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==Culture==
==Culture==
{{see|Culture of Bangladesh}}
{{see|Culture of Bangladesh}}
Given its unique cultural and economic development, and [[Sylheti language|linguistic differences]] (Greater Sylhet region was a part of [[Assam]] and Surma Valley State for much of the [[British Raj]] in comparison to the rest of [[Bangladesh]]), and given that Sylhet has, for most of its recent history, been a region of a larger entity.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/20/race.bookscomment Not all Bangladeshis oppose the filming of Brick Lane] The Guardian (by Iqbal Ahmed) 20 July, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/29/topstories3.books 'You sanctimonious philistine' - Rushdie v Greer, the sequel] The Guardian (by Paul Lewis) 29 July 2006</ref> As so many Sylhetis are resident abroad, Sylhet has a major flow of foreign currency from non-resident Bangladeshis.
Given its unique cultural and economic development, and [[Sylheti language|linguistic differences]] (Greater Sylhet region was a part of [[Assam]] and Surma Valley State for much of the [[British Raj]] in comparison to the rest of [[Bangladesh]]), and given that Sylhet has, for most of its recent history, been a region of a larger entity.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/20/race.bookscomment Not all Bangladeshis oppose the filming of Brick Lane] The Guardian (by Iqbal Ahmed) 20 July, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/29/topstories3.books 'You sanctimonious philistine' - Rushdie v Greer, the sequel] The Guardian (by Paul Lewis) 29 July 2006</ref> As so many Sylhetis are resident abroad, Sylhet has a major flow of foreign currency from non-resident Bangladeshis. There are large [[shopping mall]]s [[List_of_shopping_malls_in_Bangladesh|in the city]], these include the Al Hamra Shopping Centre, Bluewater, Sylhet Millenium, Sylhet Plaza, Shukria Market and many others, mainly located in Zindabazar.<ref>[http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/bangladesh/sylhet/shopping Sylhet Shopping] World66. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.</ref> These malls sell many items in particular from a wide range of [[saree]]s. Majority of these shoppers are from the middle-class and visiting expatriates. The major holidays celebrated in Sylhet include traditional and religious celebrations, these include ''[[Eid-ul-Fitr]]'' after ''[[Ramadan]]'' and [[Eid-ul-Fitr]].<ref>[http://www.newagebd.com/2006/oct/22/met.html Security beefed up in Sylhet for Eid] New Age Metro. 22 October 2006. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.</ref> Cultural or nationalistic celebrations include the [[Language Movement Day]], this is where wreaths are laid at the Shaheed Minar paying tribute to the martyrs, the [[Bangladeshi Independence Day]] and [[Victory Day (Bangladesh)|Victory Day]] celebrated with parades by school and academies.


