SEMINAR: PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION

Submitted to Submitted by
Prof. Syeda Zarina Hossain Kollol chanda shanto
Professor ID :1912040015
Tanjima Siddika Chandni
Assistant Professor
Farhana Hoque
Lecturer
Burhan Uddin
Lecturer
Identifying Heritage Elements Along the Surma in Sheikghat ,
Kuarpara , and Bether Bazar in Sylhet City.
CONTENT

Abstract
1. Introduction.
▪ Bangla Baton house
▪ Beter Bazar community
2. Architectural significance of ‘Bangla Baton’ houses.
3. Significance of vibrant local crafts “Beth shilpo” (Cane craft).
4. Analysis of current state.
▪ Bangla Baton houses
▪ Beter Bazar community
5. Recommendation.
6. Conclusion.
7. References.
ABSTRACT

Once a part of Bengal Presidency and Colonial Assam, Sylhet holds many memories, during that timeline this
region adapted many cultural and architectural patterns or styles. One of them is the “Bangla Baton” house, a
unique urban vernacular archetype that has been adapted to the local context of the Sylhet region. These types
of houses bring out the rich urban history of Sylhet city and carry significant of socio-cultural, environmental,
and architectural values, which is now being considered as elements of heritage. Surveying along the Surma
river through Sheikghat, Kuarpara and Bethar (cane) Bazar this paper has identified many of this type of
houses, some of which have been preserved and well taken care of while some have been abandoned or about
to be demolished. Additionally By observing bether bazar known a vibrant community with amazing skills of
craftsmanship has been discovered. This paper focuses on these two significant heritage elements along this
important traditional route and the need to build awareness for their conservation and enhancement.
INTRODUCTION
▪ Bangla Baton house
Sylhet is one of Bangladesh's most important
spiritual and cultural centres. Originally part of the
Bengal Presidency and later Eastern Bengal and
Assam; the town was part of Colonial Assam
between 1874 and 1947 when following a
referendum and the partition of British India, it
became part of East Pakistan.) At that time this a. (illustration of a bangla batten house)
region adapted many cultural and architectural
pattern or style of houses Most of these houses
used bears a unique regional identity combining
British techniques and local vernacular style. The
Vernacular style is a term used to categorize
methods of construction which uses locally
available resources and traditions to address local
needs. These style was known as Bangla Baton
house .

Fig:1. Bangla Baton houses.

 ▪ Beter Bazar community

Being one of the important cultural centres

Sylhet also has few vibrant community locally
know as Beter bazar community whom are
known for their “Beth shilpo” (Cane craft) .
Around 20 -25 years ago, a factory was
established in Ghasitula area of ​Sylhet city
under the initiative of Bangladesh Small and
Cottage Industries Corporation (BSIC). After
sometime it stopped production, due to supply
shortages of beth in Sylhet. Once Sylhet was
Furniture shop famous for beth shilpo, In 1885, the first cane
factory was manufactured. Beth (cane) furniture
and household items manufactured. Till 1926
beth was found in abundance in the forests of
Sylhet. Due to faulty, lack of care and over
collection of this natural product, its availability
started to decrease.

Beter furniture
Significance of ‘Bangla Baton’ houses.

The ‘Bangla Baton’ houses are a regional

archetype in the greater Sylhet region of
Bangladesh. The word ‘Bangla’ points out the
Bengal region, and ‘Baton’ means wooden planks
or bars ‘Bangla Baton’ houses are also known as
‘Ikra houses’ as the walls are often made of a local
plant name ‘Ikra’ reed. This style was primarily
developed during the British colonial India,
Baton house
forming a blended tradition between ethnic identity
and modern technology. House Form. In the case
of ‘Bangla Baton’ houses with a smaller built-up
area, the plan is regular and symmetric. These
houses are typically single-storied structures with
a unique roofing system, where the indoor and
semi-outdoor spaces rest under a single pitch .

