Faridkot is a small town in Punjab founded by Bhallan of the Burai Jat (a warrior community) during the 16th-century reign of the Mughal emperor Akbar, even though the history of the Faridkot area has been traced to the Indus Valley Civilization. The ruling family of Faridkot claim descent from Jaisal, founder of the state of Jaisalmer in 1156 AD. His descendant, Kapur, converted to Sikhism and founded the principality of Kot Kapura in 1705. Fragmentation within the family allowed the city to be seized in 1803 by Ranjit Singh, the Sikh ruler of the historic Punjab region, but was subsequently restored to the British by the Treaty of Amritsar in 1809.

The city is named in the honor of Baba Farid, a revered 13th century Sufi saint. Baba Farid, as he is commonly known, has his poetry included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the most sacred scripture of Sikhism, which includes 123 (or 134) hymns composed by Farid. According to legend, Farid stopped by the city, then named Mokhalpur, and sat in seclusion for forty days near the fort of King Mokhal. The king was said to be so impressed by his presence that he named the city after Baba Farid, which today is known as Tilla Baba Farid, in Faridkot. A visit to Faridkot should include a visit to this holy site, and learn more about his life and the miracles people experience even today.