"One Picture And One Story Week #22"

^{History is fun to learn when it holds a good reputation for your ancestors}

A few days ago i came to know about Raja Birbal. I had heard birbal name before but not its history.

After searching it online, i was bombarded with this information;
^{Raja Birbal was one of the courtiers in the court of Mughal Emperor Abkar. He was famous for his intelligence, wit, and quick thinking}

Source

We all know about Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Akbar being the third Mughal Emperor of India during middle age. He was superior than his ancestors for his exceptional policies that made him rule on entire(mostly) India.

He wasn't educated and didn't even know how to read or write. However, it didn't hold him back from learning about art and philosophy.

He made his court of people who had remarkable brains and skills. He had total 9courtiers in his court hailing from diverse backgrounds of philosophy, science, finance, military, art, poetry , and religion. One of them was Birbal appointed as an advisor, poet, and singer.

He was a Hindu named Mahesh Das, Birbal was a title given by Akbar meaning: Quick thinker or Hazir Jawab.

Akbar was fond of people with abilities and skills to benefit him in the court.

Birbal's intellect impressed Akbar during a journey and he invited him in his court.

Birbal went to his palace afterwards where a long queue was on the door.

These people had come to meet Abkar and tell him their difficulties. Akbar was cool enough to listen to these laymen every now and then.

However, the guard was only allowing people to go inside who were giving him coins/bribe. One old man had nothing to give so the guard pushed and threw him on the ground but didn't allow to go inside. Birbal was seeing this quietly and didn't say anything.

When his turn came up, the guard asked for coins. Birbal told him that he don't have any and king Akbar has invited me to reward me for helping him during his journey.

On hearing about reward, the guard said if you would give me half of your reward only then I'll allow you to go inside. Birbal agreed and he went inside.

Birbal greeted Akbar and asked him to reward him 50 flogs(koray). Akbar and his people were stunned to hear his demand but he insisted on this reward. Eventually, Akbar agreed to reward him if he tells him the reason behind it.

Birbal told him calmly that there is a guard on the gate who takes bribe and allowed me to come inside on the condition to give him half of my reward.

Akbar was furious to know about this corruption and asked to bring that guard. On hearing this reward the guard fell on his knees and asked for his majesty's forgiveness.

But Akbar didn't have any mercy for corrupt people.
He was so amazed to see Birbal exposing corruption in his court that he gave all his reward to the guard( which was to whip him 50 flogs).

On that day, Akbar made Birbal part of his court, he became one of the 9jewells of Akbar.

Akbar was so fond of Birbal that he had given him residence near his palace, unlike all other courtiers.

Akbar's wrath didn't fall on Birbal in his 30 years of service in the court, only a couple of other courtiers were as lucky as Birbal.

Akbar was clever enough to know how to expand his emperor in the India. He knew that his emperor can flourish only when he gets the trust of Hindus equally.

^{He withdrew the taxes imposed on Hindu pilgrims and got a Hindu princess in his nikah.}

Likewise, Hindus became loyal to Akbar and were given high ranks in military.

Birbal was also one such loyal companion of Akbar who fought two battels in his life despite not having a military backgrounds.

His last battle was proven deadly for him that was against the rebellious Yousufzai pakhtoons, in 1586. Birbal died in the present northern areas of Kpk and some says in Kabul.

Akbar was heavily grieved on Birbal's death and didn't eat for two days. He never mourned like this on anyone's death.

Final take: If any leader is brave enough to appoint people of other religions in his court on merit then surely his follower will be loyal enough to give his own life in the battlefield.

^{Folktales of Akbar and Birbal became famous after his death in the India. In such tales, Birbal is portrayed as a wit who outsmart all the envious courtiers in front of Akbar.}

^{There are many moral lessons portrayed in these tales for children like using intellect, honesty, truth, problem solving skills, team working, and thinking out of the box when confronted with a different question.}

^{In late 20th century, many cartoon shows had started for children like Akbar Birbal, Akbar ka Bal Birbal, and Hazir Jawab Birbal}

^{These tales are all fiction but a good piece of content to teach your children during bedtime activities.}