Gujrat Under The Maitrakas of Valabhi (History And Culture of Gujrati During The Maitraka Period-Circa 470-788 A.D.)

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I am happy to present to the world of scholars the title "Gujarat Under the Maitrakas of Valabhi," written by Prof. Dr. H.G. Shastri and published under the Gaekwad's Oriental Series as No. 180. The author Prof. Dr. H. G. Shastri had undertaken the research project on the valuable data, supplied by the Sanskrit Inscriptions of Valabhi (i.e. Maitraka) Kingdom and prepared and submitted his Ph.D. Thesis, which was approved for the same in 1947 by the University of Bombay. The Ancient History of Gujarat can broadly be classified in three periods, namely the Ksatrapa period (c. 23 -400 A.D.), the Maitraka period (c. 470-788 A.D.) and the Caulukya period (c. 942-1304 A.D.). The Copper-plate Sanskrit Inscriptions of Gujarat supply ample information not only about the ancient political history of Gujarat but also about its diversified culture. The author has here particularly studied the Copper-plate inscriptions, belonging to the Maitraka period. They throw great light on the ancient political history of Gujarat and also on several other aspects, like administration, religion and society. The book based on the thesis was first published in Gujarati in 1955 as "sold" by the B.J. Institute, Ahmedabad. It was declared to be one of the best books, published in Gujarati during 1951-55 and the author was awarded the Narmad Gold Medal for it by the Narmad Sahitya Sabha, Surat, in 1958. Some new material was discovered after the publication of the book in Gujarati. The then authorities of the Institute decided to publish the revised and enlarged English version of the thesis in the Gaekwad's Oriental Series. It is hoped that the book will be warmly received by lovers of History and those having interest in the prestigious ancient history of Gujarat. We are thankful to Ms. Saswati Sen, Dr. Mrs. Sweta Prajapati and Dr. Mrs. Usha Brahmachari for their help in going through the proofs of the book. We also thank the University Authorities for releasing the required grant for the publication of this book. We are equally grateful to Shri P.N. Shrivastava and his colleagues for composing and printing this book.

The ancient history of Gujarat in Western India highlights three glorious periods covering more than three centuries each, viz. the Kshatrapa Period (circa 23-400 A.D.), the Maitraka Period (circa 470 -788) A.D. and the Caulukya Period (942-1304 A.D.). The history of the Caulukya Kingdom was depicted in detail by Shri D. K. Shastri and Dr. A. K. Majumdar. The history and culture of the Maitraka Period was undertaken by this author and Dr. Miss K. J. Virji. The Kshatrapa Period is delineated by Dr. R.C. Jamindar on the basis of his Thesis prepared under my guidance. When studied the ancient inscriptions of Gujarat as a part of the curriculum of Epigraphy for my post-graduate studies at the University of Bombay during 1940-42, was highly impressed by the valuable data supplied by the copper-plate inscriptions of the Maitraka Kingdom. At the instance of Prof. R.C. Parikh, the Director of the Post- Graduate Department of Gujarat Vernacular Society, Ahmedabad, I therefore, readily chose to undertake research on the data supplied by the Sanskrit Inscriptions of the Valabhi (i.e. Maitraka) Kingdom, under his critical guidance and prepared the Thesis for the degree of Ph.D. during 1942-46. I submitted the Thesis to the University of Bombay, which declared me eligible for the Doctorate in 1947. The Thesis incorporated not only the political history of the Maitraka Kingdom, but also various aspects of its cultural history especially administration, religion and society. Its contents were confined to the Valabhi Kingdom and it lay emphasis on inscriptions as the main source of information. The work was written in English, the prescribed medium of expression for instruction and assessment. When B.J. Institute of Learning and Research offered to publish this work, provided it was rendered into Gujarati, not only rendered it into Gujarati but, also amplified the scope of its contents by incorporating the contemporary kingdom in South Gujarat and supplementing the literary and archaeological sources in detail. The new approach transformed the original work into a comprehensive account of the history and culture of entire Gujarat during the Maitraka Period. The revised and enlarged version, published in 1955 under the title Maitraka-Kälin Gujarat was declared to be the best among the works published in Gujarati in the subject of history during the quinquennium 1951-55 and the author was awarded the Narmad Gold Medal for it by Narmad Sahitya Sabha, Surat, in 1958. A few more epigraphic records of the Maitraka Period came to light before and after the publication of the work in Gujarati. Moreover, the publication of the work in English became a long felt desideratum on national level. In 1960, Dr. B.J. Sandesara, the Director of the Oriental Institute, Baroda, invited me to prepare a revised version of Gujarat Under the Maitrakas of Valabhi for publication. But, the original work finalised in 1946 had to be revised and enlarged to a large extent. I aspired to amplify its scope on the line of Maitraka-Kälin Gujarat and incorporate recently published material into it. It necessiated to rewrite the entire work anew and render it more comprehensive and up-to date. It naturally took long time to revise it and its typed press-copy prepared. As the revised and enlarged work got voluminous, I deleted several original Sanskrit passages cited in foot-notes and selected 37 Illustrations for publication, out of 67 Illustrations collected for the purpose.

