The _________ were tributary chiefs of the Gupta dynasty. They established an independent kingdom in western India. Dhruvasena II was the most important ruler of this kingdom.

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Step 1: Identify the dynasty — The Maitrakas were originally tributary chiefs under the Gupta empire and later established an independent kingdom in western India (Vallabhi in Saurashtra).

Step 2: Key ruler — $	ext{Dhruvasena II}$ is recorded as the most important ruler of the Maitraka line, confirming the identification.

Step 3: Eliminate other options:
- Maukharis: a north Indian power, not the Vallabhi rulers.
- Pushyabhutis: dynasty of Harsha (Thaneshwar/Thanesar region), not western India.
- Gurjara Pratiharas: a later north-western Indian power, not Gupta tributary chiefs who founded Vallabhi.

Conclusion: The description matches the Maitrakas (option 1), so the correct answer is (a).

FINAL_ANSWER: a

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