Sylhet: History, Heritage, and Identity

Historical Background

Sylhet, now one of the most vibrant regions of Bangladesh, has a long and layered history.
Before the independence of the Indian subcontinent in 1947, Sylhet was part of the Assam Province under British rule.
Its people, however, shared much more in common culturally and linguistically with Bengal than with the Assamese-speaking regions.
The city was known for its rich culture, education, and the spread of Islam through early Sufi saints such as Hazrat Shah Jalal in the 14th century,
whose influence helped shape Sylhet’s spiritual and cultural identity.

When the British decided to divide India into two nations—India and Pakistan—the future of Sylhet became uncertain.
The British government organized a public vote known as the Sylhet Referendum on July 6–7, 1947.
The question was simple but momentous: should Sylhet remain a part of Assam within India, or should it join the newly proposed East Pakistan?
The result was a majority vote in favor of joining East Pakistan, largely influenced by the region’s Muslim majority.

Following this decision, the Radcliffe Boundary Commission determined that most of Sylhet would go to East Pakistan,
while Karimganj subdivision would remain in India.
This division split families, villages, and communities that had coexisted for generations.
Thousands of Hindus left Sylhet for India, particularly to Shillong and other towns in Meghalaya and Assam,
fearing communal unrest and uncertainty. At the same time, Muslim families from Indian territories migrated into Sylhet.

After the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, Sylhet became an integral part of independent Bangladesh.
The region has since developed into a center of education, remittance-based economy, and tourism, known for its lush hills, tea estates, and deep cultural roots.

Historical Timeline

Culture and Language

Sylhet’s culture is a blend of Bengali, Arab, and Persian influences, shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and spiritual life.
The Sylheti language—closely related to Bengali but distinct in accent, vocabulary, and pronunciation—is widely spoken both in Sylhet and among its diaspora.
Many Sylhetis also use their own script, known as the Sylheti Nagri script, which has historical importance in local literature and religious texts.

The region is also renowned for its tea industry. Sylhet produces some of the finest tea in South Asia, with vast estates stretching across its hills.
During the British colonial period, tea cultivation transformed Sylhet’s economy and introduced a plantation labor community whose descendants still live and work in the area today.

The Sylheti diaspora plays a major role in connecting Sylhet with the world.
From the mid-20th century onwards, large numbers of Sylhetis migrated to the United Kingdom, especially to cities like London, Birmingham, and Manchester.
Today, Sylheti communities abroad contribute significantly to Bangladesh’s economy through remittances and investments, while maintaining strong cultural and family ties to their ancestral homeland.

Sylhet in India and Beyond

Even after the partition, Sylheti culture continues to thrive across borders.
In Shillong and Karimganj, large Sylheti Hindu and Bengali-speaking communities maintain their customs, cuisine, and festivals.
These communities preserve a shared sense of origin that transcends national boundaries, reflecting the deep historical bond between Sylhet and the wider Northeast Indian region.

Map of Sylhet and Karimganj

The following map highlights the Sylhet region in Bangladesh and the nearby Karimganj district that remained in India after 1947.
You can zoom in or move around the map to explore the region and its surroundings.

References & Further Reading

• Chatterjee, Partha. The Nation and Its Fragments: Colonial and Postcolonial Histories. Princeton University Press, 1993.
• Siddiqi, Dina M. “Partition and Identity: The Sylhet Referendum.” South Asia: Journal of South Asian Studies, Vol. 25, 2002.
• Ahmed, Sirajul (ed.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2015.
• Banerjee, Paula. Marginal Lives, Displaced Citizens: Women and Migration in Northeast India. Seagull Books, 2008.

This page offers a plain-English summary of Sylhet’s historical, cultural, and social background, suitable for educational or general readers.