STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.

com

History of Birbal

Birbal was an advisor in the court of Akbar and is very popular for his sharp intellect and
sense of humor. The stories of Birbal are very popular among kids and adults alike and
form an indispensable part in Indian folk lore.

Birbal (1528-1583) is surely one of the most popular figures in Indian history equally
regarded by adults and children. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly
administrative and military but he was a very close friend of Akbar too, because Akbar
loved his wisdom, wit, and subtle humor. He was a minister in the administration of
Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the members of inner council of nine advisors. He was
a poet and an author too.

It is believed that he was a son of poor Brahman of Trivikrampur (now known as

Tikavanpur) on the banks of River Yamuna. According to a popular legend he died on
an expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a large military force due to treachery. It is
also said that when Birbal died, Akbar mourned him for several months.

The exchanges between Akbar and Birbal have been recorded in many volumes. Many
of these have become folk stories in Indian tradition. Birbal's collection of poetry
published under the pen name "Brahm" are preserved in Bharatpur Museum, Rajasthan,
India.

When one hears of Birbal the next name that comes to mind is Akbar. The two were
very close and had a great rapport and friendship between them. Birbal was also known
as Raja Birbal and amusingly both were titles conferred to him and were not his real
name.

Birbal's real name was Maheshdas Bhatt and he was born in the city of Trivikrampur or
Tiwkapur in 1528 to Brahmin couple Gangadas and Anabhadevi. His grandfather
Rupdhar was a great Sanskrit scholar and resided in Patrapunj. Maheshdas was the
third child and at a very young age lost his father Gangadas. His mother sent him to her
father Rupdhar at Patrapunj.

Maheshdas's grandfather Rupdhar started his education at age of 5 and taught him
Sanskrit, Hindi and Persian (the state language). Then according to the family tradition
he learned music and poetry. Soon he was writing his own poems and setting them to
tunes and singing them in his sweet voice. He became famous as the poet-musician-
singer. He also had a great wit and humor. His witty conversation made a mark on
anyone he met.

Kings in those days were great patronizes of art. They gave royal positions to writers,
poets, musicians, sculptors and other artists. When Bhagawandas, the king of Jaipur
heard about Maheshdas, he invited him with great honor. Maheshdas sang his own
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composition in the court. He was writing under the pseudonym “Brahmakavi”. Soon his
real name was forgotten.

From the court of Jaipur, Maheshdas went to the court of Raja Ram Chandra of Rewa.
Raja Ram Chandra was great lover of art and Maheshdas and the famous singer
Tansen were amongst his courtiers. Because of his accomplishments Maheshdas was
able to marry a girl from a well known family in Kalinjar. By marriage, he was financially
settled.

The fame of Maheshdas and Tansen reached the ears of Akbar and he invited the two
to his court. They soon became part of the nine gems at the court of Akbar.

So Maheshdas became Brahmakavi but how did he become Birbal?

Maheshdas was not only an accomplished musician but was an expert at the art of
warfare which was proven by taking part in the expedition of Sultanpur at Punjab.
Emperor was so pleased that he conferred him with the title Veervar and the Jagir of
Nagarkoth. Emperor Akbar was very fond of bestowing titles based on Hindu cultural
system, history and mythology like Kaviraj, Mahapatra or Jagatguru. The title Birbar or
Birbal conferred on Maheshdas became so popular that it replaced his real name. He
himself preferred this name used it sometimes in his verses. Akbar is said to have
borrowed this name from 'Vetal Panchvishanti' or the 'betal pachisi' the twenty five tales
of Vikram and Vetal. In the third story a man named Veervar offers his services to the
king and fully earns the high pay allowance by showing extraordinary proof of his loyalty
and devotion. The title Veervar was transformed into Birbal on the basis of Sanskrit rules
according to which when two r sounds occur in close proximity the later is pronounced
as L.

Birbal entered the court of Akbar in 1556 and worked with him for 30 years. Birbal rose
to a very high position in the court with his wit, wisdom and humorous nature. He
became one of the closest and trusted ministers of Akbar. Because pof his enviable
positions many legends surround him. It is wise to enjoy the wit, humor and wisdom
contained in them instead of validating the truthfulness of them.

