Buddha-Era Remnants Unearthed in Panditpur

The ruins of an ancient city have been uncovered during an archaeological excavation in Panditpur of Ramgram Municipality-18, Nawalparasi.

Bhaskar Gyawali, chief of the Archaeology Section at the Department of Archaeology, revealed that the excavation unearthed significant artifacts linked to cities of the Koliya republic.

“The recent month-long excavation aimed to verify remnants identified during a geophysical survey conducted in Fiscal Year 2075/76 BS (2018/19). The findings confirm that Panditpur was one of the cities of the Koliya republic,” Gyawali stated.

The primary focus of the excavation at two sites was to authenticate wall structures identified in the earlier study. At one site, a three-meter-deep pit was excavated, revealing evidence of human settlements spanning periods from the Buddha and Maurya eras to the Muslim period.

At another site, remnants resembling a sentry post were discovered. Additional artifacts, including clay pot fragments, animal figurines, ornaments, and wall structures, were also recovered, Gyawali said.

To preserve the integrity of the findings, construction has been prohibited within 1,000 meters along the east-west and north-south axes of Panditpur.

These discoveries shed light on the cultural and historical significance of Panditpur, offering valuable insights into the Koliya republic and its connection to ancient civilizations.