This study critically analyzes the marginalization and displacement of the Patro community in Sylhet, Bangladesh through the lenses of political economy and post colonial theory of legacy. The Patro community is a small ethnic group with a distinct historical background and lifestyle, considered as the earliest settlers in the Sylhet region. Through direct and indirect processes of urbanization and industrialization, minority groups like‘Patro’ are continuously subjected to displacement, deprivation, and cultural encounters. To conduct this study, a qualitative research approach was employed, including in-depth interviews and observations to analyze the experiences of Patro community members. The findings reveal that the rapid urbanization has led to the marginalization of the Patro community in terms of access to basic resources, including land, water, and other public services, displacement from their original lands, loss of economic opportunities along with the loss of their traditional livelihoods, cultural identity, and social cohesion. The rapid industrialization and expansion of the city have significantly altered the Patro village, resulting in changes to their economy and new social and political pressures. This displacement and marginalization are also connected to the historical legacies of colonialism in Bangladesh, as well as, the ongoing process of globalization and neoliberalism.
