Sylhet history

Sylhet is one of the most ancient cities in Bangladesh, with a history that represents a unique tapestry of Hindu traditions, Sufi mysticism, and colonial heritage. Its formation and development were defined by both its advantageous geographical location and key historical events.

Foundation and First Mentions

The first settlements in the territory of modern Sylhet existed within the framework of ancient kingdoms, such as Kamarupa. It is believed that the name itself comes from the Sanskrit word "Srihatta", which means "rich market" or "prosperous city." A turning point in the city's history was the year 1303. In this year, the Sufi preacher Hazrat Shah Jalal, together with his followers, conquered this territory, marking the beginning of the spread of Islam in the region and integrating it into the Bengal Sultanate.

Key Factors of Formation

The growth and prosperity of Sylhet were driven by several important factors:

• Geographical Location: The city is located in the fertile Surma River valley, which historically promoted the development of agriculture and provided its inhabitants with resources.
• Trade Routes: The Surma River was a vital transport artery connecting the region with the Bay of Bengal and other commercial hubs, making Sylhet a bustling crossroads of trade routes.
• Spiritual Significance: Following the arrival of Hazrat Shah Jalal, the city transformed into a major centre of Sufism and Islamic scholarship in Bengal, attracting pilgrims and followers from across South Asia.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the very beginning, Sylhet combined the traits of a spiritual centre and a lively commercial city.

• Centre of Sufism: The cultural life of the city was inextricably linked with the legacy of Hazrat Shah Jalal. His shrine remains the principal pilgrimage site to this day.
• Thriving Trade: Confirming its ancient name "Srihatta," the city was famous as a market for trading rice, cotton, spices, and handicrafts.
• Agrarian Development: The favourable climate and fertile lands facilitated the cultivation of rice and other crops, and in the later colonial period, the region became one of the world's centres for tea production.

Key Milestones in the History of Sylhet

The history of Sylhet is a kaleidoscope of events reflecting a shift of eras, cultures, and rulers. From an ancient trade centre to a significant city in independent Bangladesh, here are the main moments of its centuries-old chronicle.

• 1303: The Sufi preacher Hazrat Shah Jalal conquers Sylhet, which becomes a turning point in the spread of Islam in the region.
• 1345: The famous Arab traveller Ibn Battuta visits Sylhet to meet with Shah Jalal and describes the city in his travelogues.
• 1765: The region comes under the control of the British East India Company, marking the beginning of the colonial era.
• 1854: The first tea plantations are established in the vicinity of Sylhet, forever changing the region's economy.
• 1867: Sylhet receives the status of a municipality within British India, strengthening its administrative role.
• 1897: A powerful earthquake causes serious damage to the city and its surroundings, leading to significant destruction.
• 1947: Following the Sylhet Referendum, the region joins East Pakistan after the partition of British India.
• 1971: The city and its residents play an active role in the Bangladesh Liberation War, which concludes with the creation of a new sovereign state.
• 1995: The first public university opens in Sylhet — the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.
• 2001: The municipality is upgraded to a City Corporation, giving new impetus to the development of urban infrastructure.

Key Stages of City Development

The development of Sylhet was defined by a series of landmark events that shaped its economic, cultural, and urban character. From a spiritual centre to a modern metropolis, here are the main milestones of its transformation.

• Establishment as a Spiritual Centre (1303): The arrival of the Sufi preacher Hazrat Shah Jalal laid the cultural and religious foundation of the city. Sylhet turned into a major centre of Islamic scholarship and pilgrimage, which defined its identity for centuries.
• Dawn of the Tea Era (1854): The establishment of the first tea plantations by the British became a turning point in the economy. This transformed the agrarian landscape and made the region one of the key suppliers of tea to the global market.
• Formation of Urban Structure (1867): Granting the status of a municipality during the British India period initiated modern urban planning and the development of administrative infrastructure.
• Sylhet Referendum (1947): The decision to join East Pakistan after the partition of India became a key political event that defined the city's further geopolitical and cultural trajectory.
• Integration into Independent Bangladesh (1971): Participation in the War of Independence and becoming part of the new state of Bangladesh opened a new chapter in Sylhet's history, strengthening its national identity.
• Development of Educational Potential (1986–1991): The founding of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology established Sylhet as an important educational hub, promoting the development of science and attracting qualified personnel.
• Infrastructure Modernization (2001): Transformation into a City Corporation gave a powerful boost to the development and modernization of the transport system, utility networks, and public spaces, responding to the challenges of a growing city.
• Role of Diaspora in the Economy (20th-21st Centuries): Remittances from the numerous Sylheti diaspora, especially from the United Kingdom, became a unique factor of economic growth, stimulating private construction, business, and social projects.