[[File:Shaheed Minar Srimongol.jpg|thumb|200px|[[Shaheed Minar]] replica at Srimongol]]
Sylheti attachment to their regional identity also continues in the efforts of many Sylhetis to keep marital relationships within the same regional cultural background.<ref>[http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2006-09-10&hidType=HIG&hidRecord=0000000000000000126877 Bangladesh Web.com]</ref> Sylheti people are considered as a distinct [[ethnic group]] in Bangladesh;<ref name=BLondon>{{citeweb |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/27/bangladeshi_london_feature.shtml |title=BBC London: Faith - Bangladeshi London |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2005-05-27}}</ref> this is mainly because of language differences between the standard [[Bangla]] [[Languages of Bangladesh|language]], and the [[Sylheti]] [[Bengali dialects|dialect]], and they are fiercely protective of their language. There are also many cultural and custom differences between Bengalis and Sylhetis.<ref name=feedback>{{citeweb |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/sep/11/fb.html |title=Feedback : Controversy over Monica Ali’s Brick Lane |work=New Age |accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> Many Sylhetis only [[Marriage|marry]] within the Sylheti-speaking community, and not people from other [[Divisions of Bangladesh|regions of Bangladesh]]. They are also more [[domesticated]], have a family-orientated [[community]] type of culture, and are more [[conservative]] [[Muslim]]s.<ref name=guard>{{citeweb |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/20/race.bookscomment |title=World News - ''...The majority of British Bangladeshis...'' |work=The Guardian |accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> These stereotypes have led to some rivalry between non-Sylhetis and Sylhetis, du eto differences of cultural customs.<ref name=bachelor>{{citeweb |url=http://is.muni.cz/th/152763/pedf_b/bachelor_thesis.doc |title=Postcolonial issues in Monica Ali’s Brick Lane - ''Bachelor Thesis'' |publisher=MASARYK UNIVERSITY BRNO |author=Pavla Navrátilová |date=7 August, 2007 |accessdate=2008-11-29}}</ref>
Sylheti attachment to their regional identity also continues in the efforts of many Sylhetis to keep marital relationships within the same regional cultural background.<ref>[http://bangladesh-web.com/view.php?hidDate=2006-09-10&hidType=HIG&hidRecord=0000000000000000126877 Bangladesh Web.com]</ref> Sylheti people are considered as a distinct [[ethnic group]] in Bangladesh;<ref name=BLondon>{{citeweb |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/articles/2005/05/27/bangladeshi_london_feature.shtml |title=BBC London: Faith - Bangladeshi London |publisher=BBC |accessdate=2005-05-27}}</ref> this is mainly because of language differences between the standard [[Bangla]] [[Languages of Bangladesh|language]], and the [[Sylheti]] [[Bengali dialects|dialect]], and they are fiercely protective of their language. There are also many cultural and custom differences between Bengalis and Sylhetis.<ref name=feedback>{{citeweb |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2006/sep/11/fb.html |title=Feedback : Controversy over Monica Ali’s Brick Lane |work=New Age |accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> Many Sylhetis only [[Marriage|marry]] within the Sylheti-speaking community, and not people from other [[Divisions of Bangladesh|regions of Bangladesh]]. They are also more [[domesticated]], have a family-orientated [[community]] type of culture, and are more [[conservative]] [[Muslim]]s.<ref name=guard>{{citeweb |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2006/jul/20/race.bookscomment |title=World News - ''...The majority of British Bangladeshis...'' |work=The Guardian |accessdate=2008-07-26}}</ref> These stereotypes have led to some rivalry between non-Sylhetis and Sylhetis, du eto differences of cultural customs.<ref name=bachelor>{{citeweb |url=http://is.muni.cz/th/152763/pedf_b/bachelor_thesis.doc |title=Postcolonial issues in Monica Ali’s Brick Lane - ''Bachelor Thesis'' |publisher=MASARYK UNIVERSITY BRNO |author=Pavla Navrátilová |date=7 August, 2007 |accessdate=2008-11-29}}</ref>


Revision as of 12:10, 25 May 2009

This article is about the city of Sylhet. For other meanings see Sylhet (disambiguation).
Sylhet
সিলেট
Metropolitan City
Sylhet City Corporation
The Kean Bridge and Ali Amjad's Clock Tower, Sylhet
The Kean Bridge and Ali Amjad's Clock Tower, Sylhet
Official logo of Sylhet
Seal of the Sylhet City Corporation
Location of Sylhet from the capital within Bangladesh
Location of Sylhet from the capital within Bangladesh
DivisionSylhet Division
DistrictSylhet District
Metropolitan city status31 March 2009[1]
Sylhet City Corporation9 April 2001
Municipal Board1867
Government
 • MayorBadar Uddin Ahmed Kamran (Awami League)
Population
 (2007)[2]
 • Total445,798
 • Density5,488/km2 (14,210/sq mi)
Demographics
 • LanguagesSylheti, Bengali
 • Literacy rate64%
Time zoneUTC+6 (BST)
Post code
3100-3199
Websitewww.sylhetcitycorporation.org.bd

Sylhet (Sylheti: সিলট Silôţ, Bengali: সিলেট Sileţ), is a major city in north-eastern Bangladesh. It is the capital of Sylhet Division and Sylhet District, and as of 31 March 2009 has metropolitan city status.[1] Sylhet is located on the banks of the Surma River and is surrounded by the Jaintia, Khasi and Tripura hills. The city has a high density population, with nearly 500,000 people. The city is well known for its tea gardens tropical forests, and its business boom—being one of the richest cities in Bangladesh, with new investments of hotels, shopping malls and luxury housing estates, brought mainly by expatriates living in the United Kingdom.[3][4] The city is described as a City of Saints, the mausoleum of the great saint Hazrat Shah Jalal, who brought Islam to Bengal during the 14th century, is located here.[5]

