Sylhet is a small town in Bangladesh, and is situated in the northwest of the country, just south of the border with India. The city is known for its unique architecture, and its rich and varied history. It is also home to a number of distinct ethnic groups, such as Hindus and Turko-Persian Muslims. Aside from these ethnic groups, the city is also famous for its beautiful temples. These temples include the Handesh, Sufi, and Nunor Bora temples.
Handesh
Handesh is a popular dish in Sylhet. They are made from rice flour and molasses. These sweet deep fried treats are usually eaten with tea. It is also considered a festive food on festivals and weddings in the region.
Although there are many different types of handesh, they all follow a similar process. First, the batter is whisked until it is smooth. Next, the batter is poured into the centre of the wok. The oil is then heated over a medium temperature and the handesh are fried. You should have a nice golden colour and a light, puffed up appearance. When the handesh are cooked through, they are pulled away from the centre of the pan with a spoon.
There are two main types of handesh. One is a white soft khichuri. A yellow version is also served, but is not quite as good. This is also known as Kubek Pakon, which is a smazona with artystyczny symbol.
Another popular Sylheti dish is Hutki Shira, which is fermented fish curry. In addition to the fish, it also has other ingredients, such as prawns, leafy greens, and vegetables.
In the second half of the 19th century, Europeans introduced biscuits and loaves to the Sylhet region. However, the Sylheti people started making Bakarkhani in the 18th century, a type of cookie that is still consumed today.
Nunor Bora
Nunor Bora is a salty snack. It is popular in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh. The recipe is simple to prepare and can be stored for months.
There are several variations on the recipe. In particular, a variation involving coconut milk is common. Other dishes include a tangy curry. One other is a dessert based on flour.
Another is a dish that incorporates dried fish. Also, there is a special citrus ovoce that is used on the occasion of the Eid-ul-Adha festival.
If you are looking to make your own nunor bora, here are some of the important ingredients you need. You can also make the same recipe in a large wok.
Some other essentials are ginger and turmeric. When frying, you should also ensure the oil is hot. Once the noodles are cooked, you can serve them with chilli sauce or ketchup.
Alternatively, you can use a cookie stamper to cut the dough. This makes it easier to cut out circles. Lastly, you can freeze the boras in freezer bags for easy access. They can be reheated in a pan, and are a good alternative to fried snacks.
You might have already heard of Norom Kisuri. This is a traditional meal in the Sylhet region of Bangladesh.
In fact, it’s the most popular dish in the area. The chut and smell are similar to those of Bangladesska kuchyne.
Hindu
A little-known gem of Bangladesh, Sylhet is a historic city and an important spiritual and cultural center. It is a land of lush tea gardens and sprawling forests. The city is home to many ethnic groups and minority religions.
Hinduism is the second largest religion among the Sylhetis. However, the majority of the population is Sunni Islam. Many followers of Sufism also live in Sylhet. During the British rule, Wahhabism was adopted by upper-class families.
A number of incidents of violence against Hindus occurred in Sylhet between 1996 and 1997. These include the attack on a Hindu temple and a woman’s medical clinic. In one incident, a Hindu girl was poisoned and died.
Another violent incident occurred on January 14, 2000. Five Muslims attacked and abducted a Hindu girl in Ronikhai. Later, a local Muslim League resorted to violence and intimidation against Hindus. They threatened to return to Kargram if individuals did not leave.
Another instance involved the burning of Hindu houses in Mohajonpara. Moreover, several Hindu temples were damaged. This was an attempt by Jamaat-e-Islami to disrupt Hindu religious festivities in the area.
Sylhet is also home to numerous indigenous peoples. Some of the tribal groups include the Mandai, Garo, Khasi, Monipuri, and Tripura. Besides these, other minority religions include Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. Historically, Sylhet was a Hindu/Buddhist region.
The Sylhet diaspora mainly concentrated in the United States, Canada, and Germany.
