Tewar was originally known as "Tripuri" (literally, "three cities"), a Sanskrit-language name that occurs in ancient literature and inscriptions, sometimes with the variation "Tripura".

"Tirpuri", the Prakrit form of the name, can be found on copper coins dated to the 2nd century BCE or earlier.

[3] During 1951–52, a Sagar University team led by M G Dixit conducted excavations at Tewar, and found remnants of the black and red ware culture, along with microliths.

The Pune and Baroda teams later withdrew, but the Sagar University continued the excavations until 1971, under the leadership of K. D. Bajpai.

[7] From the post-Satavahana period, the excavations have revealed baked clay sealings and coins of the Bodhi dynasty, whose rule is dated to the 2nd and the 3rd centuries.