History of Sylhet and British Bangladeshis [Short Film]

Summary

This video explores the rich cultural, historical, and socio-economic journey of Silet, Bangladesh, focusing on its Islamic heritage, the British colonial period, and the migration of British Bangladeshis. It highlights the arrival of Sufi Saint Shah Jalal, the growth of Islam in the region, and the role of tea production in the British Empire. The video also delves into the lives of modern-day British Bangladeshis, the impact of migration post-World War II, and the efforts to support rural communities in Silet. Through personal reflections, it encourages a stronger connection with the ancestral homeland and a return to giving back.

Takeaways

• 😀 Selet is a historically significant city in northeastern Bangladesh, known for its scenic tea gardens and pastoral lands, and is home to a large British Bangladeshi diaspora.
• 😀 The Islamic history of Selet began with the arrival of the Sufi saint Shah Jalal from Yemen in 1303, who played a key role in spreading Islam after liberating the region from a tyrannical Hindu king.
• 😀 Shah Jalal's legacy includes the formation of a group of followers called the She Bonga, a community that traces its lineage back to him and his companions.
• 😀 Selet's history during the partition of British India in 1947 is significant, with the region holding a referendum that led to its inclusion in East Bengal (later East Pakistan).
• 😀 The British colonial period, beginning in 1757, was marked by economic activities in Selet, especially the tea industry, which contributed significantly to the British Empire's wealth.
• 😀 The tea trade in Selet was crucial to the British economy, with the region's tea plantations dating back to the mid-19th century and playing a role in the British Empire's global expansion.
• 😀 Jaflong, a stone quarry in Selet, is both a key resource for building materials and a popular tourist destination in Bangladesh.
• 😀 The British Bangladeshi diaspora has contributed significantly to Selet's economy, with many individuals sending remittances back home to fund development projects in the region.
• 😀 Selet's food culture is diverse, with fish-based dishes being popular, although British Bangladeshis have influenced the local cuisine by introducing items like pizza, fried chicken, and gourmet burgers.
• 😀 The growth of Selet's infrastructure and modern businesses reflects the socio-economic progress of British Bangladeshis, who have contributed to both their ancestral home and their new lives in the UK.

Q & A

What is Sylhet most famously known for?

Sylhet is most famously known for its scenic pastoral lands and tea gardens.

Who is Shah Jalal, and what role did he play in Sylhet's history?

Shah Jalal was a Muslim conqueror and Sufi saint believed to have come from Yemen to spread Islam in Sylhet. He fought a tyrannical Hindu king and liberated the region in 1303, after which Islam spread throughout Sylhet.

What historical event in 1303 is significant to the Islamic history of Sylhet?

In 1303, the Hindu king of Sylhet, Gurinda, killed the newborn son of Burhan Uddin, leading to a series of events that resulted in the Islamic conquest of Sylhet led by Shah Jalal and his 360 companions.

What influence did the Mughal period have on Sylhet?

During the Mughal period, Sylhet was known as Jalalabad, named after Shah Jalal, and became an important center for the spread of Islam in the region.

How did Sylhet contribute to the British Empire's economy?

Sylhet contributed significantly to the British Empire through its tea industry, with Sylheti tea being a major revenue earner that played a role in funding British wars and colonial expansion.

How did the British colonial presence impact migration to the United Kingdom?

After World War II, economic migration from the Indian subcontinent, including Sylhet, to the UK increased, with many British Bangladeshis coming from Sylhet to help rebuild Britain.

What was the result of the 1947 referendum regarding Sylhet?

The 1947 referendum saw 56% of Sylhet's population voting in favor of joining East Bengal (later East Pakistan), keeping it part of what would become Bangladesh after the country's independence.

How did Sylhet's British Bangladeshi diaspora influence its development?

The British Bangladeshi diaspora, especially from Sylhet, contributed economically by sending remittances, which helped modernize and develop Sylhet, including infrastructure projects and the construction of local mosques.

What role does the Jaflong stone quarry play in Sylhet's economy?

The Jaflong stone quarry is a key source of building materials like stones, cement, and sand, which contribute to Sylhet's local economy and are essential for construction in the region.

What is the significance of the rosev hotel in Sylhet?

The Rosev Hotel in Sylhet is a popular destination for diplomats, celebrities, and sports figures, reflecting the socioeconomic progress of British Bangladeshis who have roots in Sylhet.