Sylhet, Bangladesh is a place for travelers and tourists to go and explore. It is home to an exciting culture, and has beautiful places to visit. The people here are friendly and helpful, and are proud to share their culture with visitors. There are also a number of tourist attractions and activities to do while visiting the city, including the Floating Market. You can learn more about this city by reading this article.
History
Located in the North East Indian subcontinent, Sylhet is one of the three districts in Barak Valley of Assam. It is a geologically distinct region. In 1971, Sylhet joined Bangladesh.
The history of Sylhet refers to the past of the city, and the district, of Sylhet in Assam, India. It was first under Muslim rule, and then under British rule. This book traces the history of the two periods in the light of oral testimony and secondary data.
During the period of British colonialism, the area was part of the Assam Province. A referendum was held on July 6, 1947 to decide whether the area would join either Pakistan or India after Partition. Hundreds of thousands of votes were cast. Ultimately, the majority of the people of Sylhet voted for East Bengal.
For 70 years, Sylhet was governed by Assam’s colonial masters. Most of the time, it was referred to as Jalalabad.
Shah Jalal was the founder of Islam in Sylhet. He led 360 companions and converted most of the population to Islam. His shrine, the Dargah-e-Shah Jalal mosque complex, is located in Sylhet City.
A popular sport amongst Sylhetis is football. One of the iconic crops of Sylhet is tea. Tea was first traded in the Sylhet hills by the East India Company.
Major earthquakes have occurred in Sylhet. The last earthquake in the region was in 1918.
Geography
The Geography of Sylhet in Bangladesh is a unique blend of both natural and manmade factors. This diverse region, located in the northeastern corner of the country, is characterized by lush tropical forests, plush highland terrain and typical Bangladeshi climate.
Historically, Sylhet served as a major Muslim cultural and religious center. Several government colleges and universities are also located in the city, and Sylhet is home to the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
A large majority of people living in Sylhet are Muslims, but a small minority of Hindus live in the region. Individuals from Sylhet are part of the Bangladeshi diaspora in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Sylhet is the largest city in Bangladesh, but it is not its only economic centre. The Sylhet Valley is one of the main oil producing regions in the country. It is also known for its high quality cane, tea and agarwood.
Tourism is a growing industry in the Sylhet region. Over 20 to 25 lakh visitors visit the area each year. Many foreign tourists are attracted to the region because of its easy communication facilities, the beautiful natural landscape and the availability of luxurious hotel accommodations.
The region is home to many tribal communities, some of whom practice handloom weaving. However, the area is primarily based on agriculture and the production of rice and vegetable crops.
Culture
Located in north-eastern Bangladesh, Sylhet is an important regional centre. A major tea producing region, Sylhet has a population of over 500,000. It has a tropical monsoon climate. The region is also surrounded by tea estates and subtropical hills.
In ancient times, Sylhet was ruled by local chieftains. Today, Sylhet is one of the largest cities in Bangladesh, and is a popular tourist destination. There are many historic and cultural places to visit in the city.
Sylhet is known for its collection of Muslim tombs. It was also the birthplace of General M A G Osmani. Also, a large number of Sufi shrines are present in the region. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Sylhet was a focal point for Bengali revolutionaries.
However, the cultural tradition of Sylhet has experienced significant changes. Globalization has affected social behaviour and traditional living in the region.
In addition, a significant portion of the diaspora has moved to different countries, including the United Kingdom, the Middle East, and the United States. Sylheti people tend to be open-minded and helpful. They are friendly to tourists and visitors and love to receive gifts. Moreover, they maintain marital relationships within the same cultural background.
A large number of Sylhetis are Muslims. The bulk of them follow Sunni Hanafi school of law. But a small minority follows Shia Islam. Some other minority religions are Hinduism and Christianity.
Tourism
Sylhet is a beautiful city in Bangladesh with a lot to see and do. During the rainy season, thousands of tourists flock to Sylhet to experience the beauty of the area. You can book a tour to Sylhet from various online portals. However, it is important to understand that there are certain restrictions associated with traveling to this city.
Tourism in Sylhet is primarily dependent on the monsoon. If you’re planning a visit to this city, you should be aware that the monsoon is unpredictable.
One of the best ways to enjoy the nature of Sylhet is by boating. A trip to Bisnakandi from Sylhet will take you through the scenic rural landscape, sinuous falls and cloud hugging mountain views.
Another popular attraction is the Panthumai waterfall. Although you can see it at any time, you’ll find it more impressive in the rainy season.
In Sylhet, there are several hotels to choose from. The Hill Town Hotel, Gulshan Hotel, Surma Hotel, and Dargah Gate Hotel are some examples. Most of the hotels offer accommodation as per your needs and budget.
A number of popular restaurants are also available in Sylhet. Pansi, Spicey, and Five Brothers are some of the places where you can eat desi food. Also, the Mama’s Market area has several eateries to choose from.
Alternatively, you can stay in a traditional rest house for as little as 400 rupees. Traditional rest houses can be found in Lala Bazar and on the Dargah Road.
Remittances from abroad
Remittances from abroad to Sylhet are a significant contributor to the development of Bangladesh. The amount of money sent reaches over twice the annual GDP of the country. Nevertheless, remittances have caused new inequalities. However, they can also have positive effects on development in countries of emigration.
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Sylhet has the worst literacy rate in the country. Also, child malnutrition rates are higher than the World Health Organization’s threshold of 15 percent.
There are several factors contributing to the migration of Bangladeshi workers. One of the key concerns is corruption and red tape. Another is the political schism between the Awami League and the Bangladesh National Party. This is in addition to other issues such as social tensions and mental illness.
In order to study the use of remittances, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics surveyed the use of remittances by different households in Sylhet. Results showed that 40 percent of households received remittances through a money transfer agency. Other channels include mobile banking systems, bKash and western union.
Among remittance-receiving households (RRHs), the majority are parents and spouses. They live in katcha houses and own less than one acre of land.
Almost all RRHs have a mobile phone. Some invest in a savings account. RRHs also have a cot, Almirah and tubewell water. But the average saving is only 13.2 percent of the average remittances they receive.
Economy
The economy of Sylhet is the fifth largest in the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. It has a gross state product of $16 billion in nominal terms.
Sylhet is a subtropical city with lush highland terrain. It has a population of more than half a million people. It is the divisional capital of Bangladesh. In addition, it has a direct link to the rest of the world through its international airport.
Until recently, Sylhet was industrially underprivileged. However, the government has made efforts to establish a number of industrial parks. These include the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Dhaka, Chittagong, Savar and Mongla.
Gas-based industrialization is important for the economy of Sylhet. Almost all of the proven gas reserves are located in the region. This means that the region can offer ample opportunities for such industries. Moreover, there are different companies that can transport gas to factories.
Most of the gas produced in Sylhet is consumed as thermal power. It is also used in fertilizer manufacturing. There are 17 gas fields in the region. Experts believe that there are more gas resources in the region than what was originally thought.
Sylhet has the potential to become the hub of gas-based industry. However, there is still a large gap between demand and supply. Therefore, it is important for the government to create more economic zones in the area.