Visit Bangladesh
Sylhet
The Home of Saints and Tea Gardens
Nestled in the picturesque Surma Valley amidst scenic tea
plantations and lush green tropical forests, Sylhet is a prime
attraction 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.
Women carrying freshly plucked tea leaves through the valley
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
a good number of haors 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 haors
provide a sanctuary to the millions of migratory birds who fly
from across the Himalayas to escape the severe Siberian winters.
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
three largest tea gardens in the world both in area and production.
The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal
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 Delhi to preach Islam and defeated the then Hindu Raja
(King) Gour Gobinda, transformed the watchcraft 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.
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Shahi Eidgah
Three kilometers to the north-east of the circuit house, the
Shahi Eidgah was built on a hill by the Mughal Emperor
Aurangazeb in the 17th century. It looks like a grand fort but is actually
meant for Eid congregation-the two biggest Muslim festivals.
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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.
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Jaintiapur
Situated 43 km. to the north of Sylhet town, on the
Sylhet - Shillong road, Jaintiapur was the capital of an ancient
kingdom which included the Khasi 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.
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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.
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Madhabkunde
About 3 km. from Dakhinbagh Railway Station there is the
famous waterfall of Madhabkunda which attracts large number
of tourists every year.
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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 LeeIa (Full-moon night in February) and Doljatra, the attractive
young girls dressed in colourful robes, dance with the male
members of their choice & love.
The Monipuris perform their
famous dance, based on allegorical love themes of the ancient
mythology.
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Handicrafts
Sylhet 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 of mattress having natural cooling effect) are
colourful souvenirs.
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Guided Tours & Accommodation
Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation-National Tourism Organization
arranges guided package tours for groups of 10 and above
from Dhaka to Sylhet.
For details please contact: Manager (Tours), Bangladesh Parjatan Corporation,
233 Airport Road, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1 215, Phone 325155-59. Telex 642206 TOUR BJ.
For accommodation at Sylhet town, some reasonably good
hotels are available. Rest house accommodation at Srimangal
and other places are also available for tourists.
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Photographs by:
Naela M. Bashar,
Anita J. Brady and BPC.
Index of Bangladesh Pages
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