Rivers overflow during the rainy season, flooding the surrounding countryside. Low lying areas are covered with waters up to fifteen feet deep and hundreds of miles wide. Monsoon rains and cyclones are yearly occurrences. Although these torrential rains bring immense fertility to the plains, they also destroy lives and damage property. Most Bangladeshis wear loose, lightweight clothing.
Men wear tight skirt-like garments.
At that time, Shah Jalal, a great Muslim saint from Yemen, came with 360 followers and hopes of converting the Bengalis to Islam. While Shah Jalal settled in Sylhet, his followers went to various corners of the district spreading Islam. Shah Jalal and his followers were devoted Sufi Muslims, mystics whose paths to union with God were through mediation, songs, and poetry, rather than strict adherence to Islamic laws. The Sufi approach found great favor with the poor Sylhettis, who were ready to be liberated from the caste system of Hinduism. When Shah Jalal died, he became the patron saint of Sylhet.