvat 183 Sravana 15th of the bright half which agrees with 502 A. D. Saturday 6th of July. The last plate that we have is that of Siladitya the Seventh and is V. S. 447 Jyeshtha 5th of the bright half which will correspond with 766-67 A. D. May or June. Thus we have records for two hundred and sixty five years. The plate issued by Droṇasimha does not mention the names of his elder brother Dharasena or his father Sri Bhatarka, unless we understand Paramabhaṭṭāraka - pādānudhyāto in Droṇasimha's plate as referring to Bhaṭakka or Bhaṭārka. The first mention of the names of the founder and his eldest son is in the plate of Dhruvasena I dated Valabhi samvat 206 Bhadrapada that is, 525-26 A. D. If we suppose that Bhaṭārka became independent after the death of Skandagupta whose general, presumably, he was,‡ we may say that
Mr. C. V. Vaidya, however. is of the opinion that Maitraka was the name of the family like Maukhari, Chalukya etc., and that it must be left untranslated, and no conjectures should be hazarded about its meaning. But if any are to be made, why not say that Maitraka means Maitra - born of the sun. p. 243 History of Medieval Hindu India Vol. I.
*
It is not certain whether Toramana's sway extended over Gujarat or not. If it did, we will have to come down to 490 A. D. for Bhatarka's independence.
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