Ahicchatra was the capital of the undivided land of Pañcāla (Panchala), in ancient times. Earlier insulted by Drupada, Droṇācārya (Dronacharya)took him captive with the help of Arjuna and other Pāṇḍava(s) (Pandava). As a condition for his release, the Pāñcāla kingdom was divided, and Droṇācārya got hold of the northern portion of Pāñcāla. Ahicchatra, belonging to Uttara (Northern) Pañcāla, came under the power of Droṇācārya —
ahicchatrañca viṣayaṃ droṇaḥ samavipadyate.
It is also said that, the portion of Pañcāla extended to the river Carmaṇvatī (Charmanwati) , remained with Drupada, and Droṇa got Uttara Pañcāla, and its capital became Ahicchatra. As a city , it is known as Ahicchatrā Purī (Ahicchatra Puri).

Before Droṇācārya’s overtaking of Pañcāla, Ahicchatra was the capital of the entire Pañcāla, and it was then known as Chatravatī (Chatravati)–
pārṣato drupado rājā chatravatyāṃ nareśvara.

This land was also known as Ahikṣetra or Ahikṣatra. During his digvijaya. Karṇa(Karna) conquered the land.

In Jaina texts, Ahicchatra is said to be the chief city of a land called ‘Jangala; so it is assumed that like Kurujāngala in Mahābhārata (Mahabharata), Pañcāl was also called ‘Jangala’.
According to the Jaina text Ācārāṅga-nirukti (Acharanga-nirukti), Dhoranendra worshiped lord Pārśvanātha (Parswanatha) in this place. Ahicchatra is also known by other names, such as Śaṅkhavāi (Sankhavai), Śaṅkhāvatī (Sankhavati)and Pratyagraratha.
The ancient Ahicchatra is the modern Ramnagar, near Anola in Berili, in Uttar Pradesh.

From archaeological excavation in Ahicchatra, the remains of an ancient city and a big temple have been found. Along with that, some smooth-surfaced pots of black clay have also been found. Some years ago, from another excavation, the existence of iron, along with some grey earthenware have been found, too — this is very important in terms of antiquity. From the proof of Pabhosa wall-inscription, it is found that there was a king called Vahasātimitra (Vahasatimitra) in Ahicchatra, because coins with his name embossed on them, have been found in the Ramnagar region. In another Pabhosa inscription, another royal personage called Āṣāḍhasena (Ashadhasena) can be found, he was believed to have been born in Ahicchatra in the beginning of the Christian century. In the Allahabad inscription by Hariṣeṇa (Harishena), a glorious king called Acyuta (Achyuta) is mentioned, and coins bearing his name, have also been found in Ahicchatra, or modern Ramnagar. When Xuanzang came to travel in India in the 7th century AD, Ahicchatra was still known by its ancient name.
Now, the last remains of ancient Ahicchatra is available in the Alampura-Kota region and a fort in Nasratgunj.