Murari Chand College(M.C College)

Murari Chand College(Bengali: মুরারি চাঁদ কলেজ) (usually referred as M C College), was the first college of Sylhet.It was established in 1892.Since then it has been playing important role in the educational, cultural, political sphere of greater Sylhet.

History
M C College was established in 1892 by a local noble person called Raja Girish Chandra Roy. The college was named after his maternal grandfather Murari Chand. It was located beside the present Raja G C School. At the beginning it was a proprietary college. Raja himself used to fund the expenses of the college. From 1892 to 1908 (16 years) until the death of the Raja it remained proprietary.
But in 1908 right after the death of the Raja the college had to apply for government help. Then it become an 'aided' college. For four years it remained 'aided'.
In 1912 the college become fully government administered and was considered as an affiliated college of the University of Calcutta.
In 1925 the college moved to its current campus at Thackarey Hills (now Tilagarh).
In 1942 the Golden Jubilee of the college was observed by the publishing of the Murari Chand College Golden Jubilee Volume.
Academics
Departments
There are currently 13 departments at M C College1.Bangla2.Botany3.Chemistry4.Economics5.English6.History7.History of Islam8.Mathematics9.Philosophy10.Physics11.Political Science12.Psychology13.Zoology
Teachers
Infrastructure
Academic Buildings
Presently there are nine academic buildings in the college.They are consist of classrooms, library, department offices etc. and mainly used to conduct classes.Almost all of the departments have their own academic buildings except a few.
Library
The central library of the college is one of the oldest libraries in the region.It houses a huge number of volumes many of them are rare.The library is widely used by researchers.
Hostel
There are two individual hostels for boys and girls which provide accommodation for the students from distant places.The boys hostel consists of six blocks.
Cultural Activities
Every year M C College organizes the celebration of Pahela Baishakh (Bangla New Year). People of all class and profession take part in the procession which makes it one of the most colourful event of the day.
Notable Alumni
Neehar Ranjan Roy famous historian.[1]
Abu Taher famous freedom fighter and leftist politician.
M Altaf Hossain former editor of Dawn.[2]
Saifur Rahman former finance minister of Bangladesh.

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Shahjalal University of Science and Technology,(Bengali: শাহজালাল বিজ্ঞান ও প্রযুক্তি বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় Shah-jalal Bigyan O Projukti Bishshobiddalôe) or commonly known with its initials SUST, is a state-supported science and tecnology university located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. Established in 1987, it is the first science and technology university in Bangladesh.[1][2] It is one of the most popular universities in bangladesh according to the the 4icu.org[3] The university started its academic programme from 14 February, 1991 with three departments: physics, chemistry and economics. The campus is located in Kumargaon, approximately five kilometers away from Sylhet.
The university introduced the integrated honours course for the first time in Bangladesh[2] and recently it has introduced the semester system from the 1996-97 session. Every year the existing systems are improving, new departments are going to be opened. According to the masterplan for this university ,which states that within a few years Shahjalal University of Science and Technology will be one of the finest institutions of this country.[4]The first convocation of SUST was held on the 29th April, 1998 and the second convocation of the university was held on the 6th December, 2007.