Birbal's participation in many important expeditions proves he was a rare combination of

a man with a pen and the sword. Akbar took him on expeditions to Bengal, Bihar and
Orissa. Because of his high position and influence with the emperor, he was envied by
many and had many enemies amongst the courtiers. One of them was Zain Khan.

The northwest frontier of India was always of security concern to all the rulers of India.
The Yusufzai and Mandar Afgan tribes living on the border, with their restless ways and
abhorrence for any authority, led constant marauding attacks. Akbar had sent Zain
Khjan to deal with the frontier problem. The Yusufzais pretended defeat and then came
back with renewed fight. The Emperor then sent Shaikh Farid, Shaikh Faizi, and Sher
Khwaja Fataullah with more reinforcements to no avail. The tribes had the home ground
advantage in a huge area 40 miles by 60 miles.

At last, Akbar sent Birbal to help Zain Khan who misled him to enter a narrow pass at
night. The Afghans were well prepared and were ready on the hills. They were trapped
in the narrow alley. Many men lost their way or were killed on the holes and the caverns.
It was a terrible defeat called in the history as the Yusufzai disaster, in which Birbal,
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along with his entire army perished. Birbal fought with bravery and lost his life in the
service of Akbar on 16 Feb 1583.

When Akbar heard the death of his dear friend he was profoundly shocked and did not
eat food or water nor attended his court for two full days. It is very notable that this was
one of the only 5 times that Akbar did not attend his royal court during his reign.

Akabar's genuine love and friendship for Birbal is attested by two incidents. Akbar was
very fond of chowgan (modern day polo). During one such game, Birbal fell off his horse
and was knocked unconscious. Akbar got down from his own horse and personally
brought Birbal back to consciousness.

Another time, when Akbar was watching the fight between two wild elephants, one of the
elephants went to attack a servant standing nearby. Halfway, the elephant changed his
mind and ran after Birbal. He was about to strike Birbal when Akbar with the intention of
saving his friend brought his own horse between the elephant and Birbal. The spectators
were aghast and a cry went into the air. The elephant stood still overcome by the
majestic courage. Akbar's uncommon venture was a great feat and there could be no
greater test of his sincerity, love and friendship for Birbal.

Shown below is a list of Birbal's Stories:

1. Akbar’s Meeting with Birbal

Akbar loved hunting and used to escape to go for hunting even from
his studies. Well, later he became a better rider and hunter than any
one of his courtiers. One day when Akbar went for hunting, he and his
some of the courtiers went so fast that they left the others behind. As
the evening fell, everybody got very hungry and thirsty, they found
that they had lost their way and now did not know where to go.

At last they came to a junction of three roads. King was very happy to
see the roads that now he could go reach his capital through one of
these roads, but which road was to go to his capital - Agra. They were
all thinking about it and could not decide it. In the mean time they
saw a young boy coming along one road. The boy was summoned and
Akbar asked him, "Hey young boy! Which road goes to Agra?" The
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boy smiled and spoke, "Huzoor! Everybody knows that road cannot
move so how these roads can go to Agra or anywhere else?" and
laughed at his own joke.

Everybody was silent, didn't say a word. The boy said again, "People
travel, not the roads. Do they?" Emperor laughed at this and said,
"No, you are right." The Emperor asked again, "What is your name,
young boy?" "Mahesh Das" The boy replied and asked the Emperor,
"And who are you Huzoor? What is your name?" The Emperor took
out his Ring and gave it to the boy. "You are talking to Emperor Akbar
- the King of Hindustan (India). We need fearless people like you. You
come to the court; with this Ring I will recognize you immediately.
Now tell me the way to get to Agra. We have to reach there soon?"

Mahesh Das bowing lowly pointed towards the road going to Agra,
and the King headed on that road.

That is how the Emperor Akbar met the future Birbal.

2. Birbal's meeting with Akbar

There was a boy named Mahesh Das. When he grew up as a fine

young man, he took all his savings, along with the Ring of Seal of the
Emperor Akbar, which he received from the Emperor himself some
time ago, bade his mother farewell, and set out to the new capital of
India - Fatehpur Sikri.

