The dargah complex, constructed in c. 1500 CE, that incorporates four mosques, a madrasa, the mausoleum and a public cemetery, is located in Sylhet, Bangladesh.

It became a religious centre in the region, respected across multiple ruling administrations and greatly venerated among Bengalis, with local folklore and legends developing around it.

[3][4] Described by Syed Murtaza Ali as "the patron saint of Sylhet",[5] following his death in 1347, Shah Jalal's burial place in the city became an object of veneration.

[8][note 1] The annual urs, a Sufi death anniversary festival, attracts thousands of visitors, mainly from Bangladesh and neighbouring India.

The Sultan of Lakhnauti, Shamsuddin Firuz Shah, requested the saint, as a reward, rule over the newly acquired Qasbah of Srihat (Sylhet).

[14] The original shrine was constructed by Khalis Khan during the reign of Sultan Alauddin Husain Shah of Bengal according to a 1505 CE inscription at the site,[13][15] though earlier religious buildings had previously existed there.

Among these were a large mosque from the reign of Sultan Shamsuddin Yusuf Shah built by a dastur (minister) named Majlis Alam in 1472, as well as potential buried pre-Islamic ruins, though the latter remains unexcavated.

Robert Lindsay, appointed to that role in 1779, gives the following account of his visit:[23][24] I was now told that it was customary for the new resident to pay his respects to the shrine of the tutelar saint, Shaw Juloll.

Being thus purified, I returned to my dwelling, and received the homage of my subjects.Prince Firuz, a son of the Mughal emperor Shah Alam II, visited the dargah in 1850.

Shah Jalal's burial place itself lies in the centre of the compound and is reached via a flight of stairs to the right of this section, though only men are permitted to enter.

[29][30][note 3] The saint's talwars, Quran, robes, wooden kharam, deerskin-prayer rug, copper plates and Arabic-enscribed bowls and cups are also preserved.

[33][10][34] As well as containing a madrasa and a khanqah,[4][35] on the opposite side of the plaza to the tomb is a large Langar Khana (kitchen) to serve the many poor who visit the Dargah and originally made to be a shelter for visitors.

[11][10][4][30] An extensive graveyard occupies the area behind the tomb, with it being a popular desire among Muslims to be buried near Shah Jalal's remains, though the lots are very expensive.