Pundra is the name of one of the important towns of ancient Bengal. Pundra 'Jan' or nation formed this town. The Pundras were close to Bengal and other ethnic groups. The capital of the kingdom of Pundra is Pundranagar. Pundranagar is situated on the banks of the river Karateya, not far from the present town of Bogra. Later it was renamed as Mahasthangarh. The northern part of Pundra kingdom was called Barindra , Barindri or Barindbhumi. The Rajshahi region is still called Barind.