Sylhet Division and its districts
Sylhet Division has four districts:
- Sylhet — the divisional capital, on the Surma river.
- Moulvibazar — including Sreemangal, the tea capital.
- Habiganj — tea estates, wetlands and Satchari forest.
- Sunamganj — haor wetlands such as Tanguar Haor.
History and faith
Sylhet is closely linked with Hazrat Shah Jalal, the 14th-century Sufi saint whose dargah remains the city's most visited place, alongside the shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran. The Keane Bridge over the Surma, opened in the 1930s, and the Ali Amjad clock tower are its best-known landmarks.
Sylhet and the UK
Sylheti seafarers worked on British ships from the 19th century, and migration grew after the Second World War. Today most British Bangladeshis trace their roots to Sylhet, and Brick Lane's 'Banglatown' in east London is the best-known centre of that community. Money sent home by the diaspora shaped many villages and the city's growth.
Sylheti language
Sylheti is spoken by millions in the region and abroad. It has its own historic script, Sylheti Nagri, though Bengali script is used day to day.
Common questions
How many districts are in Sylhet Division?
Four: Sylhet, Moulvibazar, Habiganj and Sunamganj.
Why do so many British Bangladeshis come from Sylhet?
Sylheti seamen worked on British ships from the 1800s, and post-war migration built on those links.
Checked 22 October 2026. Rules, fees and timetables change — confirm with the official source before you travel or pay. Spotted something out of date? Let us know.