History of Bikrampur & Nateswar

Munshiganj district, formerly a subdivision under Dhaka district, was established in 1984. Today's Munshiganj was once a part of ancient glorious region of Bikrampur. Bikrampur (Munshiganj) was the political and cultural centre of ancient Bengal. It was officially known as Bikrampur until 1986. It was the capital city of the Chandra, Varman and Sean dynasties, from the beginning of the 10th century AD to the middle of the 13th century AD.

Bikrampur was the birth place of great Buddhist scholar Atish Dipankar. He was born here in Bajrajogini  Village in the year between (980-983) AD. At that moment the subcontinent had three renowned Bihars/Universities. Those were Shompuri Bihar ,Odontopuri Bihar and Bikramshila Bihar. Atish Dipankar taught his disciples in all of the Bihars/Universities. Bikramshila Bihar was the largest among others. Historians predict that the Bikramshila Bihar was established by the 2nd king of Pal dynasty (Dharmapal) and it was in the Bikrampur area. It is believed that, there were 8000 students and 108 teachers in the Bikramshila Bihar/University.

Recently in Raghurampur, very near to Bajrajogini village an old Buddhist educational site is unearthed. The carbon dating of the artifacts of the site reveals that the site was built during 990-1050 AD. Consequently, archaeologists have unearthed another ancient Buddhist site that is believed to be a thousand years old at Nateshwar  in Tongibari upazila of Munshiganj. (excerpt)  faceofbangla.com