Faridkot

The District derives its name from the headquarters town of Faridkot founded by Mokalsi, grandson of Raja Manj, who ruled this territory during the 13 th century and built a fort here. Among the men forced to work as labourers on the constructiopn 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 wirhout 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.

Faridkot District was part of the then Ferozepur Division but in the year 1996, Faridkot Division has been established with a Divisional headquarter at Faridkot which includes Faridkot, Bathinda and Mansa districts. It is situated between 29 degree 54 feet to 30 degree 54 feet north latitude and 74 degree 15 feet to 75 degree 25 feet east longitude. It lies in south west of the state and is surrounded by Ferozepur District in the north west, Moga and Ludhiana Districts in the north east and districts of Bathinda and Sangrur in the south

Excursion

Qilla Mubarak
The fort with its impressive architecture still adorns the city of Faridkot. Its foundation is believed to have been laid by Raja mokalsi, Raka Hamir Singh renovated it and got it extended. Later ruler like Raja Bikram Singh. Raja Balbir singh got constructed many new buildings. It housed the royal Place. Tosha Khana, Modi Khana & Treasury Buildings. There is a garden within the four walls of the fort. All the buildings are very well build and well furnished.

Raj Mahal
‘Raj Mahal’ (royal Palace) was built during the reign of Maharaja Bikrama Singh during 1885-1889 under supervision of the, then Crown Prince (Later Maharaja) Balbir Singh, who incidentally was the first to move in and start living in it. Spread over nearly 15 acres, it presented a magnificent look with French design, dominating grassy lawns a mid semi desert area of the State. Its entrance called “Raj Deori” – itself is a heritage building of a vintage and now houses Balbir Hospital.

Darbar Ganj
This beautiful bungalow is a well laid out garden place. All the rooms are finished in the most modern style. The guests from the sisterly states used Darbar Gang for stay. The building has now been converted into Circuit House.

Rajsthan and Sirhind Canals
Rajasthan Canal and Sirhind Feeder passes near the Faridkot town. Rajasthan canal was constructed during the year,1962 to carry the additional water from Sutluj and Beas river at Hari Ke Pattan to dry areas of Punjab

Gurdwara Tibbi Sahib
Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji is said to have visited Jaitu on 15th April, 1706. Here Guru Ji stayed at a Sand Dune (Tibba) near village Jaitu and practiced arrows shooting with other sikhs. People congregate here on 10th Phagun every year in memory of the sikhs who scarified their lives during Jaitu Morcha and this is known as Shaheedi Jor Mela.

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Getting There
Headquarter of the district administration, lies on the Firozepur-Bathinda-Delhi Railway line. It is also connected by road with Chandigarh (218 km), Firozepur (32 km),Muktsar (45 km) and Bathinda (65 km). Faridkot, Kot Kapura and Jaitu Towns are linked by railway stations as well as by road.

Weather
It is located on the Punjab Plain which in a macro regional context forms a part of great Satluj Ganga plain. It is a low lying flat area. The surface of the district is depositional plain which was formed by alleviation by the rivers in the remote past. No river is flowing through the district, butthere are some drains which flow during heavy rains and serve as natural drainage.

The climate of the Faridkot District is mainly dry, characterized by a very hot summer, a short rainy season and a bracing winter. The year may be divided into four seasons. The cold season is from November to March. This is followed by the summer season which lasts up to about the end of June. The period from July to the middle of September constitutes the southwest monsoon season. The later half of September and October is the post-monsoon or transition period. There is no meteorological observatory in the district. The Temperatures increase ra.pidly beginning with the end of March till June, which is generally the hottest month, with the mean daily minimum temperature about 41 degree celtius and the mean daily minimum about 26.5 degree celtius.

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