He was very much enchanted with the pomp and show of the new
capital. He escaped the crowd and headed towards the red walls of
the palace. The palace gate was very richly ornamented - a very
beautiful gate as he had never seen before. Mahesh wanted to enter
the gate, but the guard slashed the air with his spear and stopped him
from entering the gate.
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"Where do you think, you are going?" asked the guard. Said Maesh
politely, "Sir, I have come to see the King." "Oh! yeah, the King must
be waiting for you, as when you would come?" the guard said
sarcastically. Mahesh smiled at this comment and spoke "Yes, Sir,
and now I am here." Mahesh told further,” I am sure you must have
fought wonderfully well on the Emperor's frontiers, but do not risk
your life by stopping me from entering the palace."

The guard kept quiet for a moment, and then said courageously,
"Why do you think so? I will chop off your head, if you do not stop
talking nonsense." Mahesh was not going to accept his defeat. He
showed Akbar's Ring of Seal to the guard.

Now who was the person who did not recognize Akbar's Ring of Seal?
Having seen the seal, the guard couldn't say a word. He had to admit
him, although he was not willing to do it. So the guard thought and
thought, then he said to Mahesh, "You can go in on one condition."
"What?” Mahesh asked. The guard said, "Whatever you will get from
the Emperor, you will share with me half of that.”Agreed," Mahesh
smiled and the guard let him go inside.

He went on and on, finally he could see the golden throne on which a
man of simple elegance was sitting. He quickly recognized him as the
Emperor Akbar. Pushing everyone aside, Mahesh went further and
prostrated himself before the Emperor Akbar, and said, "May your
shadow always grow, O Full Moon."

Akbar smiled and asked him, "What do you want. O young man?"
Mahesh rose to his feet and spoke, "Sir, I have come here at your
command." And he handed over the Ring of Seal, which was given to
him by the King so many years before.

"That's a good boy, now what do you want? What is your heart's
desire? Tell me, I will try my best to fulfill it." Mahesh remembered
his promise with the guard, so he asked the Emperor to punish him
with one hundred slashes. The King was surprised to hear that, "But
how can I do this to you, you have done nothing wrong." Mahesh said
politely, "Sir, please do not go back from your promise of fulfilling my
heart's desire."
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So with great reluctance and perplexed mind, Akbar ordered one

hundred lashes on Mahesh's back. To the surprise of all, Mahesh
endured every stroke without uttering a word.

After the fiftieth whip, he suddenly shouted, "Stop now." Akbar asked,
"Why? What happened?" Mahesh said, "Sir when I was coming here,
your guard did not allow me to come inside the palace, unless I
promised him to give half of my share of whatever I will get from you.
I have taken half of my share, now it is your guard's turn to take his
share of half." Everybody busted into the laughter.

The guard was hauled to receive his humiliating bribe. The King said,
"You are as brave as you were when you were a child. You have grown
into a cleverer young man. I was trying to weed out the corrupted
people from my court, but your little trick has done what I wouldn't
have done even after passing several laws. From now on, on the basis
of your wisdom, you shall be called "Birbal" and you will stay by my
side as my advisor."

That is how Birbal was born.

3-----Question for a Question

One day Akbar asked Birbal, "Birbal, can you tell me how many
bangles are on your wife's hand?" Birbal said, "No, Huzoor, I
cannot." "You cannot? Although everyday you see her hand, still you
cannot tell how many bangles are on her hand? How is that?" said
Akbar.

Birbal said, "Let's go to the garden, Your Majesty. And I will tell you
"How are that"." And they both went to the garden. They both went
down a small staircase which led to the garden. After reaching in the
garden Birbal asked, "You daily climb up and down this small
staircase, could you tell how many steps it has?"
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Akbar smiled and then changed the subject

4-------Who is the Donkey?

Once Akbar went to the river with his two sons and wise Minister
Birbal. On the bank of the river, Akbar and his two sons took off their
clothes and asked Birbal to take care of them while they took bath in
the river.

Birbal was waiting for them to come out of the river. All the clothes
were on his shoulder. Looking at Birbal standing like this, Akbar felt
like teasing him, so he said to him, "Birbal, you look like as if you are
carrying a washer man’s donkey load."

Birbal quickly retorted, "Sir, Waterman’s donkey carries only one

donkey's load, I am carrying three donkey's load." Akbar was
speechless.

5--------Why is the Camel's neck crooked?

