Fariduddin Ganjshakar

Fariduddin Ganjshakar

Farīduddīn Mas'ūd Ganjshakar (Punjabi: ਹਜ਼ਰਤ ਬਾਬਾ ਫ਼ਰੀਦੁਦ੍ਦੀਨ ਮਸੂਦ ਗੰਜਸ਼ਕਰ, حضرت بابا فرید الدّین مسعود گنج شکر ) (1173–1266) or (1188 (584 Hijri) - May 7, 1280 (679 Hijri)), commonly known as Baba Farid (Punjabi: بابا فرید, ਬਾਬਾ ਫ਼ਰੀਦ ), was a 12th-century Sufi preacher and saint of the Chishti Order of South Asia.

Fariduddin Ganjshakar is generally recognized as the first major poet of the Punjabi language, and is considered one of the pivotal saints of the Punjab region. Revered by Muslims and Hindus, he is considered one of the fifteen Sikh bhagats, and selections from his work are included in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh sacred scripture. He is buried in Pakpattan, in present-day Punjab, Pakistan.