the "senapati" (general) bhatarka, was a military governor of saurashtra peninsula under gupta empire, who had established himself as the independent ruler of gujarat approximately in the last quarter of 5th century when the gupta empire weakened. he continued to use the title of "senapati" (general). apart from his military accomplishments, not much is known from the copper-plates. he was shaiva according to the title "parama-maheshwara" used for him in grants by his descendants. it seems that he transferred the capital from girinagar (girnar) to vallabhi. the legends of all valabhi coins are marked with "sri-bhatarka". almost all the maitraka inscriptions start with his name. he is known only from the copperplate inscriptions of descendants.