Akbar was very impressed with Birbal's wit and wisdom. So one day
Akbar promised him for many gifts. But it so happened that several
days passed, but there was no sign of gift. Birbal was very
disappointed. He didn't know what to do? One day when Akbar was
taking a stroll at the bank of Yamunaa with his dear minister Birbal,
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he happened to notice a camel. He asked Birbal, "Tell me Birbal, why

the camel's neck is crooked."

Birbal thought this is good time, so he thought for a moment and

spoke, "Your Majesty, it might be possible that the camel has
forgotten to honor his promise made to somebody that is why his
neck is crooked. Scriptures mention that whoever will forget their
promises will have crooked neck. So this might seem the reason of his
crooked neck."

Akbar soon realized that he promised to give some gifts to Birbal, but
has not yet done so. As soon as they arrived at the palace, the King
gave him his reward.

So Birbal was so wise that he got what he wanted without asking for
it.

6--------Birbal visit to Heaven?

Because Birbal was very wise and witty, the Emperor's courtiers and
other people used to be jealous with him and used to find some way to
degrade him.

One day the court barber, who was very jealous with Birbal, plotted a
plan against him. So when the King called him again to trim his
beard, he went and started trimming his beard. He said, "Sir, last
night I dreamed about your father." The King got interested, so he
asked, "What did he say to you?"

"Sir, he said to me, that everything is good in paradise, but he feels a

great absence of a good humorous man who can amuse him." The
King thought and thought, but nobody else he could think of except
Birbal who could perform this kind of duty very well. And, naturally,
the only way to go to heaven was through death. For a moment, Akbar
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was very sad to lose such a good man, but thinking of his father, he
made up his mind.

He summoned Birbal and said, "I think Birbal you love me very much
and you can sacrifice anything for me." Birbal tried to understand his
point but couldn't guess. He said, "You know Majesty, I do." "Then
Birbal, please go to heaven to give company to my dear father." Birbal
understood that this was a wicked plan of somebody to kill him. He
said to Emperor politely, "I will do so, but I need a few days to
prepare myself to go to heaven." The King said, "Certainly. You are
giving me such a great favor, I allow you one week to prepare
yourself."

Now Birbal was worried. He thought, somebody has planned very

well and he could not escape from this plan. He thought and thought.
And then he found a way. He dug a ditch near his house which would
serve as his grave, and dug a tunnel too which would open in a room
of his house. After doing this, he returned to the Imperial Court. He
said, " I am ready, His Majesty, but there two conditions." Akbar was
so happy to hear this that he forgot that Birbal could put some odd
conditions to him. He asked, "What are those conditions? Tell me
soon. I will try to fulfill them so that you can go to heaven to be with
my dear father."

Birbal said, "His majesty, I wish to be buried near my house. And I

want to be buried alive so that I can reach heaven alive to amuse your
dear father." The King found this logical and agreed up on them
immediately.

So Birbal was buried alive near his house. Of course he made his way
to his house where he lived in confinement for six months. After six
months, he came out of hiding with grown beard and shabby hair and
asked the permission to appear in the Royal Court.

Looking at him Akbar cried, "Where have you been Birbal?" Birbal
said, "Your Majesty, I was in Heaven with your dear father. I had a
very good time there with your father. He was so happy with my
services that he gave me special permission to return to Earth." Akbar
was very anxious to know about his father, he asked, "Did he send any
message for me?" Birbal said, "Yes Your Majesty, he said that very few
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barber can make it to go to Heaven, you can make out this from my
grown beard and shabby hair, so he has asked to send your own
barber to him immediately.

Akbar understood everything. He gave Birbal a big prize, and his

barber the life sentence.

7----------Birbal caught the Thief?

It so happened that once a rich merchant's house was robbed. The

merchant suspected that the thief was one of his servants. So he went
to Birbal and mentioned the incident. Birbal went to his house and
assembled all of his servants and asked that who stole the merchant's
things. Everybody denied.

Birbal thought for a moment, then gave a stick of equal length to all
the servants of the merchant and said to them that the stick of the
real thief will be longer by two inches tomorrow. All the servants
should be present here again tomorrow with heir sticks.

All the servants went to their homes and gathered again at the same
place the next day. Birbal asked them to show him their sticks. One of
the servants had his stick shorter by two inches. Birbal said, "This is
your thief, merchant."
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Later the merchant asked Birbal, "How did you catch him?" Birbal
said, "The thief had already cut his stick short by two inches in the
night fearing that his stick will be longer by two inches by morning."