History

Historians believe that Sylhet, was an expanded commercial center from the ancient period, which explains its original namesake. During this time, Sylhet was probably inhabited by Indo-Aryan Brahmins, though ethnically the population would also have traces of Assamese. It has also been suggested that Ancient Kingdom of Harikela was situated in modern Sylhet.[6][7]

In the ancient and early medieval period, Sylhet was ruled primarily by local chieftains as viceroy of the kings of Pragjyotishpur.[8] There is evidence to suggest that the Maharaja Sri Chandra, of northern Bengal, conquered Bengal in the 10th century, although this is a much disputed topic amongst Bangladeshi historians and archaeologists. This was a period of relative prosperity and there is little evidence to suggest this was marred by wars or feuds. Sylhet was certainly known by the rest of India, and is even referred to in the ancient Hindu sacred Tantric text, the Shakti Sangama Tantra, as 'Silhatta'. The last chieftain to reign in Sylhet was Govinda of Gaur.[9]

File:Dargah Gate, Shah Jalal (R) Majar Sharif.jpg
The gate of Shah Jalal Dargah

The 14th century marked the beginning of Islamic influence in Sylhet.[10] A messianic Muslim saint, Hazrat Shah Jalal, arrived in Sylhet in 1303 from Mecca via Delhi and Dhaka with the instructions for aiding Sikhander Khan Ghazi in defeating Govinda of Gaur.[11] Sikhander Khan Ghazi was the direct nephew of sultan Firoz Shah of Delhi. Under the spiritual leadership of Hazrat Shah Jalal and his 360 companions the local pagans were brought under control and they began to spread Islam. He died in Sylhet in or around the year 1350. His shrine is located inside the parameter of the mosque complex known as Dargah-e-Shah Jalal. Even today Shah Jalal remains revered; visitors arrive from all over Bangladesh and beyond to pay homage.[11] Saints such as Shah Jalal or even, Shah Paran were responsible for the conversion of most of the populace from native religion of Hinduism or Buddhism to Islam. Shortly thereafter, Sylhet became a center of Islam in Bengal. In the official documents and historical papers, Sylhet was often referred to as Jalalabad during the era of the Muslim rule.[12][13]

In the late 18th century, the British East India Company became interested in Sylhet and saw it as an area of strategic importance in the war against Burma. Sylhet gradually was absorbed into British control and administration and was governed as a part of Bengal. After the British administrative reorganization of India, Sylhet was eventually incorporated into Assam. It remained a part of Assam for the rest of the era of British rule. In 1947, following a referendum, almost all of erstwhile Sylhet became a part of East Pakistan, barring the Karimganj subdivision which was incorporated into the new Indian state of Assam.[14] In 1971, Sylhet became part of the newly formed independent country of Bangladesh.[12]

Sylhet has a "friendship link" with the city of St Albans, in the United Kingdom. The link was established in 1988 when the District council supported a housing project in Sylhet as part of the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. Sylhet was chosen because it is the area of origin for the largest ethnic minority group in St Albans.[15] In July 1996, the mayor Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran signed the Twinning accord between Sylhet and the London Borough of Tower Hamlets (home to around 40,000 Sylhetis at the time), with the mayor of Tower Hamlets late Albert Jacobs in London.[16]

Geography and climate

The climate of Sylhet is tropical monsoon with a predominantly hot and humid summer and a relatively cool winter. The city is within the monsoon climatic zone, with annual average highest temperatures of 23°C (Aug-Oct) and average lowest temperature of 7°C (Jan). Nearly 80% of the annual average rainfall of 3,334 mm occurs between May and September.[17]

The Sylhet Division with its hills and basins constitute one of the most distinctive regions in Bangladesh. Situated to the north-east of the country the Division lies between 23º59’ and 25º13’ north latitude and 90º54’ and 90º30’ east longitude. The physiography of Sylhet comprises mainly of hill soils, encompassing a few large depressions known locally as "beels" which can be mainly classified as oxbow lakes, caused by tectonic subsidence primarily during the earthquake of 1762. It is flanked by the Indian states of the Meghalaya in the north, Assam in the east, Tripura in the south and the Bangladesh districts of Netrokona, Kishoregonj and Brahmanbaria in the west. The area covered by Sylhet Division is 12,569 km², which is about 8% of the total land area of Bangladesh.

