Mahesh Das Bhatt - The Witty Birbal

Birbal (also pronounced as Beerbal) was born in 1528 in a poor Brahmin family based in the Trivikrampur, village Ghoghara (Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh) on the banks of River Yamuna.  He was a learned Brahmin who had great poetic and writing skills.

Birbal was one of the most trusted and sought after members in the council of Akbar’s court. He was one of Navaratna (inner council of nine advisors) of Akbar’s counsel. Akbar conferred the title of Raja to Birbal.

Birbal was positioned as the Grand Vizier (Wazir-e Azam meaning the Chief Minister) in the court of Mughal Emperor Akbar (Jalaludden Mohammed Akbar Padshah Ghazi). His duties were mostly military and administrative. Birbal was liked by Akbar for his wit and wisdom. He had great sense of humor, due which he enjoyed friendly relations with Akbar. It has been accounted in the history that many courtiers were envied Birbal for the position and favoritism he enjoyed of the king. He was often plotted against and these factors put together lead to Birbal’s downfall.

Birbal died in the Battle of Malandari Pass fought in present day Afghanistan. The battle was fought between the Mughuls and Pashtun (Afghani) tribes of medieval Northwest India. However, Birbal was killed in the battlefield by Sanchit Fazal who envied his position in the court of Akbar. It was in fact an act of treachery rather than military defeat.

Akbar’s Navaratna

1. Tansen (singing art)

2. Dasvant (painter)

3. King Todarmal (financial skills)

4. Abdu us-Samad (calligraphy, and designing of Imperil coins)

5. Abul Fazal (well read historian)

6. Faizi (poetry)

7. Mir Fareh-ullah Shirazi (financier, philosopher, physician and astronomer)

8. King Maan Singh (chivalry)

9. Birbal (wit and advise)

It is said that though illiterate, Akbar was a very hard-working King. He slept only three hours a night. Akbar had a son named Salim (later came to be known as Jehangir).