8------I am your servant, Huzoor?

Once Akbar and Birbal passed through some farms while riding on
their horses. They happened to pass through a cabbage patch.
Looking at the patch, Akbar said to Birbal, "What a delightful
vegetable the cabbage is. I like it very much." Birbal said, "Huzoor,
cabbage is the king of the vegetables." Akbar did not reply to this, and
they went on.

Another day, they were riding past the same cabbage patches again.
This time Akbar made a face, and said, "This cabbage is such a
tasteless vegetable. How people tolerate it." Birbal replied, “Yes
Huzoor, really it is difficult to even look at such a tasteless vegetable."
Akbar again listened to this and they went on.

After a while the king remembered something. He said to Birbal,

"Birbal, I don't understand you. Last time when we passed through
this patch, you told that the cabbage was the king of vegetable, and
today you said that "It is even difficult to look at such a tasteless
vegetable. What do you mean by that?"

Birbal said bowing, "Huzoor, I am your servant, not of cabbage."

9----------How many crows in the kingdom?

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One day Akbar was strolling in his palace gardens with his dear
minister Birbal. Many crows were flying around. The King enjoyed
their flying. Just then he thought that how many crows could be in his
kingdom and immediately posed this question to Birbal.

Birbal thought a moment, then said, "They are ninety-five thousand,

four hundred and sixty three (95, 463) crows in your kingdom,
Huzoor." "How do you know that for sure?" the King asked. "You can
get them counted, Huzoor." Birbal said.

The king again said, "If there will be less than that, then?" Birbal
replied immediately, "That means that the rest of them have gone on
vacation to some neighboring kingdoms." "Or if there were more than
that, then?" "Then it means that other crows are visiting your
kingdom, Huzoor."

Akbar was very pleased with this answer of his question.

10--------Akbar's Advisor?

Several courtiers were vying to be the Royal Advisor of Emperor

Akbar. So one day, when they came to the court, they said to the
Emperor, "We want to be your Royal Advisor." Akbar said, "No
problem, but you will have to pass the test before you could be my
Royal Advisor. And whoever would pass the test will be appointed my
Advisor." They agreed.

The King unfastened his waist cloth and lay down on the floor, and
asked the candidates to cover him with that cloth from head to toe.
Now everybody tried to cover him, but in vain. If one wanted to cover
the head, then feet remained uncovered, or if the feet were covered,
then his head remained open.
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Just then Birbal entered the court, the king asked Birbal also, if he
could cover him with that cloth from head to toe. Birbal paused a
moment, then asked the Emperor politely, "Huzoor, Could you pull
up your knees a little bit?" The King did so, and Birbal could cover
him from head to toe with that cloth.

Realizing that they failed the test, the courtiers left the court quietly
and then they never thought about being the King's Advisor.

11---------Flowers for Akbar?

One day Akbar was taking a walk in his Royal gardens with several
courtiers. Many flowers were flowering at that time of season. A poet
pointed out towards a beautiful flower and said, "Look
Jahaanpanaah, how beautiful flowers that is? No man can produce
such a beautiful thing as this." Birbal was also there. He said, "I don't
agree with this, sometimes man can make more beautiful things than
this." Akbar said, "Oh no Birbal, you are talking nonsense. This flower
is really very beautiful."

After a few days, Birbal presented Akbar a very skilled craftsman from
Agra. He presented a beautiful carved marble bouquet of flowers. The
Emperor was very happy to see it, and gave him one thousand gold
coins.

Just then a boy came and presented the Emperor a beautiful bouquet
of real flowers. The Emperor was very happy to see it too, so he gave a
silver coin to the boy. Birbal said, "So the carving was more beautiful
than the real thing."
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Akbar understood that he had fallen in the hands of his witty minister
once again.

12--------Birbal's Sweet Reply

Akbar used to ask many odd questions from his courtiers and amused
himself. One day he entered the Royal Court, settled in his Royal
chair, and asked his courtiers:

"What punishment should be given to a person who pulls my

mustache?"

One said, "He should be beheaded."

Another said, "He should be flogged."

Yet another said, "He should be hanged."

