ABSTRACT
The three copper plates of the Hūṇa ruler Toramana taken together may throw interesting light on the economic, social and cultural conditions in Gujarat during the first two decades of the sixth century. The Huna occupation of parts of Gujarat is to be dated by the third year of Toramana’s reign; in other words, almost immediately after his rule is recorded in eastern Malwa in the Eran stone boar inscription of his subordinate Dhanyavisnuin his regnal year. Agricultural activities in the rural areas within the visaya of Sivabhagapura will be evident from the references to paddy, molasses and cotton. The popularity of Vaianavism in Malwa and western India is known since the Gupta times and seems to have continued unabated during the Huna occupation of the area. Buddhist monasteries in contemporary times were noted for their providing medical care to monks and the laity; but an early-sixth century Vaisnava temple in western India functioned more or less similarly.