Schools and Departments

SUST has 23 departments under seven faculties. The faculties are :
School of Agriculture and Mineral Sciences
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science[1]
School of Management and Business Administration
Department of Business Administration
School of Medical Sciences
Sylhet Osmani Medical College
Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College
North-East Medical College
Sylhet Women's Medical College
Durre Samad Rahman Women's Red Crescent Medical College
School of Life Sciences
Department of Biotechnology
Department of Genetics
School of Physical Sciences
Department of Chemistry
Department of Mathematics
Department of Physics
Department of Statistics[2]
School of Applied Sciences & Technology
Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science[3]
Department of Computer Science and Engineering[4]
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Department of Industrial and Production Engineering
Department of Petroleum & Georesources Engineering[5]
Department of Tea Technology
Department of Architecture
School of Social Sciences.
Department of Anthropology
Department of Economics
Department of Political Studies
Department of Public Administration
Department of Social Work
Department of Sociology
Department of English[6]
Bengali Language.
Institute
The university has one newly established affiliated college, named: Sylhet Engineering College. Sylhet Engineering College consists of three departments:
Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
Department of Civil Engineering.
There are 3 other affiliated medical colleges under the School of Medical Science.
The university campus is famous for its natural beauty. Many visitors to Sylhet visit the "Shahid Minar" (Martyr's Memorial) of the university. The memorial stands on the top of a small hill and is surrounded by trees. Different cultural organizations arrange programs on the premises, and on local and national occasions.
The first ever Bangladesh Mathematics Olympiad was held in Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in 2004.[6]
Students of SUST consistently take a good number of places in the country's national civil service examinations. Many alumni can be found doing graduate studies and researches at renowned universities around the world.
Prominent teachers/lecturers there include the renowned Bangladeshi writer and scientist, Professor Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, who is a professor of Computer Science and Engineering as well as the Head of the dept.

Academics
SUST mainly enrolls undergraduate and graduate students.Students who want to get admission into SUST need to pass the admission test which is highly competitive.Admission test are arranged by the specific schools under the authority of admission council.In recent years,number of applicants for each seat has been stood at 12. SUST also welcomes foreign students.There is a significant number of foreign students especially from Nepal.There are some students in its affiliated medical college from Indian Kashmir.
Classes
SUST has an extensive core curriculum required of all undergraduates.SUST adopted American course credit systems for all departments prior to most of the universities in Bangladesh.The syllabus are always updated frequently to maintain the global standard of education. CSE Society also organizes several workshops for the CSE students of this country.
Research
Some national and international Seminar and conferences on academic matters and scientific researches are held in this university. Recently the international conference on waste water treatment was held in SUST which was hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science. The university launches "Online Journals" access facility to the teachers recently.
Life at SUST
Housing
Ladies Hall
Currently there are 3 halls of residence.These three halls can accommodate about 1600 students.
Halls of Residence
Shah Poran hall
The New Hall
The Ladies Hall
There are also well decorated teacher's houses for the faculty members of SUST.
Activities
Side by side with the regular academic affairs, the students participate in different extracurricular activities. The University Student's union and other cultural organizations arrange cultural programmes and competitions. As of now, there are about 29 organization of different types which are registered by the university authority. ShahJalal University of Science & Technology Debating Club(SUST Debating Club /SDC) is one of the prominent debating clubs of Sylhet as well as Bangladesh.SDC is the first club of SUST which was established in 1992.SUST Debating Club usually arranges the inter-department debate competition, the winners of which again take part in the national and inter-university debate competition.SUST Debating Club arranges workshop on debate , weekly study circle etc. The Photographers Association and the Film Societies hold photo exhibitions and film shows. Other organizations like the Science Club, Rovar-scout Club etc. are visible on the campus with their sociocultural activities throughout the year. SUST has many recognized clubs and organizations which are mainly operated by students and teachers always appreciate and help the students. There also some rock bandgroups in SUST."RIM" is one of them."RIM" organize musical concert in SUST campus frequently."NONGAR" is another rock bandgroup.Members of "NONGAR" proud to introduce them as Nongarian.
Concert's Logo of Nongar
There are also some organizations which are operated by individual dipartment's students. "CSE Society" is one of the oldest amongst these.The Students and Teachers of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science Department formed CEP Fraternity [7]
There is a cultural club named "SHIKORH" which is the first and most popular organization in SUST. "SHIKORH" deals with the bengali culture in the university. It has four departments. Music, Drama, Art, Literature. "SHIKORH" is the most performed organization in SUST. All the national programmes are organized by "SHIKORH" along with other organizations. Muhammad Zafar Iqbal is the Chief Advisor of "SHIKORH".
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology has also a newspaper,named Protiddhoni which represents the on campus activities,also covers lifestyle ,entertainment,career etc.First edition has been launched very successfully.
There is a very famous litarery organization named "OHONA PORSHAD" founded by T. M. Ahmed Kaysar and *Mohammed Nurul Alam* two student from SUST. "OHONA PORSHAD" organized a number of folk festival called Louko Mela. They also invited the living mith of Bangla folk singer Shah Abdul Karim. They honored him for his contribution in Bangla Songs and culture.
Another renowned organization of the university is Theatre SUST, which is the first group theater of the University. Theatre SUST established in 7th December 1997. Till today the group has launched approximately 11 productions.
Another renowned organization of the university is SUST OSN[8], to support the free and open source software to the university students. It is taking a part to help the students in learning and using open source software and tools. It has opened a door to the students. Now they can realize that software can be developed or customized to use as they need.
Sports
The students of this university also participate in various sports for recreation and the finest athletes regularly compete in inter-university games like football, handball, volleyball, basketball etc. SUST also have some varsity teams.There is a well equipped gymnasium adjacent to the university student health center. Students organize both inter-department and inter-university tournaments for popular games every year.There is a special club named "SPORTS SUST" for that,which is operating by the student body.Girls and teachers also participate in several games.
Future Plans
For the culture and practice of free and innovative thinking and for mixing and exchanging of views among the teachers and students, the university is building a modern Teachers and Students Centre (TSC). Other projects include construction of an auditorium, seven residential halls for the boys and three residential halls for the girls, a stadium, a sports complex with swimming pool, a gymnasium, a clinic with all modern facilities, and a school and a college for the children of the faculty members and other supporting staff. A multipurpose shopping mall with modern facilities will also be built to meet the demand of the teachers, students and staff.[1]