Sufi
The Sufi tradition has been practiced in Sylhet, Bangladesh for centuries. It is rooted in the Muslim belief that poetry and meditation can bring a person closer to God. Among the prominent figures in the Sufi tradition are Shah Jalal, Fultolir Sahib, and Jalal Mujarrad Kunyai.
The legend of Shah Jalal is a well-known Sufi figure in Bangladesh. In 1381, he arrived with 360 followers from Yemen and overthrew Raja Gaur Govinda, the ruler of Sylhet. This story is a major part of the self-conceptualization of Sylheti Muslims. His tomb is located at the Dargah, one of the largest mosques in Bangladesh.
Shah Jalal’s tomb is covered with a rich brocade. He is buried next to four companions. At his tomb, the local people come to pay tribute. The shrine is famous in Sylhet.
Shah Kamal’s nephew, Khawaja Shah Kamal Qahafan, settled in Ratna river. His influence was felt in Sylhet, and a number of mosques were built. There are also shrines dedicated to him and his brother.
The Fultoli tradition is also practiced in Sylhet. This tradition was initiated by the eminent Sufi figure of Fultolir Sahib. Known for his silsila, which is a form of authority, he gave simple instructions for his followers. They were instructed to recite shahada, or prayers, 100 times a day and to seek forgiveness from God.
While the Fultoli tradition is not a strong religious movement in the U.S., it is practiced by the majority of first-generation Bangladeshi migrants to the United Kingdom. Some political Islamist groups have criticized the Sufi order and accused it of apostasy.
Turco-Persian
Turco-Persian is a cultural and ideological tradition that emerged during the early centuries of Islam. The Turkic people of Central Asia influenced the development of this tradition.
Turco-Persian dynasties controlled much of East Bengal. They spread their culture eastward into India. This is where they met the Muslim conquerors of Sylhet. Some of them, such as Sikandar Khan Ghazi, became a wazir of the Mughal emperor, Shamsuddin Firuz Shah.
Many Persians migrated to Bengal in the mid-nineteenth century to work. They settled in the towns of Sylhet and Calcutta. They wrote in the Bengali language, and many of them studied Arabic literature.
The Turko-Persian tradition provided a number of elements for both sides to express their shared concerns. The influx of Muslims into Sylhet changed the language, and the people began to use words from other areas to replace the Bengali vocabulary.
In the nineteenth century, Abdul Karim, an early Londoni, began publishing works in the Sylheti language. He also established the Islamia Press in Sylhet. Other presses were started in Sunamgonj and Calcutta.
As of today, Sylheti is spoken by about ten percent of the population of Bangladesh. It is not a native language of the Bengalis, but it is a dialect.
Shah Jalal’s Muslim conquest brought many saints from different regions to Sylhet. These saints brought with them their own version of Islam. Eventually, the people of Sylhet started speaking a dialect that merged the Bengali and Persian vocabulary.
Ethnic groups
The Sylhet region is located in the northeastern part of Bengal. It is a part of Bangladesh. Among the major ethnic groups in the region are the Hajong, Marma, and Tripura.
Most people in the region are Muslim. They draw their income from regular agriculture. Some groups make use of traditional methods and others are mainly involved in technology. These people work harder than the rest of the population and their lifestyle is different.
There are also other religions in the region. According to the Bangladesh Adivasi Forum, 45 ethnic groups reside in the country. People of each group speak their own dialect.
The region has been known for its earthquakes. Three major earthquakes have hit the area in the last 150 years. One of these occurred in 1918.
Besides, a number of large-scale buildings, such as shopping malls and hotels, have been built in the city. Most of these are designed in a way to cater to a growing middle class and the tourist population.
One of the largest industries in the area is the Sylhet Tea Company. This company is owned by Ragib Ali and employs almost 300,000 workers. During British rule, many Englishmen became wealthy in tea production.
Several western-style restaurants have opened in the city. Expatriates and tourists come to the area to shop. New stores are being constructed to a high-end standard.