As in the case of the Indian sub-continent as a whole,
it is not possible to provide a connected history of Vikrampur
during the initial centuries after the Aryans extended
their settlements and their culture. The reason is that
not many authentic historical records exist. Some stray
events can, however, be mentioned. For example, a claim
has been made that Guatama Buddha had visited Vikrampur
twice or perhaps thrice. He is said to have praised the
simple cottages of Vikrampur and encouraged his Shramans
to live in them. If true, these visits must have taken
place in the sixth century B.c. when Lord Buddha lived.
According Prof. Sirjual Islam Lelins, some areas of Vikrapur
formed part of the kingdom of the Lichchavis towards the
end of sixth century B.c. This author also suggests that
a ruler of the Nanda dynasty had annexed Magdha and that
Vikrampur became a part of that kingdom.6
Both Romesh Chandra Mazumdar and Niharranjan Ray have
mentioned the possiblity that this Nanda ruler was a
Bengalee. Several Greek writers have stated that when
Alexander invaded India in 327 B.C., there were two
powerful kingdoms to the east of the Beas river whose
names were (a) Gangaridai (or Gangarastra), whose capital
was Gange (or Ganganagar); and (b) Prasioi (or Prachya)
whose capital was Paliborthra (or Pataliputra). Some
historians are of the view that the Gangarastra comprised
the territory to the east of the Bhagirathi and the
Pnchya kingdom extended westward beyond the Bhagirathi
over almost the entire IndoGangetic plain. It has also
been surmised by some that the two kingdoms were under
the same ruler in the 4th century B.C. and formed a
big United Kingdom. Vikrampur was believed to be in
Gangarastra.
The powerful ruler Of this United Kingdom was Agrammes
or Xandrammes (i.e. the son of Ugrasena), who, acording
to Dr. Niharranjan Ray, was perhaps identical with Mahapadma
Nanda of the Puranas. Agrammes was said to have been
born in the family of a barber, while, according to
the Puranas, he was a 'Shudra' by caste. This fits in
with the general stand of the Aryans, who regarded the
people of Bengal as 'Shudras'. This seems to have been
a golden age of Bengal, as its ruler Mahapadma Nanda
had extended his sway over Bengal, Magadha and Aryavartasomething
which Shashank and Dharmapala were to do at later dates.
One of the several reasons behind Alexander's decision
not to proceed eastward beyond the river Beas may have
been the prowess, the large army and the vast wealth
of this Nanda ruler.
Acknowledgement: this part of the historical background
of Vikrampur has been compiled from the book "In
Sun and Shower" by H.A. Barari.
