Who Is Birbal ?

Mahesh Das, grew up to be a fine young man, Took all his savings, along with the ring given by emperor Akbar. Which he had received from the Emperor himself some time ago, bade his mother farewell and set out for the new capital of India – Fatehpur Sikri.

He was very much enchanted with the pomp and grandeur of the new capital. He went past the crowds and headed towards the red walls of the palace. The palace gates were richly ornamented, mahesh had never seen something like the grand entrance before. Mahesh wanted to enter the gate but the guard slashed the air with his spear and stopped him.

Guard: Where do you think you are going ?
Mahesh: Your Majesty, I have come to see the king.
Guard: Oh! Yeah, the king must be waiting for you ?
Mahesh smiled at this comment.
Mahesh: Yes sir and now I’m here.
Guard: You talk too much.
Mahesh: I’m sure you must have once fought wonderfully well on the Emperor’s frontiers, but do not risk your life by stopping me from entering the palace.
The guard kept quiet for a moment.
Guard: I will chop off your head, if you do not stop talking nonsense.

Having seen the ring with the seal of the Emperor on it, the guard won’t say a word. He had to let him in although he was not willing to do it.
Guard: You can turn on one condition.
Mahesh: what?
Guard: You should give me half of whatever you get from the emperor.
Mahesh: Agreed.

The guard let him go inside, Mahesh went on and on, and finally he could see the golden throne on which a man of simple elegance was sitting. He quickly recognized him as Emperor akbar. Pushing everyone aside, Mahesh went further and prostrated himself before the Emperor.

Mahesh: Your majesty I seek your mercy.
Akbar Smiled.
Akbar: What do you want young man?
Mahesh: Your Majesty, I have come here at your command.
He handed over the ring which had been given to him by akbar himself so many years before.

Akbar: Good, now what do you want? Tell me, I will try my best to fulfill your desire.
Mahesh remembered his promise to the guard.
Mahesh: My lord, I need one hundred lashes from you, That shall I want.
The emperor was shocked.
Akbar: But how can I do this to you ? You have done nothing wrong.
Mahesh: My lord, Please do not go back on your promise of fulfilling my heart’s desire. Please your majesty.
Akbar: I cannot do this, but…
Mahesh: Please, MyLord.
Akbar: Give him 100 lashes.

To the surprise of all, Mahesh endured every stroke without uttering a world. After the 50th whip, he suddenly shouted.

Mahesh: Stop Now.
Akbar: Why? What happened ?
Mahesh: My lord, when I was coming here, your guard did not allow me to come inside the palace, unless I promised him to give half of whatever I get from you. I have taken half of my share, now it is your guard’s turn to take his share.
Everybody burst out laughing.

Akbar: You are brave now as you were when you were a boy, You have grown into a clever young man. I was trying to weed out corrupt people from my court, but your little tricks has done, what I could not have done with several laws. From now on, because you are so wise You shall be called birbal and you shall stay by my side as my advisor.
Mahesh: Thank you.. Your highness.
That is how birbal was born.