The Islamic month of Muharram in the history of Sylhet was a lively time during which tazia processions were common.
Sensing possible communal violence, Ganar Khan requested the Hindu community to delay their festival by one day.
During one of the riots, the King of Manipur Gambhir Singh was passing through the city of Sylhet whilst on a British expedition against the Khasis.
As a Hindu himself, Singh managed to defend the Hindus and disperse the Muslim rioters with his Manipuri troops.
[5] Revered by the Hindu community as a defender of their faith, Singh enjoyed the procession and initiated the practice of celebrating Rothjatra and worshipping Jagannath in his own homeland of Manipur.