BIRBAL (MOST LOVED MINISTER BY AKBAR) - NOT A MUSLIM BUT A HINDU BRAHMIN

                        Anyone who are not familiar with history, think by hearing name Birbal that, he was a Muslim and prime minister in the court of Akbar Baadshah. But that was incorrect, Birbal's birth name was Mahesh Das and he was a Hindu Brahmin. Now a series of questions arise in your thoughts like, if he was a hindu then why history books refer him as Birbal which was a Muslim name? and how he managed to join the court of Muslim king, Akbar Baadshah? Let us clear your doubts and know about Raja Birbal.

Birth:

                       Birbal was born in the year 1528 in a Hindu Kayasth Brahmin family in a village Trivikrampur near Kalpi, present day Uttarpradesh in India. His father was Ganga Das and mother was Anabha Davitho. He was the third son in the family. His family was associated with poetry and literature. But their's was a very poor family. His grandfather's name was Roopdhar and he was a great Sanskrit scholar. He resided at Patrapunj. Birbal lost his father Ganga Das at a very early age. His mother sent Birbal to his father Roopdhar at Patrapunj. He got his education from his grandfather Roopdhar.

Early life:

                        Birbal was very well educated in Hindi, Sanskrit and also Persian. Birbal was specialized in Music and arts. He also wrote prose and he wrote poetry in Braj language. He started writing his own poems at very early age. He was very shrewd and talented in using wit to his advantage in any situation. Birbal got his first chance to prove his talents when he was invited by Bhagwandas, the king of Jaipur. Later he served at Rajput court of Raja Ram Chandra of Rewa, under the pen name "Brahma Kavi". Because of his accomplishments he was able to marry a girl from a well known and rich family in Kalinjar. Thus after marriage he was settled financially.

How Akbar met Birbal:

                      Akbar used to go out a lot on hunting expeditions. One fine day Akbar along with his minister's went on a hunting expedition. After the hunting activity was done, they returned to palace but were confused of the route and lost. They wandered here and there and hadn't a clue of where they were. At last they found a junction of three roads. Akbar and his ministers were very happy as they found a way to return to Agra, the capital city. But they were not sure which road to take to reach Agra.

                      Just then, they saw a young man coming towards them. Akbar said "wait up young man, could you tell us which road goes to Agra?"

                     The man smiled and said "Sir, none of these roads goes to Agra."

                    Every one was shocked at the young man's audacity. Akbar kept his anger controlled and asked the young man "What do you mean?"

                    The young man said "people travel, not roads, do they?"

                    The emperor's anger vanished by hearing his clever reply. He laughed and said "yes, you are right. Tell me, what is your name?" The young man said "My name is Mahesh Das sir. "Then emperor asked the young man to tell about himself and listened.

                     Akbar said "You are talking to Emperor Akbar, the king of Hindusthan. I need fearless and witty people like you in my court." He then gifted his ring to Birbal and said "If you want to be a part of my royal court, come and meet me with this ring, I may not remember you in that case show me this ring so that I recognise you.

                      This is how Akbar met Birbal.

Life at Akbar's court:

                      Akbar's court consisted of Navaratnas (Nine Jewels) which means a group of nine minister's. Birbal was one among them. Birbal played the role of religious advisor, military figure and close friend of the emperor, serving him for thirty years. Akbar sent Birbal to aid Husain Quli Khan from an attack from Akbar's brother, Hakim Mirza in 1572. It was his first work in Military. During Gujarat campaigns he accompanied his emperor, Akbar. He often participated in military activities without any military background earlier. He was given the position, Todar Mal, which means Advisor in economic matters.

         The member's in court disliked Birbal because of his close relation with the emperor and also that he was a Hindu brahmin. Akbar wanted to win the hearts of Hindu people of his kingdom. As the emperor was a Muslim, he wanted to remove the feeling of foreign rule from the mind's of Hindu people of his kingdom.

                     For this reason he established a religion called Din-i-llahi, which means religion of god. Birbal was the first one to join that religion. Though none among the people of his kingdom were interested in that religion, it was faded later. Akbar gave the name Birbal to him. Bir means "Brain" and Bal means "Strong". Birbal was often called the brighest jewel among his navaratnas and this made other members of court jealous of Birbal.

Birbal's house:

                     This monument is now located in Narnaul, Mahendergarh district of Haryana. It was built in 1571 by Ray-i-Rayan Mukund Das, the Diwan of Narnaul in Fatehpur sikri. It is a two storied structure. Akbar wanted Birbal's house built close his very own chambers. Birbal was the only courtier to reside with in the palace complex. His house consisted of several halls, rooms and pavilions. The extensive open terrace on the south, elliptical pavilions on different levels, halls on pillars and running verandah around the central court, once adorned with a marble fountain, impart spaciousness and light to it. It is now popularly known as Chhatta of Birbal.

Death:

                   A rebellion was started along the east bank of river Indus by Afghan Yousafzai's tribes against Mughal rule. Akbar sent Birbal along with troops to aid commander Zain Khan who was already at the spot of war, in 1586. Birbal and army advanced into a narrow pass in Swat valley (present day Pakisthan) where Afghans were waiting in prepared positions among hills. There along with Birbal, 8000 soldiers were killed. It was said that Zain Khan also disliked Birbal and plotted to get Birbal killed by the Afghans by sending him into the trap of Afghan's knowingly. Whatever the reason may be, Birbal was died in the year 1586 in Swat valley.

                  Birbal is well known in the Indian subcontinent for the tales about his wisdom and wit. Numerous tales are available about the incidents which depicts the brilliance and wittiness of Birbal. The collection of his writings can be found in Bharatpur Museum in Rajasthan.