The period from the 6th to the 10th century CE in the Indian North-West marks a crucial transitional phase in South Asian history. Despite the political diversity in early medieval South Asia the region is unified by the adoption of a common script, called Proto-Śāradā. This era is also characterized by significant religious transformations, including the gradual decline of Buddhism, the growing dominance of Hindu traditions, and the advent of Islam. The diversity of sources available to reconstruct this period presents a complex challenge, as these sources are often difficult to harmonize. By drawing on epigraphy, paleography, literature, art, and archaeology, the panel, seeks to reassess the historical and cultural context of the region, challenging the notion of this era as a 'dark period.' The panel takes place in the framework of the Proto-Śāradā Project of the universities of Würzburg and Lausanne (https://www.phil.uni-wuerzburg.de/proto-sharada-project/).