Geologically, the region is complex having diverse sacrificial geomorphology; high topography of Plio-Miocene age (20 million years B.P) such as Khasi and Jaintia hills and small hillocks along the border. At the centre there is a vast low laying flood plain of recent origin with saucer shaped depressions, locally called Haors. Available limestone deposits in different parts of the region suggest that the whole area was under the ocean in the Oligo-Miocene (30 Million years B.P)

Climate data for Sylhet, Bangladesh
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Source: [18]

Civic administration

Sylhet (City) consists of 27 wards and 210 mohallas. The area of the town is 57.64 km².[19] The rapid growth and expansion of Sylhet occurred during the colonial period. Sylhet Municipality was established in 1878. A devastating earthquake demolished almost the entire town on 12 June 1897. A modern and European model new town was built on the wreckage later. Many new roads were constructed in late 1890s. Sylhet became really connected to the other parts of the country with the establishment of an extension line of Assam-Bengal Railway in 1912-15. From the very beginning of the 20th century, the importance of Sylhet city increased with the establishment of the tea industry. In 1950s and 1960s, rapid urbanization took place in the town, fostered, by the expatriate Sylhetis and the process is still going on. At present, Sylhet is the district-headquarters as well as the divisional headquarters of the districts of Sunamganj, Habibganj, Maulvi Bazar and Sylhet District.[20]

Economy

Zindabazar point in the city center
Hotel Supreme in Sylhet
The Garden City tower in Sylhet

The construction industry in Sylhet is currently booming, with many shopping centres and apartments being built to luxurious standards, funded by foreign investment from Sylhetis living abroad, in particular by British Bangladeshis, over 95 percent of whom come from Sylhet,[21] and are now looking to invest back in Sylhet. As a result property prices are rising. Many new hotels and restaurants, often themed on those found in London, have also been established to cater to the visiting Sylheti expatriate population and the growing Sylheti middle classes.[22] These include, the London Mansion, Rose View Hotel (The only 5 Star Hotel in Sylhet), Sylhet Millennium, Blue Water, London Fried Chicken and Tessco (misspelt from the original Tesco).[22] And the first Apart-Hotel and resort in Bangladesh is a five-star hotel, called "Grand Sylhet".[23]

During the fiscal year of 2005-06, the flow of foreign remittances rose by 25 percent to $4.8 billion, which have been sent mostly by expatriates of Sylheti origin in the UK. That amount is expect to increase to $5.5 billion in 2007, with the government's attention toward supervising and monitoring banks.[24] The amount of idle money lying with the commercial banks in Sylhet as deposits is about 4,000 crore taka, which is not common in the rest of Bangladesh.[25]

The Bangladesh government has taken steps to set up a special Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Sylhet, in order to attract foreign investors, notably non-resident Bangladeshis living abroad. Such include people from Sylheti origin that reside in the UK. The plan comes as an initiative toward stimulating the ongoing investment that has already taken place in Sylhet as well as providing a basis towards long-term investment to turn Sylhet into a major economic hub.[26] Investments by British Bangladeshis led the way for two additional privately owned airlines, Royal Bengal Airlines and United Airways (Bangladesh), to launch services in 2007. The investment is regarded to serve the Sylheti population living in the UK.[27] Air Sylhet is another British-Bangladeshi owned UK airline that hopes to launch services in 2007. The Sylhet area contains several important natural gas fieldes, which make an important contribution to the energy balance of Bangladesh.

Demographics

The population of Sylhet within the city corporation, is estimated approximately 445,798 as of 2007.[2] The Sylhet District has a population of 2,675,346 as of 2001, constituting 2.06% of the national population.[28] It has an average literacy rate of 64% (males 68% and females 59%); the figures are lower in rural areas. The population growth rate of the city is 1.73%, which has reduced from 1.93% in 1991.[2] The density of population is 11,936 per km².

