Faridkot district came into existence in August, 1972, carved Tehsil Faridkot from Distt. Bathinda and Tehsil Moga, Muktsar from Distt. Ferozepur. Its name is derived from the district head quarter town Faridkot where a great Sufi Saint Hazarat Baba Farid paid a visit in late 12^th or early 13^th century. Prior to independence large part of the district was under the princely rule of Maharaja of Faridkot and later on became the part of the Pepsu in 1948.

In November,1995 the erstwhile Faridkot district was trifurcated, when two of its subdivisions viz. Muktsar & Moga were accorded the status of full fledged districts, thus reducing its geographically as well as demographically in size, in 1996 Govt. tried to compensate the geographical losses of the district with the setting up 4^th Divisional Headquarters of the state of Punjab at Faridkot and attaching two district viz. Bathinda & Mansa with this new Division.

It is surrounded by district Ferozepur in north-west, Muktsar in south-west and Bathinda in south, Moga in East.

Faridkot :
(Population 1991: 56419.) This town is about 20 km south of Ferozpur and 70 km north of Bathinda. It is connected by metalled roads with Ferozepur, Zira, Kotkapura and via Kotkapura with Moga, Muktsar, Jaitu and Bathinda. It is situated on Bathinda-Ferozepur railway section.

Faridkot is stated to have been founded by Faja Mokalsi some 700 years ago. He named it Mokal Har and built a fort here. Mukalsi was constructing or perhaps carrying out its repairs, when Baba Farid, the Saint was forced to work on its as a labourer. The story goes that it was noticed that the basket full of mud which the Saint was supposed to carry on his head did not rest on the head but kept about a feet higher, thereby giving no burden to the Saint. This miracle brought the Raja to his knees and he begged parden of the Saint.

The people of Faridkot originally used to live in the fort, but in 1873, a town was laid out beyond its walls and the people were settled there. In 1885, bazars, were built on an improved plan and town assumed a fine look. The succeeding rulers made improvements and additions more or less in a planned way so that the town today presents the appearance of a planned town. The fort and the dera of Baba Farid located just near the fort are the main places of historical importance in the town. The Saint is held in high esteem by all residents and they pay respect at the dera every Thursday. A big fair is held here on 23^rd september every year which is supposed to be the birthday of the Saint.