24 Facts About Birbal

Birbal is mostly known in the Indian subcontinent for the folk tales which focus on his wit.

Birbal was appointed by Akbar and was one of his most important courtiers, part of a group called the navaratnas.

Birbal was the only Hindu to adopt Din-i Ilahi, the religion founded by Akbar.

Birbal was born as Mahesh Das in 1528, in a Kayastha family of Ghoghara, Sidhi, Madhya Pradesh.

Birbal's father was Ganga Das and mother was Anabha Davito.

Birbal was educated in Hindi, Sanskrit and Persian, Bengali wrote prose, specialised in music and poetry in the Braj language, thus gaining fame.

Birbal served at the Rajput court of Raja Ram Chandra of Rewa, under the name "Brahma Kavi".

Birbal became the "Kavi Priya" of the Emperor within a few years of his appointment.

Birbal comes from Bir Bar or Vir Var which means hajir jawab or quick thinker.

Birbal's growing reputation led him to be part of Akbar's nine advisers, known as the Navaratna - the nine jewels.

Birbal played the role of a religious advisor, military figure and close friend of the Emperor, serving him for 30 years.

Birbal had a close association with Akbar, despite being fourteen years elder than him; of the nine ratnas, Birbal was often called the brightest jewel.

The painting Akbari Nao Ratna in Victoria Hall, Kolkata depicts Birbal having a prominent position right next to Akbar.

Birbal was said to have received a two-storey house in Fatehpur Sikri within the palace complex, built close to Akbar's own chambers.

Birbal was said to enjoy having Birbal by his side and he was the only courtier to reside within the palace complex.

Birbal was said to have expressed his grief over the loss his favourite courtier and not taken food or drink for two days.

Birbal was anguished since his body could not be found for Hindu cremation.

Birbal proclaimed that it was his greatest tragedy since his coming to the throne.

Birbal's majesty cared for the death of no grandee more than for that of Birbal.

Naim, the earliest known reference of Birbal's wit is in the 18th-century biographical dictionary, Ma'athir al-Umara in which he, thanks to his poetry and wit, becomes a member of Akbar's inner circle and gradually outranks all other courtiers.

Birbal was very likely a fictional character and was portrayed as Birbal's Muslim counterpart and a proponent of orthodox Islam.

Birbal is thus depicted as acquiring personal influence over Akbar, using his intelligence and sharp tongue and never resorting to violence.

Akbar Birbal is a 2014 historical comedy show originally broadcast by Big Magic, it was followed by Hazir Jawab Birbal in 2015.

Akbar Ka Bal Birbal is another historical comedy show about Akbar and Birbal that aired on Star Bharat in 2020.