35. Mahesh Das becomes Birbal

During the reign of Mughal Emperor Akbar there lived a boy named Mahesh Das.

One day Mahesh was retuning home after visiting his uncle who lived in another village. On his way back to home, Mahesh set a royal hunting party. The lead of the team asked Mahesh the road that leads to the city of Agra. Mahesh guided their way. The head of the hunting team was none other than Akbar himself. He was impressed by the way Mahesh talked. He gave Mahesh his ring and asked him to come to his court with the seal ring he gave.

Years passed way. Mahesh lived in a village with his parents. The family was improvised and could barely make ends meet. One fine day, Mahesh decided to leave his village and go to the court of Akbar for trying his luck.

Mahesh left the village with all his savings and the Ring with the Seal of the Emperor Akbar for the new capital of Fatehpur Sikri.

After few days, Mahesh reached Fatehpur Sikri. The city was full of pomp.  Mahesh reached the king’s palace where he was stopped by the guard.

Mahesh told the guard that he wanted to meet the king. But the guard would not let him go. He argued with Mahesh for sometime, until he showed him Akbar’s Ring of Seal.

The guard recognized Akbar’s Ring of Seal. He agreed to let Mahesh go inside, but on a condition – ‘Whatever you receive from the Emperor you will share with me half of that’, the guard said. Mahesh smiled and agreed. The guard let him go inside.

Mahesh went inside in the court of Great Emperor. He saw Akbar seated on the golden throne. Birbal hurried toward the king. He stood before him and said, ‘O Great Emperor, may your shadow always grow like the full moon in the sky!’

Akbar smiled hearing Birbal’s unique way of greeting. He asked him, ‘Who are you? What do you want?’ 

Mahesh bowed before him and said, ‘My Majesty, I have come here at your command’, saying this he held out the seal Akbar gave him. Years had passed by and Akbar barely remembered where and how he gave the seal to the boy. Anyhow, Akbar said, ‘Good, you came. Now let us what is your heart’s desire?’

Mahesh remembered his promise to the guard and asked Akbar to punish him with one hundred slashes.

Akbar was surprised to hear Birbal’s wish. He asked him, ‘Why do you want to be wiped? And how can I do that to you when I know you have done any mistake?’

Mahesh said convincingly, ‘My Majesty, please do not go back from your promise. O Great Emperor, grant me my wish!’

Akbar asked his men to whip Birbal one hundred times with great reluctance. Mahesh endured every stroke without a word or cry of pain.

After the fiftieth whip Birbal unable to take the lashes anymore shouted, ‘Stop!’

Akbar asked his men to stop and then he turned to Mahesh asking him, ‘Why Now what happened?’

Mahesh replied, ‘My Majesty, when I came here your guard would not let me in. After seeing your seal he allowed me in but on the condition that I give half of whatever I receive from you. I have received my share, and now it is his turn turns to receive his half’.

The entire court listened in amazement. They were surprised by Mahesh’s way of handling the matter diplomatically.

The guard was brought in the court and whipped accordingly.

Akbar said, ‘Mahesh, you are fearless as you were years ago when you were a child. I see that you have not only understand but also grown into a cleverer young man. You trick has helped me identify corrupted people in my court. It now becomes easy for me to weed such people from my court; else I would have spent a significant time and money in the process. From today onwards, we would call you ‘Birbal’ based on wit and wisdom you have. I take you in my council for advisory on various stately issues’.

Mahesh agreed and served Akbar for many as his advisor. He was one of the Navratnas of Akbar’s court and enjoyed great attention and favoritism.