"What do you think, Birbal?" the Emperor asked Birbal.

Birbal kept quiet for a moment, and then said, "Jahaanpanaah, he

should be given sweets."

"What, Birbal? Have you gone crazy? Do you know what are you
saying?"

Birbal replied politely, "I am not crazy, Jahaanpanaah. And I know

what I am saying."

"Then how can you talk like this?" the King asked in anger. Birbal
again replied politely, "Because, Jahaanpanaah, the only person who
can dare to do this is your grandson."

So pleased was the King with this answer, that he gave his ring to
Birbal as a reward.
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13-------------Birbal identifies the Guest?

Once Birbal was invited for dinner by a rich man. When Birbal
reached there, he found himself in a large crowd. The host greeted
him warmly and took him inside. Birbal said, "I did not know that
there will be so many guests in this gathering." The host replied
politely, "They are not guests, Sir. They are my employees except one
who is the only other guest here besides you. Could you tell who that
other one guest here is?"

"Maybe, I could. Tell them a joke, and I will observe them." The rich
man told the joke and everybody laughed uproariously. Perhaps this
was the worst joke Birbal had ever heard in his life. Now the rich man
asked Birbal, "I have told the joke, now you tell me who the other
guest here is?" Birbal pointed out towards a man and said, "He is that
other guest." The rich man was very surprised hearing this that how
could he recognize the other guest. He said to him, "You are right
Birbal, but how did you recognize him?"

Birbal said, "Because only employees can laugh on such a joke. He

was the only person who did not even smile on your joke, so I
immediately recognized him as the other guest."

14------A little lesser and a little more

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One day Birbal's five-year old daughter accompanied him to the Royal
Court. When Akbar saw her, it just came to his mind that he should
test her wits whether she had the same type of wits as her father had.

He started talking to her. "Do you know Persian, O little girl?" "A little
lesser and a little more, Sir" The girl replied. Birbal smiled on her
reply, but Akbar could not understand it, so he asked Birbal to explain
this.

Birbal said, "She knows Persian a little more than those who do not
know Persian, and knows a little lesser than those who know Persian
well."

Akbar understood that she had the same wits as her father.

15--------Birbal's Beautiful Explanation

One day the Emperor Akbar saw a woman hugging and kissing a very
dark, ugly and unattractive child. He was very surprised to see that.
He thought and thought but could not think why? He asked Birbal
that why she was doing that to such an unattractive child. Birbal
replied innocently, "Huzoor, he must have been her own child. For
every mother her own child is the most beautiful child in the world."

The Emperor did not seem to be convinced with this explanation, and
Birbal had guessed this from the Emperor's face. Next day, in the
presence of the Emperor, Birbal ordered a Guard to present the most
beautiful child in the world in the court. Next day, the Guard brought
a more unattractive and ugly child with buck teeth and his hair stood
like a porcupine and presented to the Emperor. "This is the most
beautiful child in the world, Your majesty." the Guard stammered.

The Emperor asked, "How do you know that he is the most beautiful
child in the world?" "Your Majesty, I went home and posed my
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problem to my wife. She told me to bring our child to the court." the
Guard replied meekly.

16------Mullah’s Flattening Answer

One day, the Mullaa Nasruddin was going back after having an
audience with the Emperor that his one coin fell down from his
pocket. It was the only money he had at that time so he started
immediately looking for it. Muraad, who was his one of his bitterest
enemies at the court, said, "See Your Majesty, how miser he is? You
have bestowed so much money on him; still he is after a copper coin."

Mullaa said quickly, "It is not because of the value of the coin, Your
Majesty that I am looking for it. I am looking for it because one side of
that coin bears your resemblance, and I don't want people trampling
on it."

Akbar was so pleased to hear this reply that he pulled off his diamond
ring from his finger and gave it to the Mullaa.

17-------Mullaa uses his head

STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

One time it happened so that the Mullaa Nasruddin displeasured the

Sultan, so the Sultan asked one of his men to slay him and bring him
his head.

The Mullaa was very upset with this. He went to Birbal and asked him
how to save himself. Birbal said, "It is a difficult situation but let me
try. Rest is your luck." And he told him how to act.

