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Sylhet Division

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The Sylhet Division is a major administrative region in northeastern Bangladesh.

Sylhet in Bangladesh
Sylhet in Bangladesh

It covers a vast area of approximately 9,225 square kilometers. The division shares international borders with three Indian states. To the north lies Meghalaya. To the east is Assam. To the south is Tripura. Domestically, it borders the Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions to the west. It also touches the Chattogram division to the southwest. The region is known for its unique landscapes and spiritual importance.

Sylhet Division districts map
Sylhet Division districts map

The geography of Sylhet is quite complex and diverse. Most of the region consists of a vast, low-lying floodplain. This plain contains many saucer-shaped depressions called haors. These haors are large, wetland ecosystems. Some of the most famous ones include Hakaluki, Kawadighi, Tanguar, and Hail.

Nature of hakaluki haor
Nature of hakaluki haor

The largest is Hakaluki Haor. The landscape is also defined by hillocks known locally as tillas. In the south, eight distinct hill ranges enter the plains. These include the Raghunandan and the Hararganj-Singla ranges. The highest peak in the entire division is Kala pahar.

Kala pahar
Kala pahar

Geological history has shaped the physical features of this land. Scientists believe the area was once under the ocean. This is suggested by limestone deposits found in different parts of the division. Tectonic subsidence, or the sinking of the earth's crust, likely created the beels. These are large depressions that function like oxbow lakes. The region is also located in an earthquake-prone zone. In the last 150 years, three major earthquakes have hit the city. These had a magnitude of at least 7.5 on the Richter Scale. The most recent of these occurred in 1918.

The history of Sylhet involves many shifts in political control. In 1874, the area was part of the Assam Province. It was separated from mainland Bengal to help Assam's commercial development. Later, in 1905, it rejoined Bengal as part of the Surma Valley Division. In 1912, it was moved back to the Assam Province. A major change occurred during the Partition of India in 1947. A plebiscite, which is a direct vote by the people, was held. The people chose between staying with India or joining East Pakistan. Sylhet joined Pakistan by a very narrow margin. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, it became part of the new nation.

AssamProvince1936 Map
AssamProvince1936 Map

Sylhet is a vital center for the tea industry in Bangladesh. The Surma Valley is famous for its many tea gardens. There are over 150 tea gardens in this region. This includes three of the largest tea plantations in the world. Srimangal is recognized as the tea capital of the country.

Tea Garden in Malini chora Sylhet Bangladesh (3)
Tea Garden in Malini chora Sylhet Bangladesh (3)

The Malnicherra Tea Estate is particularly notable. It was established in 1854 and is the oldest in South Asia. Nearly 300,000 people work on these tea estates. More than 75% of these workers are women. They are often hired because they are skilled at plucking tea leaves.

The division is also a significant spiritual and cultural hub. It is often called the spiritual capital of Bangladesh. This is because it is the resting place of the Sufi saint Shah Jalal. He spread Islam throughout the region along with his disciples. The Sylhet Shahi Eidgah is another important site. It was built by Farhad Khan during the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Today, the region attracts many tourists to its natural landmarks. Visitors go to see the Madhabkunda waterfall and the Ratargul Swamp Forest. They also visit national parks like Lawachara and Satchari.

Sylheti Nagari Alphabet Monument
Sylheti Nagari Alphabet Monument

Sylhet maintains strong international connections, especially with the United Kingdom. A "friendship link" exists between Sylhet and the city of St Albans. This was established in 1988 to support a housing project. This link exists because many people in St Albans have roots in Sylhet. In fact, about 95% of ethnic British Bangladeshis originate from this region. This connection extends to other UK cities like London, Oldham, and Rochdale. Within Bangladesh, the division is organized into four districts. These are Habiganj, Moulvibazar, Sunamganj, and Sylhet. The division is managed by a Divisional Commissioner.

Sylhet Osmani Airport
Sylhet Osmani Airport
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🖼️ Images & Media (13)
File:Sylhet in Bangladesh.svg
Sylhet in Bangladesh.svg
File:Sylhet Division districts map.png
Sylhet Division districts map.png
File:1740 Seutter Map of India, Pakistan, Tibet and Afghanistan - Geographicus - IndiaMogolis-seutter-1740.jpg
1740 Seutter Map of India, Pakistan,...
File:AssamProvince1936 Map.png
AssamProvince1936 Map.png
File:Tea Garden in Malini chora Sylhet Bangladesh (3).JPG
Tea Garden in Malini chora Sylhet...
File:Sylhet Osmani Airport.jpg
Sylhet Osmani Airport.jpg
File:Sylhet Railway.jpg
Sylhet Railway.jpg
File:Kala pahar.jpg
Kala pahar.jpg
File:Nature of hakaluki haor.jpg
Nature of hakaluki haor.jpg
File:Sylheti Nagari Alphabet Monument.jpg
Sylheti Nagari Alphabet Monument.jpg
File:সিলেট আন্তর্জাতিক ক্রিকেট স্টেডিয়াম.jpg
সিলেট আন্তর্জাতিক ক্রিকেট স্টেডিয়াম.jpg
File:Boys at Primary School - Srimangal - Sylhet Division - Bangladesh (12906116925).jpg
Boys at Primary School - Srimangal -...

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