Sylhet is a city in eastern Bangladesh that is famous for its Sufi shrines. There are many shrines that people can visit in the city, including the tomb of 14th century saint Hazrat Shah Jalal. It is also home to a huge open-air hilltop mosque, the Shahi Eidgh, which was built by Emperor Aurangzeb.
Historical significance
The historical significance of Sylhet can be traced to the time when Buddhism was a major religion in the region. During the first millennium, the area around Sylhet was home to a number of Sufi disciples. Some of these renowned poets include Syed Rayhan ad-Din, Muhammad Arshad and Syed Shah Israil.
As the centuries passed, the area became a part of several kingdoms. In the 14th century, Sylhet was capital of raja Gaur Gobind. But the city was subjected to raids from nearby kingdoms. One such attack came in the year 1795. This was the last Khasi raid that took place in the region.
The British East India Company saw the region as a strategic location. The company established a tea plantation in the Mulnicherra estate, which was the largest commercial tea estate in the Bengal region. It was also the first commercial tea estate in British India.
Many Muslim Sylhetis settled in Britain and started restaurants. Others were crew members on merchant ships.
During the Age of Empire, the local Sylhetis pioneered the crossing of the sea. Their number increased during wars. Several of them ended up in the docks, while others married English women. A few settled in America and England.
After the Partition of the Indian subcontinent, Sylhet became part of East Pakistan. However, it remains to be seen how this historic event has affected the lives of its citizens. Currently, the city is under the control of the Government of Bangladesh.
In 1995, the government of Bangladesh declared Sylhet as the sixth divisional headquarters. Meanwhile, the historic Shah Jalal Mosque is one of the most important sights in Sylhet. There is a university named after him in the city, too.
Geology
Sylhet trough, a sub-basin of Bengal Basin, is situated in northeastern Bangladesh. It is a natural basin that absorbs a great amount of rainwater. A number of sedimentary rocks, including sandstone, shale and limestone, are deposited in the area. The geology of Sylhet has been studied, with the help of petrographic and petrophysical analyses.
Surma Group rocks were deposited in a large delta system. These rocks consist of siltstone and sand-dominated thick channel deposits. They have a thickness of about 5000 m. All oil/gas production takes place in these rocks. This is because the structural elements of these rocks are suitable for commercial-sized gas-bearing structures.
During the Miocene epoch, the western encroachment of the Indo-Burman ranges resulted in an increase in subsidence. The strongest period of crustal disturbance occurred during the middle Miocene.
In the late Cretaceous, the Indian Plate collided with the Eurasian Plate. After this event, Gondwana was used as the name of the supercontinent. In the 1870s, Rupert Jones first theorized the existence of Gondwana.
The Sylhet Limestone Formation is located in Gwainghat, Sylhet, Bangladesh. It is characterized by the presence of shells and fossils.
Kopili shale is a possible source rock. The shale has a TOC value of 1%. Sandstone and claystone are other sedimentary rocks that are deposited in the region.
The Barail sandstone formation is also a potential reservoir rock. The sandstone is grey-white in color and is made up of medium to coarse grains. There is no evidence of the Barail sandstone formation in Bangladesh, but it has been studied in India.
In the northeastern region of Bangladesh, the Surma Basin has been tectonically active. It is part of the Indo-Burma Folded Belt. The region is characterized by an asymmetric anticline oriented north-south.
Economy
Sylhet has become a promising region for industrialization, especially gas-based industries. The region is blessed with abundant natural resources, low cost labor and access to raw materials. Its proximity to neighbouring Indian provinces and large markets of adjoining countries makes it the ideal place for the development of this sector.
Among other factors, the government should focus on developing a proper industrial environment. This includes introducing new industrialization sectors and accelerating the pace of industrialization.
In terms of infrastructure, the region has excellent transportation facilities and access to energy. However, it is lacking in the allocation of a skilled labor force and a proper investment environment.
The region has the potential to develop several sectors including tourism and agriculture. For example, the Asian Highway could improve trade ties with Myanmar and Bhutan. Additionally, the river port could be established at Kushiyara River, which links the region with Dhaka-Chittagong.
A new industry policy approved in August 2010 emphasizes the need for gas-based industrialization in the region. It also calls for the establishment of more industrial zones in Sylhet.
However, the study finds that the economy of Sylhet has been neglected by the government. It was industrially underprivileged until recently.
The study found that the lack of diversity in investments and the lack of proper industrial planning are key problems that the region faces. As a result, the region has a lot of unutilized resources.
Moreover, the region has inadequate allocation for health and education. Investing in these areas would boost the economic growth of the country.
The study also found that a number of studies have been conducted on the monetization of gas. But the process of monetizing the gas is still in its infancy.
Tribal and Adivasi population
Tribal and Adivasi populations account for approximately 1% of the overall population of Bangladesh. The majority of tribal groups live in the hilly regions of the country’s southeastern regions. A number of different ethnic groups are found in Bangladesh, including Austric, Meitei, Marma, Manipuri, Santal, and Tanchangya.
Despite their distinct culture and language, these groups have some similarities and some differences. In particular, they have distinct religions. Among these, Buddhism is the most common. However, they also practice other religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and the indigenous Ka Niam Khasi religion.
They are not only culturally and linguistically unique, but they also have distinct health care needs. For example, they are less familiar with modern healthcare. They also prefer traditional remedies. Those who seek treatment for illnesses like diabetes and asthma usually receive services from tribal healers. These are the main sources of treatment for many illnesses.
Health care providers in tribal areas have some challenges. For instance, their lack of medical training and a limited understanding of their own diseases make them the least likely to seek help. Many also experience irregularities in service provision. As a result, the level of awareness varies considerably across the different tribal regions.
The study surveyed nine different ethnic groups and explored treatment-seeking patterns within six different districts of Bangladesh. Results were based on a sample of 218 participants, including 71 females and 19 males. Although the study is a small, it provides a great deal of insight into the health-related behaviors of tribal people.
The study is an important step towards improving tribal-healthcare-related policies and practices. The authors thank the Government of Bangladesh and the Department of International Development for supporting the study.
Tourist attractions
The Sylhet Division of Bangladesh is home to some of the country’s most impressive natural sites. Tourists visit the region to experience the beauty of nature. Its beautiful mountains, rocky streams, and rivers create an idyllic setting for visitors.
The district is also known for its tea gardens. Some of the most popular tea gardens in the country are located in the region. In addition to its stunning scenery, Sylhet is also home to several shrines. These include the tomb of 14th century saint Hazrat Shah Jalal.
A large open-air hilltop mosque, the Shahi Eidgh, is also located in Sylhet. This mosque is a major pilgrimage site, and was built by Emperor Aurangzeb.
There are several other tourist attractions in the region. One of the most popular is the Tanguar Haor. This wetland is considered to be a national treasure.
Another natural attraction in the region is Hakaluki Haor. This river flows through the city of Sylhet, and is considered to be one of the most beautiful in the country.
Visitors to the area can take a boat ride to the Zero Point, where three rivers meet. While navigating the water, tourists can see flags of India lining the shores.
The area is also home to the country’s largest stone quarry. However, the tourism industry has been affected by the flooding that struck the region in May, and hoteliers are laying off workers to avoid losses.
As a result, the government is trying to preserve the region’s resources. Sylhet is home to several museums. These include the Museum of Rajas, which contains the belongings of local folk poet Hasan Raja.
Another place in Sylhet to visit is the Malnicherra Tea Estate. This is a 1500-acre estate located just 2 km from the city center.