Sylhet

Sylhet (Bengali: সিলেট, pronounced [sileʈ] ^ⓘ) is a metropolitan city in the north eastern region of Bangladesh. It serves as the administrative center for both the Sylhet District and the Sylhet Division. The city is situated on the banks of the Surma River and, as of 2025, the metro area population of Sylhet is estimated to be 1,033,000, reflecting a 3.4% increase from 2024.^[5] This makes it the third-largest urban area in Bangladesh.

Sylhet is known for its tea plantations and natural scenery.^[6] The region has been inhabited since ancient times, and since the city's establishment in the 14th century has been ruled by various dynasties including the Mughals, the British, and the Nawabs of Bengal. The city is also home to several important landmarks, such as one of the Islamic sites in Bangladesh, the Shah Jalal Dargah, which attracts thousands of pilgrims annually.^[7] Sylhet is also the first city in the country to have a road with no overhead cable.^[8]

Sylhet is one of the most economically important cities in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Chittagong.^[9] A major commercial and financial center, Sylhet is home to several multinational companies and industries, including the tea industry, which generates a significant amount of revenue for the city. Sylhet has diverse transport infrastructure, with a modern airport, railway station, and bus terminals that connect it to other parts of the country.^[10] The city also has several educational institutions, including Sylhet Agricultural University, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology and Sylhet Cadet College.