Trotting Through Sylhet

A Great Civilization, a Great Culture

The legion tales of Sylhet and Sylhetis are a grand testimony of the great Sylheti civilization. Nestled in the scenic Surma Valley, amidst plush tea plantations and lush green tropical forests, Sylhet is the most affluent region in Bangladesh today. Yesteryears this region bound between the Khasia and Jaintia hills on the north, and the Tripura hills on the south breaks was home to the most affluent and royal class of Bengalis in the erstwhile greater Bengal. The rich culture, traditions and tales that remain embedded inside the hearts of millions of Sylhetis today speaks volumes of what was a great civilization. No wonder Sylhetis today occupy far-flung corners of the world enriching others with their vibrant culture. For an inquisitive Sylheti like me the best service was perhaps to showcase the land of Sylhet itself – in all its refulgent best.

Sylhet City

The Sylhet circus is located at the heart of the sylhet town. The circus is an old reminder of the hectic business activities that had once propelled sylhet to its current glory. Natives of sylhet today narrate how the circus was once a regular hangout for the colonial britishers.

Sylhet today has several ultra modern malls and shopping centers largely driven by the huge investment from non-resident Sylhetis. This is the Bluewater Shopping City that provides a luxurious shopping experince for the Sylhetis.

Sylhet today has very good roads, thanks to the initiative of the district government. Here is the Sylhet-Dhaka expressway.

Adventure Park in Sylhet is a favourite hangout place for most family members.

The Sylhet-Dhaka Express: Defining alternate travel for the common man.

Boat on the River Surma: An unforgetable evening for the enchanted being.

A shop selling Sylheti handicraft products. Note the variety of artwork that are created by Sylheti artisans.

The Sylhet Railway Station: A sleek international look and feel

The Highway in Sylhet: A perfect track for the traveller

The crowded "Cow Bazaar" in the heart of the Sylhet town. People from far and wide flock here to buy and sell their cows. The breeds available here range from the local to the imported Jersey cow.

HAOR

The Haors of sylhet are vast stretches of land that are submerged under water during the rainy season. During the dry season these stretches remain mostly dry. Occassionally, the haors may not become completely dry but have water in small pond-shaped structures while the dry areas may be used for cultivating other crops. Each year the monsoon fills these depressions with water forming an immense inland fresh-water seaand the Haors villages, which are built on natural levees or artificial earth-mouns, become tiny dots in a world of water. For six months, boat is the sole link between the villagers and the outside world.

The word haor is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word "Sagar". Haors are a big source of freshwater fish. haors may stretch upto 15 to 30 kilometers from one end to the other although the haors may be interconnected through tributaries. The villages in haors are, usually, perched in highlands and they do not get submerged.

The most prominent haors in Sylhet are Saneer haor, Hail haor, Hakaluki haor, Dekar haor, Maker haor, Chayer haor, tanguar haor, and Kawadighi haor.

Haors also serve as sanctuaries for both permanent and migratory birds. With the recession of floodwater, a large variety of small fishes, oysters, water snails and bivalves, and pasture spread over the surface attracting a large number of migratory birds.

Srimongol: Source for the Best Tea

They say that a visit to Bangladesh is incomplete without a royal cup of Srimongol tea. Not surprising Srimongol tea is the best in Bangladesh. For philosophers like me the tea could perhaps be flavoured the most in the refulgent environs of Srimongol.
The Rain forests in Srimongol is an ethereal experience.

As you go on a long walk in a tea garden in the misty mornings, the breadth of fresh air fills your heart with the "freshness" that is likely to stick to your soul for the years to come. A nostalgic place.

Tourists from across the world visit sylhet and Srimongol is definately is on their list of must-see.

The Railway track to Srimongol is covered by a dense canopy with the sunlight veering through the branches.

Some Trendy Places adjoining Sylhet

Fishing in a pond: Fishermen use huge nets to pull out fish from ponds. There is a saying that Sylhet has the best freshwater fishermen in the whole world -- they can fish out even the smallest of insects in the pond.

Water falls in Madhobkundo

Madhab Kundo village: Exquisite natural beauty.

Dreamland amusement park

The Style Statement

A modern house in Sylhet: Sylhetis employ the best architects to design their homes now.

This is the Road to Hason Raja's residence.

A typical zamindari bunglow in Sylhet. The bunglows are cool and airy surmises that has vast stretches of land on its all sides. These bunglows were common sights for Zamindars who nestled here about five decades back.

Every village in Sylhet today has a decent road. This has developed the villages to a great extent enabling smoother movement of people from the hinterlands to the towns.

A stroll by the Surma river is refreshing for most sylhetis. As the evening sets in the river changes its hue and attitude. A leisure sail on a country-made boat or the modern streamer is what all sylhetis love.

Sylhetis are one class of people who love fresh vegetables. Any sylheti course is incomplete without a leafy item. Everyday fresh vegetables like these make way to the local market. These produce are mostly without harmful fertilizers. Sylhet is a fertile land.