The Mullaa, however, could persuade the man to take him alive to the
court. Sultan was very furious seeing Mullaa alive in his court. He
asked the soldier, "Didn't I tell you to bring Mullah’s head to the
Court, not the Mullaa himself?" The Mullaa Nasruddin said politely,
"It is not his fault, Huzoor. I asked him to do so. You know whenever
you want anything done; I don't trust anybody else lest it is badly
done. So I thought let me does it myself? So I decided to bring my
head myself on my shoulder. My head is here, Huzoor."

Akbar was very pleased with this defense that he allowed Mullaa to
keep his head on his shoulder.

18---------The noblest beggar

One day the Emperor asked Birbal, "Birbal, is it possible to be the

both "noblest" and the "lowest" together?" Birbal said, "Yes,
Jahaanpanaah" "Then bring me such a person."

Birbal went and returned next day with a beggar and presenting him
to Akbar said, "This is the lowest among all of your subjects,
Jehanpanah" Akbar asked, "Good, that may be true, but I don't see
that how he can be the noblest?"

"He has been given the honor of having an audience with the
Emperor that makes him the noblest among the beggars,
Jahaapanaah."
STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

19-------Fast Horse

One day, when Akbar saw Hodja coming on foot, he promised him to
give a horse. Accordingly, he instructed his stable man to give a horse
to Hodja. Now, it so happened that the stable man selected a very
weak and sick horse from the stable and sent it to Hodja's house. The
horse was so weak and sick that it died on the same night it was
delivered.

When next day Akbar saw Hodja coming on foot again, he asked in
surprise, "What happened to your horse, I arranged yesterday?"
Hodja said, "Jahaanpanaah, the horse had a fleet of feet that it
crossed the distance from earth to Heaven in one night."

Akbar was very sorry to know this, and this time he arranged a very
good horse for him.

20--------Milk for the Mullah

One day the Mullaa Nasruddin was going somewhere. He met a man
carrying a milk can. The man said to Mullaa, "Mullaa Jee, I have
some problem, I want your advice." "Why not, what is that problem?"
said the Mullaa eyeing on his milk can.

The man said, "Whenever I get up in the morning, I feel intoxicated. I

don't know what to do, and I don't understand what may be the
STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

problem." Mullaa asked, "What do you take in the last before you
sleep?" The man said, "Normally I drink milk."

The Mullaa said, "Now I understood, this is your problem." "What is

that?" asked the man perplexedly. The Mullaa said to him, "Because
milk causes the intoxication." "How?" asked the man innocently?
Mullaa explained to him, "You drink milk before sleeping. In sleep,
you toss around. So milk gets churned. It turns into butter, butter gets
churned, and it turns into fat. Fat gets churned, it turns into sugar.
Then sugar gets churned, and it turns into alcohol. So when you wake
up in the morning you wake up with alcohol in your stomach that is
why you feel intoxicated."

"So what do I do?" asked the man in simplicity. Mullaa said, "It is so
simple. Don't drink milk. Here, give it to me." Mullaa virtually
snatched the milk can from the man and went on his way. The poor
man stood there bewildered. He went to Birbal and got his milk back
somehow.

21------------The loyal Gardener

One day Akbar was stumbled on a rock in his garden while taking a
stroll. He was not in a good mood already, and then this fall. He got
very angry and ordered for the gardener's arrest and execution.

The next day, at the time of execution, the gardener was asked what
his last wish was. He requested for an audience with the Emperor. His
wish was granted and he was brought in the Court. When he came
near the throne, he loudly cleared the throat and spat at the feet of the
Emperor. The Emperor demanded to know why he did such a thing.
The gardener did this on Birbal's advice, so Birbal stepped forward in
the gardener's defense.

He said, "There could be no person more loyal than this unfortunate

gardener. Fearing that you ordered him for hanging for a small
STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

reason, he went out of his way to give you a genuine reason for
ordering him to be hanged."

The Emperor realized his mistake and set him free.

22-------Half Sun, Half Shade

One day Birbal happened to pass a harmless comment on Akbar's

sense of humor. But Akbar was no fool. He got very angry and
ordered him to not only leave the court, but also the city of Agra, his
capital. Birbal was terribly hurt but could not do anything about it. So
Birbal left. But now Akbar was missing him. He wanted him back in
the Court. He could not do anything without him. He wanted to call
him but he didn't know his whereabouts. Nobody else also knew
where he was.

