Sylhet is a traditional habitat enriched with natural resources. The lush
green and high-rise mountains have made it vibrant, lively and radiant places.
The role of the habitants of the division and during the great war of liberation is
well known to all.
Boundary: It is flanked by Assam state of India in the north. Chittagong and Dhaka Division in the south, Assam again in the last and Dhaka division in the West.
Area: It has an area of around 12,717 square Kilometers.
Population: The population of the division is nearly 70,72,000
Among the several places of historical interest in Sylhet town is the shrine of Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal. Even today, more than six hundred years after his death, the shrine is visited by innumerable devotees of every caste and creed, who make the journey from far away places. Legend says, the great Saint who came from Yeman to preach Islam and defeated the then Hindu Raja (King) Gour Gobinda, transformed the witchcraft followers of the Raja into catfishes which are still alive in the tank adjacent to the shrine. Swords, the holy Quran, and the robes of the holy Saint are still preserved in the shrine.
HOME OF TEA GARDENS
Nestled in the picturesque Surma Valley amidst scenic tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, greater Sylhet is a primeattraction for all tourists visiting Bangladesh. Lying between the Khasia and the Jaintia hills on the north, and the Tripura hills on the south, Sylhet breaks the monotony of the flatness of this land by a multitude of terraced tea gardens rolling countryside and the exotic flora and fauna. Here the thick tropical forests abound with many species of wild life, scented orange groves and luxuriant pineapple plantations spread their aroma around the typical hearth and homes of the Manipuri Tribal maidens famous for their dance.
The Sylhet valley is formed by a beautiful, winding pair of rivers named the Surma and the Kushiara both of which are fed by innumerable hill streams from the north and the south. The valley has good number of hoars which are big natural depressions. During winter these haors are vast stretches of green land, but in the rainy season they turn into a turbulent sea. These hoars provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly from across the Himalayas to avoid the severe cold of Siberia.
Sylhet has also a very interesting and rich history. Before the conquest by the Muslims, it was ruled by local chieftains. In 1303, the great Saint Hazrat Shah Jalal came to Sylhet from Delhi with a band of 360 disciples to preach Islam and defeated the then Raja Gour Gobinda. Sylhet thus became a district of saints, shrines and daring but virile people.
Its rich potentialities became easily attractive and the 18th century Englishmen made their fortune in tea plantation. About 80 km. from Sylhet town connected by road and rail, Srimangal, which is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh, is the actual tea centre of the area. For miles and miles around, the visitor can see the tea gardens spread like a green carpet over the plain land or on the sloping hills. A visit to the tea plantation in Sylhet is a memorable experience. Sylhet, the tea granary of Bangladesh, not only has over 150 tea gardens but also proudly possesses the three largest tea gardens in the world both in area and production.
Sylhet Stadium
Sylhet Stadium is the only Stadium for all Sports activity. Another new Stadium is about to build by the new Surma bridge, Unfortunately some people, who has connection to the upper level discouraging the allocated area and trying to grab the land for their sake. This new Stadium is very necessary for the economic and sports development for our Sylheti people.So We hope the new Sylhet Stadium should be completed as soon as possible.
Greater Sylhet Consists of the districts of Sylhet, Sunarnganj Habiganj and Moulvibazar. Shahjalal University of Science & Technology
After a long desire the Shahjalal University of Science & Technology was initiated in 1987. It started its career on 14th February 1991 with three departments : Physics, Chemistry and Economics. 13 teachers and 205 students. At the end of 1996. It has expanded to three faculties : School of Physical Sciences, School of Applied Sciences & Technology and School of Social Sciences. Now there are 13 departments under these three faculties and another two more subjects under two new different school are under process to open from the next session. The number of teachers has grown to 216 and the students to 2509
Surma Bridge
Surma Bridge
Sylhet Court Area
Shahi Eidgah
Three kilometers to the north-east of the circuit house, the Shahi Eidgah was built on a hill by the Mughal Emperor Auran- gazeb in the 17th century. It looks like a grand fort but is actually meant for Eid congregation - the two biggest Muslim festivals.
Old Surma Bridge, Sylhet
Sylhet Railway Station
Visitors at Rajbari, Jaintia, Sylhet
Gour Gobinda Fort
The MurariChand Government College is situated in a beautiful surrounding on a hilltop. To the north-west of the college lie the remains of King Gour Gobinda's Fort.
Jaintiapur
Situated 43 km. to the north of Sylhet town, on the Sylhet - Shillorg road, Jaintiapur was the capital of an ancient kingdom which included the Khasia and Jaintia Hills and plains of Jaintia. Interesting ruins of this forgotten period lie scattered throughout Jaintiapur. A drive to Jaintiapur is an interesting and worthwhile experience.
Haripur Gas Field and other spots
Twenty two kilometers from Sylhet town is the Haripur Gas Field and at 35 km. point is the Jaintiapur's Rajbari.
Only 5 km. from Jaintiapur is Jaflong, a scenic spot amidst tea gardens. At about 35 km. north-west of Sylhet town, linked by rail road and river is Chhatak, the seat of Assam Bengal Cement Factory. Chhatak is famous for orange gardens.
Madhabkunda
About 3 km. from Dakhinbagh Railway Station, there is the famous waterfall of Madhabkunda, which attracts large number of tourists every year.
Tamabil-Jaflong:
Situated amidst splendid panorama, Tamabil is a border out post on sylhet - Shilong Road about 55 km away from Sylhet town. Besides enchanting views of the area, one can also have a glimpse of the waterfalls across the border from Tamabil. Jaflong is also a scenic spot nearby amidst tea gardens and rare beauty of rolling stones from hills.
Manipuri Dance
An interesting feature of Sylhet region is the aboriginal tribes such as the Tipperas, the Monipuris, Khasis and Garos who still live in their primitive ways in the hills, practising their age-old rites, rituals, customs and traditions. During festivals such as, Rash Le, ela Full-moon night in February and Doljatra, the attractive young girls dressed in colorful robes, dance with the gmale members of their choice & love. The Monipuris perform their famous dance, based on allegorical love themes of the ancient mythology.
HandicraftsSylhet is well-known for its wide variety of exquisite handicrafts. Well-known sylhet cane products such as chair, table, tea trays, flower vases, bags and the exquisitely designed fine Sital Pati (a kind a mattress having natural cooling effect) are colourful souvenirs. For accommodation at Sylhet town, some reasonably good hotels are available. Rest house accommodation at Srimangal and other places are also available for tourists.
Parjatan Facilities:
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation operates a first class motel (Phone: 2426) and restaurant located in the Picturesque surroundings near the Sylhet airport besides the Duty Free shop at the airport (Phone: 3206) and transport service.
