The Phulkian dynasty (or Phoolkian) of Maharajas or sardars were Sikh Jat royals and aristocrats in the Punjab region of India. Members of the dynasty ruled the Phulkian states of Badrukhan, Bhadaur, Faridkot, Jind, Malaudh, Nabha, and Patiala, allying themselves with the British Empire according to the terms of the Cis-Sutlej treaty of 1809. The dynasty is named after Phul Sidhu-Brar, the 17th-century common ancestor of the Phulkian states and the founder of the Phulkian Misl. After India's independence in 1947, the Phulkian states had all acceded to India by 1948. Members of the various royal families of the Phulkian dynasty retained their titles until 1971, when the Government of India abolished their titles with the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of India.

Descendants of Rao Bhati, including members of the former and historical Phulkian dynasty, claimed to be direct descendants of Yadu, a mythological Hindu monarch from whom Bhati claimed descent. Yadu was the founder of the mythological Yadu dynasty, a branch of the legendary Lunar dynasty (IAST: Candravaṃśa), according to Hindu mythology.

Members of the Phulkian dynasty claimed descent from Hem, a younger son of Rawal Jaisal Singh, the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Jaisalmer (r. 1156–1168), who migrated to the present-day Malwa region in Punjab. The dynasty further traces its lineage to Rao Bhati, a 3rd-century Hindu monarch.

The rulers of the Phulkian states shared a common ancestor, the 17th-century Chaudhary Phul Sidhu-Brar, also known as Baba Phul (1627–1689). Baba Phul was the grandson of a Sikh of Guru Hargobind named Mohan. Mohan founded the settlement of Mehraj in 1627, named after his great-grandfather, Mehraj. In 1631, it is claimed that Mohan once sought the assistance of the sixth Sikh guru against hostile neighbours, who provided military help in the form of 500-men. Another tale connects Phul to the Sikh gurus: it is said that Phul and his brother Sandli were once blessed by Guru Har Rai after being presented to the guru as two starving orphans by their uncle Kala. Sikhs believe the blessing of Guru Har Rai bestowed on the young Phul allowed his descendants to found dynasties and become prosperous rulers.

Baba Phul was the founder of the Phulkian Misl, which was named after him. He lived through the times of Guru Hargobind, the sixth Guru of the Sikh religion as well as Guru Har Rai, the seventh Guru. According to historical accounts, Phul had received blessings from both Guru Hargobind and Guru Har Rai. Eventually, Phul received the official designation of Chaudari from the Mughals and became a tributary sardar of them. Through his eldest son, Tiloka, Phul is the ancestor of the rulers of Nabha, Jind and Badrukhan. Through his second son, Rama, Phul is the ancestor of the rulers of Patiala, Malaudh and Bhadaur.

The Phulkian Misl was a Sikh Misl founded by Choudhary Phul Sidhu-Brar, also known as Baba Phul or Phul Singh, and named after him. It was established by Jats. A claimed descendant of the Bhati Rajputs, Phul was a direct descendant of Rawal Jaisal Singh, the founder and first ruler of the Kingdom of Jaisalmer. Phul's descendants became the royal families of the Phulkian dynasty states, which included the states of Patiala, Nabha, and Jind. Historians have disputed whether the Phulkian Misl was ever a true Sikh Misl, as its practices and policies were more centralized and akin to a petty kingdom than those of a true Sikh Misl.

The misl originated from Phul in Malwa. The Phulkians held territory in southern Malwa. The Phulkian Misl controlled areas between Sirhind and Delhi, forming the Sikh kingdoms of Patiala, Nabha, Jind, and Kaithal.

Some historians, such as Kirpal Singh, claim the Phulkians were never truly a "Misl" at all. Historian Surjit Singh Gandhi also claimed that the Phulkian Misl was never a true Misl because they shared almost no common practices with the other Sikh Misls, and the administrative nature of the Phulkian Misl's political state varied considerably from that of the other Misls.