Qila Mubarak (Faridkot Fort)

Qila Mubarak, also known as Faridkot Fort, is a historic fort located in the heart of Faridkot city in Punjab, India. Originally built by Raja Mokalsi and later rebuilt and expanded by the Brar rulers of Faridkot State, it served as the royal residence and administrative center. The fort complex includes the royal palace, Sheesh Mahal and Darbar Hall, reflecting Mughal and Rajasthani architectural influences and the heritage of the Faridkot princely state.

Visitors can expect a historic fortified complex in central Faridkot housing the former royal palace structures, including Sheesh Mahal and Darbar Hall. The exterior shows massive brick walls, bastions and gateways, while the interior contains courtyards, halls and administrative buildings. Access to some sections may be restricted as parts of the complex house government offices and the former royal residence. The surroundings are urban, with markets and streets of the old city nearby.

Qila Mubarak is associated with the foundation of Faridkot, traditionally linked to Raja Mokalsi, a Bhatti Rajput chief and grandson of Rai Munj, who built an early fort at the site. The town is named after Baba Farid, the Sufi saint who visited the area. The fort was later rebuilt and expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries by the Brar Jat rulers who established Faridkot State, including Maharaja Hamir Singh and his successors, and served as the seat of the princely state until integration into Punjab.

The fort is a symbol of Faridkot's princely heritage and its connection to Baba Farid, an important figure in Punjabi cultural history. The complex, including Raj Mahal and Sheesh Mahal, reflects the courtly culture of the former Faridkot State and is a landmark for local heritage, festivals and historical identity of the Malwa region of Punjab.