History of Baba Sheikh Farid Ji
Baba Farid was born in the month of Ramzan in 1173 CE at Kothewal village, Punjab (now in Pakistan). Early in his life the title of ‘Shakar Ganj’ (treasury of Sugar) was added to his name; there is a legend behind this. As a young boy Baba Farid was asked to offer daily prayers by his mother. On asking about what he’d get after saying his prayers, Baba Farid’s mother replied that she will give him sugar once he’s done. Baba Farid’s mother used to hide sugar under his prayer mat and after the completion of his prayers; she used to give him that sugar as a reward. One day Baba Farid’s mother forgot to keep sugar under the carpet, but to her surprise after his prayers she found the sugar under the prayer mat. Since that day she started calling her son ‘Shakar Ganj’.
ਫਰੀਦਾ ਜੇ ਮੈ ਹੋਦਾ ਵਾਰਿਆ ਮਿਤਾ ਆਇੜਿਆਂ ॥ ਹੇੜਾ ਜਲੈ ਮਜੀਠ ਜਿਉ ਉਪਰਿ ਅੰਗਾਰਾ ॥੨੨॥
Farid, if I hide things from my friends. Body burns as like a coloring vat on fire.
Genealogy of Baba Sheikh Farid ji is given in the Jawahi-r-Faridi (The gems of Farid), preserved at the shrine of Pak Pattan, by Ali Asghar of Bahadal, a town near Sarhind. Baba Sheikh Farid ji descended from Farrukh Shah, who was king of Kabul and kings of Ghazni and other states were subject to him. Baba Farid’s Great Grandfather was son of Farrukh Shah, the emperor of Kabul. During that time, Baba Farid’s Great Grandfather was killed when Halaku, the grandson of Chengez Khan invaded Kabul, he killed several princes and learned men, including several of Baba Farid’s ancestors. Baba Farid’s Grandfather Shaikh Shaib abandoned their country and took refuge in the Panjab in A.D. 1125. The Qazi of Kasur who was acquainted with the high position Shaikh Shaib had held there, treated him and his relatives with great respect and hospitality. After some time Shaikh Shaib proceeded to Multan where he deemed he should be less exposed to worldly influences or the temptings of ambition. He took his abode in Kothiwal, now known as Chawali Mushaikh, close to Dipalpur. He established in Kothiwal a private college for religious instruction and attracted much attention. His eldest son Jamal-ud-din married Bibi Miriam, daughter of Saiyid Muhammad Abdula Shah – a descendant of Ali. Bibi Miriam had three sons, Khwaja Aziz-ul-din, Farid-ul- Din Masaud (Baba Farid) and Khwaja Najib-ul-din, and one daughter Khatun Jamila.
ਬੁਢਾ ਹੋਆ ਸੇਖ ਫਰੀਦੁ ਕੰਬਣਿ ਲਗੀ ਦੇਹ ॥ ਜੇ ਸਉ ਵਰ੍ਹ੍ਹਿਆ ਜੀਵਣਾ ਭੀ ਤਨੁ ਹੋਸੀ ਖੇਹ ॥੪੧॥
Sheikh Farid has become old, the body started to tremble. If were to live hundred years, still body becomes dust.
Present day Faridkot (Punjab), got its name from Baba Farid. It is said that Baba Farid stopped by the city known as Mokhalpur and sat in isolation for forty days near the fort of King Mokhal. The king got impressed by this divine person and named the city after him. The place where Baba Farid sat is known as Tila Baba Farid. To remember his arrival in the city, each year a three days festival known as Bābā Sheikh Farād Āgman Purb Melā’ is celebrated from 21st Sep to 23rd Sep.
Baba Farid died of Pneumonia in 1266 CE, the fifth day of the month of Muharram. He was buried outside the town of Pak Pattan. Pak Pattan was created by him as a place of great Sufi thoughts. The place where he was buried is known as Martyr’s Grave. His successors are known as Chistis. It won’t be wrong to call him the founder of Punjabi literary tradition and modern Punjabi culture.