Shah Paran

Shah Paran (R) was a renowned Sufi saint of the Suhrawardiyya and Jalalia order. It is said that he was the son of a sister of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) and was born in Hadramaut, Yemen. He was an accomplice of his uncle, Shah Jalal, with whom he arrived in India. In 1303 AD, He took part in the expedition of Sylhet which was led by Shah Jalal. After the conquest of Sylhet he established a khanqah at Khadim Nagar in Dakshingarh Pargana, about 7 km away from Sylhet town, where he started Sufi spiritual practices and activities. He played a significant role in propagating Islam and establishing Muslim rule in the Sylhet region.
It is unclear how and when he died, but he is buried near his khanqah. For centuries, large numbers of devotees have been visiting his tomb, a practice which continues even today. On the 4th, 5th and 6th day of Rabi-ul-Awal, the Urs of Hazrat Shah Paran (R) takes place. His grave is located in a high hillock and it is carefully preserved at a place which is built with bricks and surrounded by walls. On the northern side of the grave there is an old tree, the branches and branchlets of which are extended above the entire tomb. The name of the tree is 'Ashagachh' (a tree of hopes). From a close observation of the leaves of the tree, it appears that the tree has grown out of a mixture of the fig, mango and some other tree. People eat the seeds of the figs devotionally in the hope of getting rid of diseases. Mangoes are also eaten with utmost respect as Tabaruk. There is an ancient mosque by the side of the tomb. The mosque has been modernised in 1989-91. About 1500 devout Muslims in a body can now say their prayers there.
Adjacent to the main tomb complex of Shah Paran, found in the East of Sylhet, is another tomb visited by worshipers, that of Konya Shah. Legend has it that this follower of the great saints was neither man nor woman. There is a permanent exhibiton of the life and times of this saint. Contemporary paintings and pictures featured at the tomb/exhibiton depict a person most likely to be a eunuch. Though the original conquerors earned a prominent role in Islamic history, main stream Islam shuns the idea of worshiping saints and eunuchs.

