SILHET, a district of British India, in the presidency of Bengal, lying between N. Lat. 24. 3. and 25. 12.; E. Long. 91. and 92. 38: bounded on the N. by the land of the Garrows and the district of Jynteah; E. by the district of Cachar; S. by Independent Tipperah; and W. by the districts of Mymensing and Tipperah. Length from E. to W. 102 miles; breadth, 80; area, 3532 square miles. It forms a vast basin, enclosed on three sides, the north, east, and south, by mountains, and only open towards the Brahmapootra, which receives the rivers of the district. The largest of these is the Soormah, which is navigable, except during the dry season, as far as Silhet, the capital of the district. The low country between the mountain-ranges is undulating, and contains many alluvial tracts; but it is for the most part very marshy. Even in the loftier portions there are some marshes, though of less extent. A great part of the country is occupied by forest and jungle. The climate is moist, and not very healthy, and the soil is not suited for many kinds of crops, though there are extensive pastures, on which large numbers of live stock are reared.
Butter, cheese, and hides, along with grain, form the chief articles of export. The only manufactures are a few coarse cotton cloths, mats, and baskets. The population is 380,000, of which about three-fifths are Brahminists, and the rest Mohammedans, there being very few Christians. The only place of importance in the district is Silhet, the capital, which is rather a large straggling village, 120 miles N.E. of Calcutta.