Bandala, a village in Amritsar district, is believed to be one of the oldest settlements in the region. Locals say its roots date back to the Indus Valley (Harappan) Civilization, making it a place of great historical interest.Residents often find old bricks and other relics when the soil is dug up during reconstruction or repair works. These findings have strengthened the belief that remains of an ancient settlement lie buried beneath the village. However, no major excavation has been carried out in Bandala by the Archaeological Survey of India or other major institutions.Historian Jatinder Singh Aulakh, in his book “Majha in Ancient Ages: Mythology and Archaeology Study of Majha Area in Punjab”, said the village was reestablished in the 12th century by a man named Melkhi, who had come from the Malwa region. He is believed to have named the village “Bulandwala” owing to its location atop a raised mound, which was considered to make it safe and secure. Over time, the name is said to have evolved to Bandala.However, local traditions offer a different story. Satinderbir Singh Hundal said, “According to oral history narrated by our elders, there were two brothers, Nona and Bahona, who came from Malwa and settled here. This village is believed to have been named after Bahona. A nearby village named Nona adds weight to this belief.”The village is also surrounded by interesting legends. Some stories connect it to Alexander the Great. According to locals, a Nath yogi from the village had predicted the death of the conqueror. Some historians believe that the placer was known as “Jadla Nagri” in ancient times and may have found mentions in the Mahabharata.Historical records from the Amritsar District Gazetteer 1883–84 describe Bandala (also called Bundala) as an important village about nine miles south-east of Amritsar. At that time, it had a population of over 5,000 people, most of whom depended on agriculture.Even today, Bandala continues to hold its quiet charm. But beneath its homes, there may lie a hidden past waiting to be discovered. Many believe that proper archaeological study could reveal the true history of the ancient village.