The Sylheti language (Silôţi or Sileţi) is the main language spoken in the city as well as throughout the division, and is considered as a dialect of Bengali, which does not contain a written form, where in this case Bengali is written, and sometimes spoken.[29] It is often accepted that Sylheti is a separate language on its own right, however it has not been given an official status by the government. There is much debate to whether it should be recognized, for example there is greater differences of Sylheti to Bengali, than Assamese to Bengali, which is recognised as separate.[30] Most Sylhetis are at least bilingual to some degree, as they are taught Bengali at all levels of education in Bangladesh. Sylheti is also the dominant dialect of Bengali in India, mainly in Assam, Silchar, and in north-eastern regions.[31]

An elderly Sylheti immigrant in London, UK

The majority of Sylhetis are Muslims (93%), other religious groups include Hindus (7%), and very few numbers of other religions, mainly Buddhists and Christians (less than 0.1%).[28] The majority of the people are mainly Sunni Muslims who follow the Hanafi school;[10] there are also other followers of the Sunni Sufi movement of "Fultoli", based on teachings of Saheb Qibla Fultali (born in the village of Fultoli in Sylhet). It is said that the leader is a descendant of Shah Kamal, one of the disciples of Shah Jalal.[32] Research in Bangladesh found that 60% of Sylhetis pray daily as compared to 35% in the whole country.[33] Most people are also influenced by Sufi masters or ideas.

Expatriate communities

Further information: British Bangladeshi and Bangladeshi American

There are thousands of people who have immigrated from Sylhet to other countries. About 150,000 people have immigrated to the United Kingdom from Sylhet.[34] They are mainly settled in London (mainly in the East London boroughs), Birmingham and Oldham. They have established themselves by, notably in Brick Lane which has been dubbed as "Banglatown" - home to many Sylheti-owned restaurants, 95% of Bangladeshis in the borough have origins to the city of Sylhet. Sylheti foreigners living in the UK, are known as "Londoni" for a distinguished identity with in the community. [35][32][36][37][38] Thousands (up to 100,000 people) of Bengalis (majority being Sylheti) gather in East London to celebrate the Baishakhi Mela annually in May, featuring Bengali and Sylheti songs.[39][40] Many have also immigrated to the United States—mainly in New York City (large concentrations in Manhattan) and other areas, also many are foreign workers in the Gulf states, and settlers in Dubai.

Culture

Further information: Culture of Bangladesh

Given its unique cultural and economic development, and linguistic differences (Greater Sylhet region was a part of Assam and Surma Valley State for much of the British Raj in comparison to the rest of Bangladesh), and given that Sylhet has, for most of its recent history, been a region of a larger entity.[41][42] As so many Sylhetis are resident abroad, Sylhet has a major flow of foreign currency from non-resident Bangladeshis. There are large shopping malls in the city, these include the Al Hamra Shopping Centre, Bluewater, Sylhet Millenium, Sylhet Plaza, Shukria Market and many others, mainly located in Zindabazar.[43] These malls sell many items in particular from a wide range of sarees. Majority of these shoppers are from the middle-class and visiting expatriates. The major holidays celebrated in Sylhet include traditional and religious celebrations, these include Eid-ul-Fitr after Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.[44] Cultural or nationalistic celebrations include the Language Movement Day, this is where wreaths are laid at the Shaheed Minar paying tribute to the martyrs, the Bangladeshi Independence Day and Victory Day celebrated with parades by school and academies.

Sylheti attachment to their regional identity also continues in the efforts of many Sylhetis to keep marital relationships within the same regional cultural background.[45] Sylheti people are considered as a distinct ethnic group in Bangladesh;[3] this is mainly because of language differences between the standard Bangla language, and the Sylheti dialect, and they are fiercely protective of their language. There are also many cultural and custom differences between Bengalis and Sylhetis.[46] Many Sylhetis only marry within the Sylheti-speaking community, and not people from other regions of Bangladesh. They are also more domesticated, have a family-orientated community type of culture, and are more conservative Muslims.[47] These stereotypes have led to some rivalry between non-Sylhetis and Sylhetis, du eto differences of cultural customs.[48]

Marriages are practiced in a traditional Bengali Muslim style, with the gae holud ritual, and the prayers. Most marriages however in Sylhet, are mainly of Londoni men with Sylheti women. It is believed that the brides have brought a new Sylheti type of culture, which are then passed on to British-born children. Some are held between cousins, which have then bonded extended families further on, while those un-related will increase links between relatives in London and Sylhet. Those who marry in Bangladesh, will return back to Britain with their wives (due to immigration laws), vise versa is not practiced frequently.[49]

Transport

Osmani International Airport

Cycle rickshaws, auto rickshaws, buses, mini-buses and cars are the main modes of transport for the city, with close to 80,000 rickshaws running each day. Sylhet is well connected by highways and railway links to Chittagong and Dhaka, as well as other parts of Sylhet.

