Birbal - The Witty and The Wise Man

The well-known historical figure Birbal was born as Mahesh Das in 1582 into a very impoverished Brahman family in Trivikrampur, a town on the Yamuna River's banks. As one of Akbar's nine gems, Birbal most likely had a bigger impact on the emperor than Abul Fazl. While it is true that he was not well educated, he had a remarkable sense of wit and humour. He was a master of repartee, storytelling, and conversation. He was a well-known poet. There are numerous tales and anecdotes ascribed to him. He was bestowed with the title of Kavirai, which means Hindi poet laureate.In addition, he received the Mansab of 2,000 rank.

Birbal was a great favourite of King Akbar. A specific courtier was envious of this. This courtier had long aspired to be chief minister, but Birbal already held that office, thus it was not feasible. Akbar once complimented Birbal in front of the courtier. The courtier became quite irate over this and declared that Birbal had been unfairly commended by the monarch. He also said that he would acknowledge Birbal's intelligence if Birbal could respond to three of his questions. Akbar quickly consented, always eager to put Birbal's intellect to the test.

The three questions were:-

1. How many stars are there in the sky

2. Where is the centre of the Earth and

3. How many men and how many women are there in the world.

Akbar immediately posed the three questions to Birbal and threatened to remove him from office as chief minister if he was unable to provide an answer.

Birbal responded, "There are as many stars in the sky as there is hair on the sheep's body," in response to the first question, bringing a hairy sheep along. If he so chooses, my friend the courtier is free to count them.

In response to the second query, Birbal responded, "This is the centre of the Earth; the courtier may measure it himself if he has any doubts." He also drew a few lines on the ground and inserted an iron rod into them.

"Counting the exact number of men and women in the world would be a problem as there are some specimens like our courtier friend here who cannot easily be classified as either," Birbal said to the third query. Therefore, the only way to determine the precise number is if everyone who is similar to him is slain.

Moral: There is Always a Way

In addition to being the sole Hindu, it is said that Birbal was one of the few people who followed it outside of Akbar.Despite being fourteen years older than Akbar, he remained close with him; Birbal was frequently referred to as the most brilliant of the nine ratnas.He worked for Hindu Rajas on a number of missions to their courts. He was sent to combat the Yusuf Zais, but in the process of doing so, he was slain in 1586.

It's believed that Akbar was devastated to learn of his passing. "The deaths of devoted servants and especially the passing of Raja Birbal, his spiritual companion, greatly infuriated him (Akbar), and his heart turned away from everything," writes Abul Fazal. He skipped his usual two days and nights of eating and drinking." According to Budayuni, "Akbar never experienced such grief at the death of any Amir as he did at that of Birbal" . Akbar utilised the phrase: "Alas! that they could not bring his body out of that defile, that it might have been committed to the flames." For what he considered to be their betrayal of Birbal, Akbar denounced Hakim Abul Fateh and Zain Khan.

The House of Birbal in Fatehpur Sikri

The only significant Hindu to join the Din-i-Illahi was Birbal. Because he was a sun worshipper, Akbar most likely regarded the sun with a great deal of veneration. It is indisputable that Birbal had a significant positive impact on Akbar's life and philosophy, favouring Hinduism. Birbal was renowned for his magnanimity and was known to give poets large sums of money.