The architectural appearance of Sylhet represents a multi-layered canvas bearing the imprints of the Bengal Sultanate era, British colonial rule, and modern development. The city lacks strict examples of European Gothic or Renaissance styles; however, its urban history is rich in unique local and hybrid styles.

Pre-Colonial and Sultanate Period

The foundation of Sylhet's early architecture was religious structures built in the traditions of the Indo-Islamic style. This style is characterized by the use of brickwork, massive domes, arches, and decorative carving. The brightest example is the shrine complex of Hazrat Shah Jalal — the spiritual heart of the city. Although the complex has been rebuilt many times, it retains key features of Mughal and Sultanate architecture, serving as a centre of attraction for pilgrims and a vital urban core.

British Colonial Period (18th–20th Centuries)

With the arrival of the British in the 18th century, a noticeable European influence appeared in Sylhet's architecture. This period gifted the city with iconic engineering and administrative structures:

• Indo-Saracenic Style: Some buildings of that time combined European neoclassical and Victorian elements with traditional Indian and Mughal motifs. This was manifested in the form of arches, turrets, and decorative details.
• Iconic Structures: The hallmark of the era became the Keane Bridge across the Surma River, built in 1936. Its steel trusses are a characteristic example of British engineering architecture of that time. The city also preserves colonial administration buildings and the historic Ali Amjad's Clock, which has become an important city landmark.
• Tea Plantation Architecture: A unique type of development formed around the city — the bungalows of tea garden managers. These one- or two-story houses with spacious verandas and pitched roofs are a vivid example of adapting the colonial style to the local climate.

Modern Architecture (Mid-20th Century to Present)

After Bangladesh gained independence, Sylhet's architecture entered a new phase. It is distinguished by functionality and diversity, reflecting the city's rapid growth:

• Modernism: In the 20th century, buildings in the modernist style began to appear in the city, characterized by simple geometric forms and the use of reinforced concrete. Examples include the buildings of the Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and other public edifices.
• "Diaspora Architecture": A unique phenomenon for Sylhet has been the construction of private homes and commercial buildings funded by the numerous diaspora in the UK and other countries. These structures often feature an eclectic style, blending elements of Western and Eastern architecture, and form the modern, albeit heterogeneous, look of residential areas.

Notable Personalities of Sylhet

Sylhet is the birthplace of many prominent figures who have made significant contributions to the spiritual, political, and cultural life of Bangladesh and all of South Asia. From medieval saints to modern politicians and artists, their legacy continues to shape the city's identity.

Spiritual and Historical Figures

• Hazrat Shah Jalal (approx. 1271–1346) — A Sufi saint and preacher. He is considered a key figure in the history of Sylhet, having conquered the region in 1303 and spread Islam there. His mausoleum (Dargah) in Sylhet is one of the main pilgrimage centres in Bangladesh, and he is revered as the spiritual patron of the city.
• Hason Raja (1854–1922) — A mystical poet-songwriter and philosopher. Coming from a family of wealthy landowners, he renounced a life of luxury and dedicated himself to creating mystical songs and poems in the "Baul" genre. His work, permeated with ideas of humanism and the search for the divine, has had a tremendous influence on Bengali literature and music.

Political and Military Figures

• Muhammad Ataul Gani Osmani (1918–1984) — A military commander and Commander-in-Chief of the Bangladesh Armed Forces (Mukti Bahini) during the War of Independence in 1971. Born in Sylhet, he played a decisive role in achieving victory and the establishment of an independent state. The international airport in Sylhet is named in his honour.
• Saifur Rahman (1932–2009) — A renowned economist and politician who served as the Minister of Finance of Bangladesh multiple times. He is considered one of the architects of market reforms in the country and the initiator of many development projects in Sylhet and across Bangladesh.
• Abul Maal Abdul Muhith (1934–2022) — A prominent statesman, economist, and diplomat. He also served as the Minister of Finance and made a significant contribution to the economic development of Bangladesh in the 21st century, overseeing important infrastructure and social programmes.
• Humayun Rashid Choudhury (1928–2001) — A career diplomat and politician. He was elected President of the 41st session of the UN General Assembly in 1986 and served as the Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh. His diplomatic career helped strengthen Bangladesh's position on the world stage.

Cultural Figures

• Runa Laila (born 1952) — A world-renowned singer born in Sylhet. She began her career in the 1960s and became one of the most popular and influential performers in South Asia, singing in Bengali, Urdu, Hindi, and other languages.