Highway links to India have been established through the Asian highway. The Sylhet Railway Station is the main railway station providing trains on national routes operated by the state-run Bangladesh Railway.

The city of Sylhet is served by Osmani International Airport. It is Bangladesh's third busiest airport and became an international airport due to the demand of British Bangladeshis, whom the vast majority of passengers using the airport are expatriate Bangladeshis and their descendants from the United Kingdom. The main frequent airlines of the airport are, Biman Bangladesh Airlines and domestic flights with GMG Airlines. The airport received its first international arrival on 3 November 2002, with Biman arriving from Kuwait via Abu Dhabi en-route to Dhaka.[50] Work started in 2006 to upgrade the airport to international standards, including a new terminal building, a jetway, a taxiway, and expansion of the runway to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft.[51] It was confirmed that in May 2007, Biman will be operating Hajj flights directly from the airport later in 2007.[52] British Bangladeshi owned airlines, Air Sylhet and Royal Bengal Airline are also seeking landing rights to the airport in order to provide a better service to the expatriate community in the UK.

Education

Main article: List of educational institutes of Sylhet
Further information: Education in Bangladesh
File:FrontviewAbySOHAILMFK.jpg
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Sylhet city is served by Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education, Sylhet and educational institutes like Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,[53] Sylhet Government Pilot High School,[54] Sylhet Engineering College,[55] Murari Chand College,[56] and Osmani Medical College.[57] Other notable educational institutions are Jalalabad Cantonment Public School and College, Sylhet Cadet College, Sylhet Law College, and Jamia Tawakkulia Renga Madrasah. There are also private English schools, among them Scholars-home is one of the English medium schools. There are also four private universities in Sylhet, namely Leading University, Sylhet international University and Metropolitan University.

There are also four private medical colleges in Sylhet, namely Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College and Hospital, North East Medical College & Hospital, Sylhet Women's Medical College and Durre Samad Red Crescent Medical College. Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College is the largest; established in 1995, founded by philanthropist Ragib Ali and his wife Rabeya Khatun.[58]