Shah Jalal

Shah Jalal was a saint of Bengal and is the most celebrated personality of the region of Sylhet, Bangladesh. Shah Jalal commands great respect of Muslims of the Indian subcontinent and is regarded as a national hero by Bangladeshis. Shah Jalal's name is associated with the Muslim conquest of Sylhet, of which he is considered to be the main figure. He lies buried at Sylhet.[1]

Early life and education
Born Shaikh Makhdum Jalal ad-Deen bin Mohammed, he was later affectionately renamed Shaikh-ul-Mashaikh Hazrat Shah Jalal al-Mujarrad (the last name meaning "the bachelor", on account of his celibacy). Shah Jalal's date and place of birth is unclear. Various traditions, folklore and hostorical documents suggest different ideas. A number of scholars claim that he was born in 1271 in Konya, Turkey, and later moved to Yemen, either as a child or adult, while others contest he was born in Yemen. He was the son of a Turkish Muslim cleric, who was a contemporary of the famous Persian poet and Sufi saint, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. He was educated and raised by his maternal uncle, Syed Ahmed Kabir, in Mecca. He excelled in his studies and became a Hafiz (one who has committed the Qur'an to memory) and was proficient in Islamic theology. He achieved Kamaliyat (spiritual perfection) after 30 years of study and meditation.
Travel to India
According to legend, his uncle, Sheikh Kabir, one day gave Shah Jalal a handful of earth (soil) and asked him to travel to Hindustan with the instruction that he should settle down at whichever place in Hindustan whose earth matched completely in smell and color the earth he was given, and he should devote his life for the propagation and establishment of Islam there.[1]
Shah Jalal journeyed eastward and reached India in c. 1300, where he met with many great scholars and mystics. He arrived at Ajmer, where he met the great Sufi mystic and scholar, Pir Khawaja Gharibnawaz Muinuddin Hasan Chisty, who is credited with the spread of Islam in India. In Delhi, he met with Nizam Uddin Aulia, another major Sufi mystic and scholar.[1]

Conquest of Sylhet
Tradition goes that a Hindu king named Gaur Govinda ruled the Sylhet area, then predominantly Hindu. Sheikh Burhanuddin, a Muslim who lived in the territory under his control once sacrificed a cow to celebrate the birth of his son. A bird (kite) snatched a piece of flesh of the slaughtered cow and it fell from its beak on the house of a Brahmin Hindu, for whom cows were sacred. According to another tradition, the piece of flesh fell on the temple of the king himself, which he took as a great offence. At the order of the king, Burhanuddin's hands were said to have been cut off and his son killed. Burhanuddin went to the Sultan of Gaur, Shamsuddin Firuz Shah, to whom he submitted a prayer for justice. The Sultan accordingly sent an army under the command of his nephew Sikandar Khan Ghazi. He was, however,was stopped by rains and flood. The Sultan then ordered his Sipah Salar (armed forces chief) Nasiruddin to lead the war. [1]
At this time, Shah Jalal (R) was requested by Nizam Uddin at the behest of sultan firoz shah to travel to Sylhet along with sikander khan gazi to rescue Sheikh Burhan Uddin. With his 360 followers, including his nephew Shah Paran, he reached Bengal and joined the Muslim army in the Sylhet campaign.
Knowing that Shah Jalal was advancing towards Sylhet, Raja Gaur Govinda, the king, removed all ferry boats from the river Surma, thereby cutting off any means of crossing into Sylhet. Legend has it that Shah Jalal crossed the river Surma by sitting on a Jainamaz (prayer rug). Upon reaching the opposite bank, he ordered the Azan (call to prayer) to be sounded, at which the magnificent palace of Gaur Govinda shattered. With Shah Jalal's help, the Hindus were completely defeated and crushed by the Muslim Army.The superior fighting and combat skills helped the Muslim Army.
During the later stages of his life, Shah Jalal devoted himself to propagating Islam to the masses. Under his guidance, many thousands of Hindus and Buddhists converted to Islam. Shah Jalal become so renowned that even the world famous Ibn Battuta, whilst in Chittagong, was asked to change his plans and go to Sylhet to meet this great Awlia. On his way to Sylhet, Ibn Batuta was greeted by several of Shah Jalal (R.A)'s disciples who had come to assist him on his journey many days before he had arrived. Once in the presence of Shah Jalal (R.A), Ibn Batuta noted that Shah Jalal (R.A) was tall and lean, fair in complexion and lived by the masjed in a cave, where his only item of value was a goat from which he extracted milk, butter, and yogurt. He observed that the companions of the sheikh were foreign and known for their strength and bravery. He also mentions that many people would visit the sheikh and seek guidance. Shah Jalal (R.A) is therefore instrumental in the spread of Islam throughout north east India including Assam.

