Hazrat Shahjalal Rah. Shrine

Hazrat Shahjalal Rah. Shrine

Shah Jalal’s Dargah is a spiritual site in the city of Sylhet, primarily known as the residence and final resting place of Shah Jalal, a prominent Islamic preacher from the West who arrived in Bangladesh around 1303 AD. Located approximately 8 kilometers east of Sylhet city, 3 kilometers inside from the Tamabil road, on a high and scenic hill, lies the eternal resting place of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R.A). He is regarded as a famous Sufi saint and Pir (spiritual leader) of the Indian subcontinent and is also known by the title “Olikul Shiromani” (Crown Jewel of the Saints). Some believe that the spread of Muslim civilization and religious culture in Sylhet was centered around this very dargah. This place, filled with both legendary and mystical memories of Shah Jalal, is one of Sylhet’s most significant pilgrimage sites. After Shah Jalal’s conquest of Sylhet—prompted by the oppression of Sylhet’s first Muslim, Sheikh Burhan Uddin (R.A), by the Hindu king Gour Govinda—Shah Jalal and his 360 companions arrived, which is why Sylhet is often referred to as “The Land of the 360 Saints.” This is also why some refer to Sylhet as a “holy land.” According to historian Achyut Charan Chowdhury, the followers of Shah Jalal, dispatched from this dargah, helped propagate Muslim culture and traditions across places like Dhaka, Mymensingh, Tripura, Comilla, and Assam. Every year, thousands of people from various regions of Bangladesh and India visit this dargah to express their devotion and gratitude to the Creator during the annual Urs (locally pronounced as “Urus”).

Circumambulation of the Dargah

The shrine of Shah Jalal (R.A.) is referred to as Dargah Hill. At the northern edge of the hill, the tomb of Shah Jalal is located within a walled area, constructed with four tall pillars at each corner. On the western side of the saint’s tomb, there is a small mosque adjacent to the wall, which was reconstructed by Wilks, the then magistrate and collector of Sylhet. To the east and west of Shah Jalal’s tomb lie the graves of Prince Sheikh Ali of Yemen and Makbul Khan, the minister of the Gaur Kingdom in India, respectively. On the southern approach to the Dargah, beside the entrance, there are the graves of three saints, Haji Yusuf, Haji Khalil, and Haji Daria, who assisted the saint. Next to them is the grave of the former caretaker of the Dargah, Abu Turab. Further west from here, along the entrance, there is another enclosure containing the graves of two other caretakers of the Dargah, Abu Nasir and Abu Nasar, who are buried side by side. To the south, there is a tall building known as the Clock House, which features a dome. East of this clock house is a large building with a prominent dome, known as a strong structure in this region. It is commonly referred to as the Dome, which was built during the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb by his trusted worker, Farhad Khan. South of the dome, there is a large prayer hall known as the Dargah Mosque, which serves the Muslim community. This mosque was built during the time of Sultan Abu Mujafar Yusuf Shah of Bengal (in 1400) by Minister Majlis-e-Attar, and it was later reconstructed in 1744 during the time of Faujdar Bahram Khan. This mosque is the largest place of worship for Muslims in Sylhet city. In front of the mosque, there is a vast courtyard that runs north-south. The courtyard has been constructed very solidly with stone masonry on the hill. To descend from the hill, there are stairs located on the east and south sides of the courtyard. When you descend the stairs, you will find a single-roofed room beside the Dargah Hill, which is built for female visitors to worship. To the north, there is a water system for ablutions (recently established) for the worshippers. A short distance to the north, in a large pond, swim fish of the Gazar species, which come to the surface when called for food. According to popular folklore, Shah Jalal used to keep these fish, which is why devotees and the local residents of Sylhet continue to show affection towards the Gazar fish. In December 2003, unknown individuals poisoned and killed more than 700 Gazar fish in the pond, leaving it empty of fish. Later, in January 2004, 24 Gazar fish were brought from the pond of the shrine of Shah Mustafa in Moulvibazar and released into the pond. It is reported that the number of Gazar fish in the pond has now reached several hundred. To the immediate north of the Dargah pond and east of Dargah Hill, there is a large courtyard. In the northeastern part of this courtyard, there used to be a large Langarkhana (a place for serving free food). Long ago, this was used as a shelter for tourists, foreign visitors, and the poor and needy, but it is currently closed due to environmental reasons. East of the Langarkhana, in another room, there are two large cooking pots made of brass, each capable of cooking seven cows and seven hundred weight of rice at once. Inscribed in Persian on the edge of these pots is that Sheikh Abu Saeed, son of Yar Mohammad, who resided in Jahangir Nagar (the old name of Dhaka), had these pots made and sent to the Dargah by Murad Bakhsh. The date is mentioned as the month of Ramadan in 1106 Hijri (1695 AD). At the eastern boundary of the Dargah courtyard and just south of the pot room, there is a long wall running north-south, with the main entrance to the Dargah located in the middle of it, known as the Dargah Gate. To the south of the Dargah Gate, there is a hostel along with a Hafizia Madrasa.

History of Dargah

After the conquest of Sylhet, Sultan Shamsuddin Firuz Shah of Delhi proposed to Shah Jalal to take over the governance of Sylhet. However, Shah Jalal rejected this proposal. Subsequently, the Sultan issued a special proclamation, declaring Sylhet city (Kasbe Sylhet) tax-free and honoring the saint, which still remains in effect (in the area related to the shrine). Since the Sultanate era, it was customary for Nawabs, kings, or royal officials visiting Sylhet to construct various types of buildings and to enhance and expand the shrine with respect. There are various inscriptions on bronze and stone plaques indicating that the structures located in the courtyard of the shrine were built during the Sultanate and Mughal periods. For example, on the plaque of the largest mosque in Sylhet, it is stated that it was constructed by the Sultans of Bengal in 1400. A plaque also indicates that the wall surrounding the tomb of Shah Jalal was built by Lutfullah Amin Bakshi. Thus, various buildings, mosques, and ponds have been constructed over time by different rulers, including kings and sultans, in homage to Shah Jalal. Additionally, records of donations for the Dargah’s Langarkhana, provisions for the caretakers, and contributions for the illumination of the shrine can also be found, showcasing the respect shown by the Sultans and Mughal emperors towards the saint. Whenever the royal officials from Delhi were appointed as governors of Sylhet, it was customary for them to visit the shrine to pay their respects before assuming their duties. They would officially acknowledge their appointment through the caretakers of the shrine, and this tradition persisted until the early British colonial period. An examination of old records from the Dargah reveals that when the royal officials from Delhi arrived at the shrine in grand style, the Sheikh of the Khanqah would ceremonially place a turban on the heads of the royal officials. The public would not accept them as governors until Shah Jalal’s endorsement was formally announced.

Caṭṭagrāma

Note- Beware of all kinds of brokers/scammers. Be very careful on the way so as not to get into any kind of danger. In case of any problem, take the help of local administration or call the National Emergency Service of Bangladesh – 999.