Twin cities

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Bangladesh clamps down on beggars" BBC News 2 April 2009, accessed 2 April 2009
  2. ^ a b c Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistical Pocket Book, 2007 (pdf-file) 2007 Population Estimate. Accessed on 2008-09-29.
  3. ^ a b "BBC London: Faith - Bangladeshi London". BBC. Retrieved 2005-05-29. Cite error: The named reference "BLondon" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Immigration and Emigration - London - Banglatown". BBC: Legacies - UK History Local To You. Retrieved 2008-11-29.
  5. ^ Sylhet - Land of Tea Leaves and Bud iExplore (Community)
  6. ^ Dilip K. Chakrabarti, S. Dara Shamsuddin, M. Shamsul Alam (1992). Ancient Bangladesh: A Study of the Archaeological Sources. Oxford University Press. p. 166.
  7. ^ National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research (Pakistan) (1996). Pakistan Journal of History and Culture. National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research. p. 33.
  8. ^ Hastings, James (2003). Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics Part 3. Kessinger Publishing. p. 476. ISBN 9780766136717.
  9. ^ Imon Chowdhooree. "Present Morphological Trends of Hindu Temples of Bangladesh: Study of Some Selected Cases of Sylhet" (PDF). Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  10. ^ a b "Islam in Bangladesh". OurBangla. Retrieved 2007. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  11. ^ a b Shah Jalal (R). Banglapedia. Retrieved 2007-06-05.
  12. ^ a b Did you know? - Sylhet (PDF). January 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-28. {{cite encyclopedia}}: |work= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Sylhet City. Bangla2000. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  14. ^ Karimganj - District in Assam, India
  15. ^ Sylhet, Bangladesh St. Albans District Council
  16. ^ Sylhet Partnership Photo Gallery Swadhinata Trust. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  17. ^ www.sylhetinfo.com/climate.html
  18. ^ "Average Weather for Sylhet, Bangladesh". Weatherbase. Retrieved 2009-02-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dateformat= ignored (help)
  19. ^ "Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics" (PDF).
  20. ^ "About Sylhet". CyberSylhet.com. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  21. ^ Gardner K (1995). International migration and the rural context in Sylhet. New Community 18: 579–590
  22. ^ a b Peter Foster (02 Dec 2006). "Britain's Bengalis stage great curry takeaway". Telegraph. Event occurs at 1:42AM GMT. Retrieved 2008-11-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ Grand Sylhet 5* Apart-Hotel Bangladesh
  24. ^ "Flow of remittances, RMG earnings to hit $26 b". nation.ittefaq.com. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  25. ^ The Daily Star - Our cities
  26. ^ "Govt plans to set up special EPZ in Sylhet". financialexpress-bd.com. Retrieved 2007-05-19.
  27. ^ "First Bangladeshi owned airline to fly from London". New Age. 2006-08-02. Retrieved 2008-05-19. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 32 (help)
  28. ^ a b "Sylhet Zila At A Gance" (PDF). Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. 2007. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  29. ^ Christina Julios (2008). Contemporary British Identity: English Language, Migrants, and Public Discourse. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. pp.40-41. ISBN 9780754671589
  30. ^ Glanville Price (2000). Encyclopedia of the Languages of Europe. pp. 91-92.
  31. ^ Om Gupta (2006). Encyclopaedia of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. Gyan Publishing House. pp. 2378. ISBN 9788182053892.
  32. ^ a b Dr David Garbin (17 June, 2005). "Bangladeshi Diaspora in the UK : Some observations on socio-culturaldynamics, religious trends and transnational politics (4. Islamist politics among Bangladeshis in the UK)" (PDF). University of Surry. Retrieved 2008-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "BDUK" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  33. ^ J. Kershen, Anne (2005). Strangers, Aliens and Asians: Huguenots, Jews and Bangladeshis in Spitalfields, 1660-2000. Routledge. p. 247. ISBN 9780714655253.
  34. ^ Born Abroad | Bangladesh BBC News. Retrieved on 2009-05-19.
  35. ^ "Genetics, Religion and Identity: A Study of British Bangladeshis - 2004-2007" (PDF). School of Social Sciences - Cardiff University - funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  36. ^ Spitalfields and Banglatown (London Borough of Tower Hamlets) accessed 1 Nov 2007
  37. ^ "From Bangladesh to Brick Lane". The Guardian. 21 June 2002. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
  38. ^ Notes & Theories: First take a chicken tikka masala and a Mitsubishi Independent on Sunday, The (by Stephen Bayley) 03 October, 2004
  39. ^ Baishakhi Mela 2009 (London) - Nukul Kumar - Sylhet Jila Shobche Boro Channel S (via YouTube). 10 May 2009. Retrieved on 2009-05-24.
  40. ^ Mela Magic Tower Hamlets Council. 11 May 2009. Retrieved on 2009-05-24.
  41. ^ Not all Bangladeshis oppose the filming of Brick Lane The Guardian (by Iqbal Ahmed) 20 July, 2006
  42. ^ 'You sanctimonious philistine' - Rushdie v Greer, the sequel The Guardian (by Paul Lewis) 29 July 2006
  43. ^ Sylhet Shopping World66. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  44. ^ Security beefed up in Sylhet for Eid New Age Metro. 22 October 2006. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  45. ^ Bangladesh Web.com
  46. ^ "Feedback : Controversy over Monica Ali's Brick Lane". New Age. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  47. ^ "World News - ...The majority of British Bangladeshis...". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-07-26.
  48. ^ Pavla Navrátilová (7 August, 2007). "Postcolonial issues in Monica Ali's Brick Lane - Bachelor Thesis". MASARYK UNIVERSITY BRNO. Retrieved 2008-11-29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  49. ^ Ballard, Roger (1994). Desh Pardesh: The South Asian Presence in Britain. C. Hurst & Co. Publishers. p. 296. ISBN 9781850650911.
  50. ^ "Biman launches Kuwait-Sylhet flight". Aviatour. 2002-11-22.
  51. ^ "Osmani Airport expansion work begins in July". The Daily Star. 2004-05-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  52. ^ "Runway expansion at Osmani Airport nearing completion". New Age. 2007-05-12. Retrieved 2007-05-14. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  53. ^ Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Varisty Admission. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  54. ^ Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Banglapedia. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  55. ^ Sylhet Engineering College The Daily Star. 9 November 2008. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  56. ^ Mohammad Shafiqul Islam (March 25 2007) Inter University Debate Competition: Metropolitan University Team Champion The Daily Star. Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  57. ^ MAG Osmani Medical College Retrieved on 2009-05-25.
  58. ^ Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College and Hospital
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