Archaeologist Bhaskar Gyawali said that Kushan-era copper coins and various archaeological materials were found during excavations at a new location than that identified by the previous Geophysics Survey.
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Objects and structures from the Buddhist period have been discovered in Panditpur, Ramgram Municipality-18, West Nawalparasi.
The Department of Archaeology has found more structures from the Buddhist era city during the excavations. Archaeologist Bhaskar Gyawali said that the excavations at a new location, compared to the ones identified by the previous ‘Geophysics Survey’, found copper coins from the Kushan era and various archaeological materials.
‘We had found structures from the Buddhist era city during excavations in this area before. That is why we have kept this area as an important site,’ Gyawali said, ‘The remains of walls, ancient utensils, animal statues, jewelry and copper coins from the Kushan era have been found in the current excavations.’
During the excavations held last year, the objects found underground in the circular-shaped city structure were taken to the UK for testing. The Department of Archaeology has stated that the structures found in Panditpur during the study have been confirmed to be from the sixth century BC.
There are currently settlements and farms in the Panditpur area, which is spread over an area of about 60 bighas. Since it is private land, it should be acquired, but due to lack of budget, it has not been done. The Ramgram Development Fund has stated that although there is a plan to acquire land for the protection of the discovered archaeological objects, the central government should pay attention to it due to lack of budget.
Locals, on the other hand, have been demanding that the state provide appropriate compensation while acquiring the land. Although the Ramgram Municipality has planned to develop the Ramgram Stupa, which houses the ashes of Gautam Buddha, and Panditpur, which is claimed to be the birthplace of Buddha, as a major tourist area, it has not been implemented due to lack of budget.
‘The development of historical areas is not happening at the local level only because it wants to.’ While working in this area, there are many processes including obtaining permission from the Lumbini Development Fund and the Department of Archaeology, said Ramgram Municipality Mayor Dhanpat Yadav, “The federal government should have paid attention to its development and promotion, otherwise all rights should have been given to the local government.”
Scientific examination of the objects found in this area has confirmed that Panditpur is an important archaeological site as structures from the sixth century were found. Panditpur has been claimed as the capital of the Koliya Republic as well as the birthplace of Buddha. Diversity from the Buddhist period to the period of settlement of the Muslim (Mughal) community has been found in Panditpur. The Department of Archaeology has concluded that this is a very ancient settlement as structures from the sixth century were found.
