Barnala (Punjabi:ਬਰਨਾਲਾ) is one of the districts of Indian state of Punjab. Earlier Barnala was part of Sangrur district, but now Barnala is a separate district.

It is a centrally located district bordered by Ludhiana district on the north, Moga district on northwest, Bathinda district on west and by Sangrur district on all other sides.

As of 2011 it is the least populous district of Punjab (out of 22).

Sectoral development is looked after by the district head of each development department such as PWD, Agriculture, Health, Education and Animal husbandry. These officers belong to various State Services.

According to the 2011 census Barnala district has a population of 596,294 , roughly equal to the nation of Solomon Islands or the US state of Wyoming. This gives it a ranking of 527th in India (out of a total of 640). The district has a population density of 419 inhabitants per square kilometre (1,090 /sq mi) . Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 13.16 %. Barnala has a sex ratio of 876 females for every 1000 males, and a literacy rate of 68.9 %.

Barnala(Punjabi:ਬਰਨਾਲਾ) is an Indian city in the Punjab state of India which serves as the head quarters of the Barnala district. It is situated in the heart of the state. Barnala is well known for textile market in the area.

The common prevalent details reveal that this place was a village named Anahatgarh. In neighboring village Bhadalwadh Rungarh Muslims used to live who indulged in cattle-stealing and plundering acts in surrounding villages grazing cattle in their crops. Following tormentation by Rungarh Muslims, people of Anahadgarh went to Bhadaur for help. Baba Gama was known for his might. When people went to Bhadaur at that time, Baba Gama was not there in his house but his brother Baba Ala Singh came along with them and he forced all Rungarh Muslims to run and started living there planting a tree (it being a Dera at that time marking foundation of a village).

Eminent Sikh historian Giani has recorded the details of setting up of Barnala in the annals of Khalsa in this manner that in the year 1775 Baba Ala Singh after offering Bhadaur (set up by King Padhar Sain) to his brother Duna Singh came to Barnala region which was lying aloof at that time. Setting it up, he made it his capital and took under his control surrounding villages. It too appears that Anahadgarh may be existing before and must have been deserted following attacks of Dharvis.