The ruler Dhruvasena II (7th century CE), who was a son-in-law of Harshavardhana, belonged to the:

Dhruvasena II (also called Baladitya) was a ruler of the Maitraka dynasty of Valabhi, in present-day Gujarat, in the 7th century CE.

About the Maitrakas:

• They ruled over Saurashtra and parts of Gujarat from about 475 CE to 776 CE.
• Their capital was Valabhi (Vallabhi), near present-day Vala, in the Bhavnagar district of Gujarat.
• The dynasty was founded by a military chief, who had probably served the Guptas.
• The Maitrakas were followers of Shaivism, but were also great patrons of Buddhism and Jainism.

About Dhruvasena II:

• He ruled in the first half of the 7th century.
• According to Xuanzang, he was defeated by Harshavardhana, after which a peace was made, and Harsha gave his daughter in marriage to him.
• He thus became Harsha's son-in-law and ally.
• Xuanzang describes him as a devout Buddhist, who attended Harsha's great assemblies.

Valabhi as a centre of learning:

• Valabhi was a great centre of education, comparable to Nalanda in the east.
• It had many Buddhist monasteries, where students from different parts of India studied.
• The Chinese pilgrims described it as a place of learning.

The end of the Maitrakas:

The Maitraka kingdom came to an end in the late 8th century, probably due to Arab raids from Sindh.

The "Valabhi era":

The Gupta era, counted from 319-320 CE, continued to be used in Saurashtra under the name "Valabhi Samvat".

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Chalukyas of Badami were rivals of Harsha in the Deccan.
• ✗The Maukharis of Kannauj were related to Harsha through his sister Rajyashri.
• ✗Good to know
• ✗The Varmans were allies of Harsha.