Later life
According to legend, Shah Jalal found a match to the earth his uncle once gave him, and according to his uncle's wishes, he settled down in Sylhet, near Choukidhiki. It is from here that he preached Islam and became a celebrated Muslim figure in Bengal. He and his disciples travelled and settled as far as Mymensingh and Dhaka to spread the teachings of Islam, such as Shah Paran in Sylhet, Shah Malek Yemeni in Dhaka, Syed Ahmad Kolla Shahid in Comilla, Syed Nasiruddin in the region of Pargana Taraf, Haji Daria and Shaikh Ali Yemeni. An expedition to Chittagong was lead by Khwaja Burhanuddin Qattan and Shah Badruddin. An expedition to Sunamganj was led by Shah Kamal Qattani, whose shrine is located in Shaharpara, Sunamganj.
Shah Jalal's fame extended across the Muslim world. Ibn Battuta, came to Sylhet and met with Shah Jalal (R.A). Ibn Botuta was a Moroccan Berber[1] scholar and jurisprudent from the Maliki Madhhab (a school of Fiqh, or Sunni Islamic law), and at times a Qadi or judge. However, he is best known as a traveler and explorer.The great Mughal poet, Amir Khusrau gives an account of Shah Jalal (R.A)'s conquest of Sylhet in his book "Afdalul Hawaade". Even today in Hadramaut, Yemen, Sheikh Makhdum Jalaluddin's name is established in folklore.
The exact date of his death is unknown, but he is reported by Ibn Battuta to have died in 746 AH (1347 A.D). He left behind no descendants, as he remained a bachelor his entire life, hence the name "al-Mujarrad" ("the unmarried"). He is buried in Sylhet in his Dargah (tomb), which is located in a neighbourhood now known as Dargah Mohalla, named for his Dargah. His shrine is a significant place of interest in Sylhet, with hundreds of devotees visiting daily. At the Dargah is also located the largest mosque in Sylhet and one of the largest in Bangladesh.

Place of Interest

Historical
Kean Bridge & Watch Of Ali Amjad
Shahi Eidgah
Gour Gobinda Fort
Raynogor Rajbari
Manipuri Rajbari (Medical Road)
Palace Of Jamindar Prosanna Takur
Shrines & Masjid
The Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal
The Shrine of Hajrat Shah Paran
The Shrine of Gazi Burhanuddin
The Shrine of Shah Shundor
The Shrine of Chasni Pir
Manik Pir Tilla (The Shrine of Manik pir)
The Shrine of Shah Taiab Coylani
Museum
Osmani Museum
Museum of Raja's
Natural
Tilagorh Eco Park (Alutol)
Lakkatura,Malnichara & Tarapur Tea Estates.
Parjatan Corporation,Sylhet.(Resort)
Kanishile River Bank
Urban
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
M C College
Dream Land (Theme Park)
Adventure World (Amusement Park)
ZAK Estate (Park and Resort)
Osmani Shishu Udyan (Park)
Shindabad (Al Hamra Market)

Sportsman

Rani Hamid chess player
Kaiser Hamid footballer
Tapash Baisya cricketer
Enamul Haque Jr cricketer
Alok Kapali cricketer
Rajin Saleh cricketer

Politician

Humayun Rashid ChoudhuryAL
Abdus Samad AzadAL
Shah M S KibriaAL
Saifur RahmanBNP
Suranjit SenguptaAL
Badar Uddin Ahmed KamranAL
M A Haque (abdul haque)BNP
Ilias AliBNP
A.N.M Shafiqul HaqAL
Dr. Sofiqur RahmanJIB
Moulana Habibur Rahman JIB
Forid Uddin Chy. JIB
Ehsanul Mahbub Jubair, JIB
Ajijur Rashid Babul, JIB
Dr. Ridwanur Rahman, Ex-Shibir President
Md. Shalim Uddin, Ex-President Central Shibir