Faridkot (ਫਰੀਦਕੋਟ)

ਫਰੀਦਕੋਟ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਮੁੱਖ ਕਸਬੇ ਤੋ ਲਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।13ਵੀ ਸਦੀ ਦੇ ਸਮੇਂ ਇਸ ਇਲਾਕੇ ਤੇ ਰਾਜ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਮੋਕਲਸ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਰਾਜਮੰਦ ਦਾ ਪੋਤਾ ਸੀ।ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੇ ਇਸ ਦੀ ਸਥਾਪਨਾ ਕੀਤੀ ਸੀ।ਇੱਥੇ ਇੱਕ ਕਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਬਣਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ । ਇਸ ਕਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੇ ਨਿਰਮਾਣ ਤੇ ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰਾਂ ਪਾਸੋਂ ਕੰਮ ਕਰਨ ਵਾਲੇ ਪੁਰਸ਼ਾ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਇੱਕ ਬਾਬਾ ਫਰੀਦ ਜੀ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਵੀ ਸੀ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਕਾਫੀ ਚਮਤਕਾਰੀ ਤਾਕਤਾਂ ਵੀ ਰੱਖਦੇ ਸਨ।ਇਸ ਤੱਥ ਦੁਆਰਾ ਇਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਚਮਤਕਾਰੀ ਤਾਕਤਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਹੋਰਨਾ ਤਰੀਕਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਦਿਖਾਇਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।ਬਿਨ੍ਹਾ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਸਹਾਰੇ ਤੇ ਉਹਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀ ਮ੍ਰਿਤਕ ਉਪਜਾਊ ਟੋਕਰੀ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੇ ਸਿਰ ਤੇ ਅੱਗੇ ਜਾਰੀ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।

ਇਸ ਲਈ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਉਥੋਂ ਜਾਣ ਦੀ ਇਜ਼ਾਜਤ ਦਿੱਤੀ ਗਈ ਸੀ।ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਬਾਬਾ ਫਰੀਦ ਜੀ ਦੇ ਬਾਅਦ ਇਸ ਜਗ੍ਹਾ ਦਾ ਨਾਮ ਬਦਲਕੇ ਫਰੀਦਕੋਟ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਗਿਆ।ਇਹ ਮੋਕਾਸੀ ਦੇ ਬੇਟੇ ਜੈਰਸੀ ਅਤੇ ਵੇਅਰਸੀ ਦੇ ਸ਼ਾਸਨਕਾਲ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਰਾਜਧਾਨੀ ਬਣਿਆ ਰਿਹਾ ਹੈ।ਪੁਰਾਣੇ ਸਮਿਆਂ ਨਾਲ ਸੰਬੰਧਤ ਫਰੀਦਕੋਟ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦਾ ਇਤਿਹਾਸ ਸਿੰਧ ਘਾਟੀ ਦੀ ਸਭਿਅੱਤਾ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ।ਮੋਗਾ ਤਹਿਸੀਲ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੁਝ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਦੀ ਖੋਜ ਕੀਤੀ ਗਈ ਜਿਸ ਦਾ ਸੰਬੰਧ ਸਿੰਧ ਘਾਟੀ ਸੱਭਿਅਤਾ ਦੀਆਂ ਥਾਵਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਹੈ ਜੋ ਕਿ ਰੂਪਨਗਰ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਵੀ ਪਾਈਆਂ ਗਈਆ ਹਨ।ਫਰੀਦਕੋਟ ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹੇ ਦੇ ਮੌਜੂਦਾ ਖੇਤਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਵਿਸ਼ਾਲ ਖੇਤਰ ਸਿੰਧ ਘਾਟੀ ਦੀ ਸੱਭਿਅਤਾ ਦੇ ਪ੍ਰਭਾਵ ਹੇਠ ਸੀ।

The District derives its name from the headquarters town of Faridkot founded by Mokalsi, grandson of Raja Manj, who ruled this territory during the 13th century and built a fort here. Among the men forced to work as labourers on the construction of this fort was one Baba Farid. He was observed to possess miraculous powers which were demonstrated amongst other ways by the fact that the basket full of mud which he was given to carry floated above his head without visible support.

He was, therefore allowed to depart. The name of the place was changed to Faridkot after Baba Farid. It remained the capital during the reign of Mokalsi’s son Jairsi and Wairsi. The history of the Faridkot District pertaining to the ancient period has been traced to the Indus Valley Civilization. A few sites explored in the Moga Tehsil(Now a separate District) link it with Indus Valley Civilization sites explored in the Rupnagar District. A vast area, including the present area of Faridkot District was under the influence of Indus Valley Civilization.

Faridkot district is in the Malwa region of Punjab. It belongs to Faridkot development block of the Faridkot district. Demographics - Population includes 5933 males and 5267 female residents. Out of the total population of 11200 residents 3971 are registered as scheduled caste. For land use out of the total 5982 hectares 3796 hectares are cultivated by 421 tubewells.

Faridkot Tourism:

1. Tilla Baba Sheikh Farid - The 12th-century Sufi saint Sheikh Farid is said to have meditated here for 40 days, and the Tilla Baba Sheikh Farid is a monument built to mark that spot. The small, white and green domed structure particularly attracts pilgrims on Thursdays.
2. Qila Mubarak - One of the oldest forts of Punjab, the foundation of the Qila Mubarakwas laid as early as the 13th century. Several extensions by subsequent rulers were made and today the fort includes a palace, a treasury, and a well-maintained garden.
3. Rajmahal - An example of the Gothic style of architecture, the Raj Mahal was built during the reign of Maharaja Balbir Singh, at the end of the 19th century. The complex comprises a group of buildings within a vast and irregular-walled enclosure.
4. Gurdwara Guru Ki Dhab - Gurdwara Guru Ki Dhab, also called Gurdwara Patshahi Dasvin(10th) or Doda Taal, is a pious and historical sikh shrine situated in the village GURU KI DHAB (MATA), Teh Kotkapura Distt Faridkot. It is situated on the Kotkapura Jaito Road. When guru ji visited the place he met with a soul of an old martyr who was not liberated and was present in tree during the mment when guru ji was there.During Afternoon, Guru ji was sitting with sangat at this place and at sudden a person came out of tree. The Sangat was stunned but he was looking dashing. That person greeted Guru Sahib to which guru sahib replied "How are you Mian Hussain Khan?". When that person listened his name from pious mouth of Sri Guru Ji, he was delighted and replied that glimpse of guru ji made him very happy and was waiting for him for long time and now he was relaxed as his all sins destroyed. Mian Ussain Khan attained salvation and his soul left the place.Then Sikhs enquired about him to which Guru Sahib replied that he was a martyr but due to some reasons he was not able to attain salvation, But today he acheived it.

   It is mentioned in historical accounts that it was a Sreehn Tree(Sirish, or Albizzia lebbeck Benth) from which that soul came out, it's not present anymore. An octagonal Sarovar(Called Doda Taal) is present, which was blessed. Whosoever will take bath in this Sarovar with heart and soul will be out cycle of life and death and his diseases will also be cured.