One day an intelligent Saadhu (saint) came to his court and told him
the way to search for him. Now Akbar did as the Saadhu said to him.
He announced that he would give one thousand gold coins whosoever
will come to his Court in half sun and in half shade.

Next day a villager came carrying a string cot over his head and
claimed the money. He said, "I am in half sun and in half shade."
Akbar understood that this man cannot do it himself. On
interrogation he confessed that Birbal suggested him this plan. Akbar
was very happy to hear this. Immediately he called Birbal and they
had a happy reunion.

23---------The Donkey's Relatives

STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

One day Hodjaa loaded some vegetables on his donkey and set to
market. After a distance the donkey stopped going further and stayed
where it was. Now Hodjaa was in a hurry, first he coxed the donkey to
get moving but when it refused to walk further, and then he started
beating it.

Seeing this people gathered around them. One man asked Hodjaa
"Why are you beating this poor creature?" Another man said, "You
are a merciless man who is beating a speechless animal." The third
man said, "Do not beat it; it will go its own."

Hodjaa was still in anger; he said to the donkey, "If I knew that you
had so many relatives around, I would never have beaten you. I can
see that you have a large family here."

Hearing this people left and went away their way leaving Hodjaa with
his donkey.

24---------Red Hot Test

One day, one man wanted to punish a man named Hasan. He accused
him of stealing his necklace, and reported this theft in the police. The
case was brought in the Judge's court. Judge knew Hasan very well,
and he also knew that he was not a thief.

So he asked the man, "Why do you think that Hasan has stolen your
necklace?" The man replied, "Your Honor, I have seen him stealing
the necklace." Hasan said, "I am innocent, Your Honor. I do not know
anything about his necklace."
STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

The man then said, "All right, if he is innocent, let him prove his
innocence. Let me bring the hot iron, and if he can hold it in his bare
hands, then I will agree that he has not stolen my necklace, and he is
speaking truth."

The man said, "It means that if I am speaking the truth, then I will
not burn my hands with that red hot iron?" "Yes, you are right. God
will protect you."

Now Hasan could not do anything but to hold red hot iron in his
hands to a his innocence, and that he was speaking the truth. He
asked judge to give him one day to look for that necklace again. The
judge gave him permission. He went home.

He took advice from Birbal. He returned next day he came back and
said, "I am ready for that, Sir, if you think so. But the same thing
should apply to him too. If he is speaking the truth, then the red hot
iron should not burn his hands also. So let him brings that red hot
iron holding in his both hands, and then I will hold that iron in my
bare hands."

Now the man was speechless. He told the Judge that he would go and
search his necklace again in his house; maybe it was misplaced
somewhere there, bowed hastily and went away.

25-------------Four Fools

Once Akbar asked Birbal to bring four fools of the first order to him.
He said - "It is not difficult because this world is full of fools. Birbal
said - "OK" and asked some time to find them, which Akbar readily
gave to him.
STORIES OF AKBAR AND BIRBAL-EDITED BY:-Khagendra Bhurtel—mail--- bhurtelkhagendra@rediffmail.com

Now Birbal started looking for fools. He was going somewhere that he
saw a man carrying a large plate on which were kept some clothes,
betel leaves and sweets. He looked like a fool to Birbal, so he asked
him - "Where are you going to? And to whom you are carrying this?"
The man replied - "My wife has remarried. Now they have a child so I
am taking this gift for them." Birbal got convinced that he was a fool,
so he considered him a candidate to take to the king.

At another time he saw a man riding a buffalo carrying a bundle of

grass on his head. Birbal thought he was also a fool, so he asked him -
"Why are you carrying this bundle on your head?" The man replied -
"In fact my buffalo is pregnant, so I thought that she should not carry
too much load that is why I have put this bundle on my own head
instead of putting it on it." Birbal considered him also a candidate to
take to the king.

So next morning he took those people to Akbar's court and presented

them to him as the biggest fools. "But these are only two fools; where
are the other two? I asked you to bring four fools." King asked. Birbal
folded his hands and bending a little said - "Jehaanpanaah, The third
fool is you who asked me to bring the fools; and the fourth fool is me
who has brought these fools for you."

When the king heard about them, he laughed a lot on their

foolishness