Roof patterns
 One of the unique features of the ‘Bangla Baton’ houses is
the modular construction technique. The construction is
carried out in three of four phases, which comprises the
foundation work of erecting the angle bars, building the
frame structure for a wall, settling the roof system with the
bamboo fence or wood planks supported by rafter and
purlins, and last, plastering the fabricated structure with
cement and lime.

The foundation was typically shallow, with a plinth of

masonry structure and sometimes there was no
foundation as they were lightweight structures. To
strengthen the Baton wall, sometimes masonry half walls
were constructed at the bottom, which also helped in the
maintenance work. Local artisan and masons engineer the
entire process, and that represents significant influences
of traditional craftsmanship. In the previous times, the
structural system was purely timber post-beam frames,
and the walls were made by bamboo mesh, but later, to
strengthen the joints and take larger spans, iron angle
bars were introduced.
Significance of vibrant local crafts “Beth shilpo”
(Cane craft)

Cane craft is a traditional cottage industry of Bangladesh.

Beth (cane) has many uses in the household. Just as bath
(cane) is needed in house construction, bath (cane) is also
valued for decorative purposes. In some parts of the country,
women are more skilled than men in cane work. In many
areas, making cane furniture and other items is a good way
of earning for both men and women. Different types of cane
are used for different purposes. Jali and Golla beth (cane) are
commonly used in cane industry. Cane is mainly used for Beter chair
weaving and tying. Different types of thin and thick cane
have to be picked up according to the pattern. due to supply
shortages of beth in Sylhet.

Beter furniture
Analysing current state

The study area comprises of a corridor though the

traditional areas of Sheikghat and Kuarpara where
several baton houses are still found to be used
as residences but these are at high risk of
disappearance, because the owners houses are
being influenced to make inappropriate space
modifications and some intend to demolish these
significant house structures due to high land
prices and significantly higher financial gains by
building multistoried apartments.
Like elsewhere in traditional cities, this tendency
is due to rapid urbanization, population growth,
change of profession of the inhabitants etc. beth
(cane) bazar area the information collected is that
beth (cane) is being imported from abroad. Due
to high prices, traders are making losses in this
craft industry. Sylhet District map
 d. (Old baton house)

a. (Old baton house)

e. (Old baton house)

b. (Old baton house)

g. Old baton house being demolishing

c. Old baton house being demolishing

h. (Jitu miar bari) Existing pictures of Bangla Beton houses near Sheikghat , Kuarpara
 a. (shop)

e.(shop)

b. (shop)

f. (factory)

c. (shop)

g. (shop)

d. (stored raw beth on street)

Existing pictures of factories nearby beth shops/market in Ghasitula
RECOMMENDATION

Due to urbanization and increased financial returns, owners of the traditional single storied Baton houses are
tempted to demolish their houses and build higher and more building square foot areas with easily available
materials such as brick and concrete. If awareness can be created of its traditional value, high- end use giving
higher financial return can be ensured by changing its use, beautifying the area, making it visible and known to
city residents and visitors perhaps many of these structures may be saved. The City authorities and socio-cultural
bodies may play a significant part in this respect.

A number of steps may be taken to save our unique beth (cane) craft industry. To increase local production our
forest areas for growth of beth (cane) needs reservation so that extraction and collection is done under a
supervised process. Some financial assistance may be provided by the city / state to save this craft and import
duty may be reduced. Motivational programs may be organized to influence people to patronize beth (cane)
furniture as a natural product instead of plastics which are a threat to the environment. Designers may train the
local craftsmen to introduce new designs to attract their product over other items.
CONCLUSION

Two different traditional items is the focus of this paper. One is the fear of demolition and loss of the
traditional house form known as the Bangla Baton house adopted from the Assam house pattern and
the other is the once flourishing Beth craft of Sylhet. A collective effort by the state, city authorities,
land and building owners, buyers, designers, academicians and residents may hopefully succeed in
saving this unique traditional craft.