[8] Atiśa Dīpankara Śrījñāna (982–1054 CE)[5] described this region in his writings: There is a country in the eastern part of India, named Jia Bang Lao.
[2] The pyramid-shaped structure found at Nateshwar was perhaps Atiśa's place of worship or the centre of his preaching.
[9] The "glory of Bikrampur" was previously thought to have disappeared in the Padma's riverbed, namely the "Kirtinasha" (Bengali: কীর্তিনাশা, romanized: Kīrtināśā, lit.
[10] The location of Bikrampur (along with Wari-Bateshwar and Nateshwar) first came to be discussed in the writings of historian Nalini Kanta Bhattasali,[11] the first curator of the Dhaka Museum.
In 2010, the first archaeological excavation work began at nine locations in three villages across Rampal and Bajrayogini; it uncovered the Bikrampur Vihara at Raghurampur, which has been carbon-dated to be from 990 to 1050 CE.
[3] Beginning in 2013, Buddhist temples, octagonal stupas, pathways and drains made of bricks were unearthed.
[1] They reflect the views and culture of Buddhist civilisation, and are sometimes seen as the symbol of Buddhism introduced by Gautam Buddha.
The second phase continued from 950 to 1223 CE and lasted through the reigns of the Chandras, Varman (ca.
[8] Further archaeological findings include the ruins of Buddhist monasteries with seven monastic rooms,[10] two almost intact brick-paved roads, quadrilateral and octagonal stupas used for religious rituals or burials, and a 2.75-metre (9.0 ft) thick meandering wall on the south-east side,[12] suggesting a well-planned city.
[8] Pre-medieval Buddhist viharas (monasteries), panchastupas, octagonal stupas and a brick drainage system along with newly discovered brick pathways, an entrance gate to the stupa complex in the north,[13] and multiple residences indicate a well-established city at Nateshwar.
[14] The Bangladeshi government is planning to develop an archaeological park at Nateshwar after excavations are completed in 2024.
[10] Archaeologists expect that UNESCO will recognise Nateshwar as a World Heritage Site.