In consultation with the authorities of the Oriental Institute, I added the account of contemporary kingdoms in South Gujarat, with a view to covering entire Gujarat during the Maitraka Period. The Directorate of Museums, Gujarat State and B. J. Institute of Learning and Research, Ahmedabad, kindly agreed to give select blocks on loan for publication. Dr. R.T. Vyas. the Ex-Director of the Oriental Institute, took keen interest in the early publication of this research work, its press-copy being ready since long. The work consists of six sections. The introductory section gives a succinct idea of the historical background and the various sources of information. Section II introduces the Maitraka dynasty with its genealogy and chronology, and delineates the career of each successive king. The various theories about the origin of the Maitrakas are discussed critically. The date of the fall of Valabhi is fixed definitely. The Maitrakas reigned from Valabhi which lay on the eastern coast of Saurashtra, and held sway over almost the whole of Gujarat except the southern part of Mainland Gujarat. They ruled for a pretty long period of more than three centuries, from circa 470 A.D. to 788 A.D. They divided their extensive kingdom into Visayas, which were sub-divided into Ahāras and Pathakas. The last chapter of section II gives an introduction to these administrative divisions and sub-divisions. Section III deals with the history of contemporary kingdoms in Gujarat. The Garulakas and the early Saindhavas in Saurashtra reigned as Samantas of the Maitraka Sovereigns. The contemporary dynasties in South Gujarat were not under the supremacy of the Maitrakas. Among them the Gurjaras in North Lata and the Calukyas in South Lața deserve special notice. In section IV, I have dealt with the various aspects of administration, especially, the executors of administration, the divisions and sub-divisions of administration and the land system. Section V delineates various aspects of culture, especially social and economic conditions and religion along with the main sects of Brahmanism, Buddhism and Jainism. Among the Brahmanical sects, Saivism was most popular. Buddhism was in a flourishing condition during this period. Jainism, too, flourished to a large extent. Among literary contributions, Bhattikavya and Harivamsa-Purana deserve special notice. Other contributions cultivated studies of the Vr fas, the Nirukta and Buddhist logic. Valabhi was a renowned centre of education, ranking 1 Nalanda. In section VI, have dealt with the Epigraphy and Numismatics of the Maitraka Pod. The Valabhi Era., a modified form of the Gupta Era, was popular in the Maitraka Kingdom, while the so called Kalachuri or Chedi Era was in vogue in South Gujarat. The years of these Eras commenced with Kärttika. In architecture, the form of the temple attained gradual development, its superstructure rising into several pyramidal tiers. In sculpture, Shamalaji was a centre of Brahmanical and Buddhist icons, while Akota was rich in Jain icons. The work is supplemented by five Appendices, analysing various particulars about the copper-plate inscriptions, and their contents, which form the most copious source of information for this period. The publication contains several Illustrations pertaining to various aspects of the subject. The alphabetic Index of proper names will prove to be helpful for consulting the publications as a research work. I acknowledge my sincere thanks to the Director, Prof. R.I. Nanavati, Oriental Institute, M.S. University, Baroda for inviting me to prepare this work for the Gaekwad's, Oriental Series and undertake to publish it in that renowned series. I also owe thanks to the authorities concerned for supplying necessary photographs and blocks for the publication.I hope this publication on the history and culture of Gujarat during the Maitraka Period (circa 470-788 A.D.) will prove to be useful to the scholars, students and other readers interested in the history and culture of India in general and Gujarat in particular.

**Contents and Sample Pages**