Akbar and Beerbal Folktales

Image generated using ChatGPT 4 from the prompt: image of Akbar and Beerbal with Akbar seated on a throne.

Introduction

The Akbar-Beerbal folk tales emerged in the 19th century and were, for the most part, passed on orally. They portray Beerbal's intelligence and wit in solving problems in Akbar's court. Several stories of Akbar and Beerbal sound too good to be true and are likely apocryphal.

The Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire was an Islamic regime that ruled the Indian subcontinent from 1526 CE to 1857 CE. Akbar's grandfather, Babur, founded the empire in 1526 CE. The word "Mughal" derives from the word "Mongol". The Mughal Empire’s official and court language was Persian. The Taj Mahal (in Agra, Uttar Pradesh), one of the most beautiful monuments in the world, was built by Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan. The Mughal Empire was formally dissolved during the Indian rebellion of 1857 CE.

Emperor Akbar

Emperor Akbar (1542 CE - 1605 CE) was the third Mughal emperor after Babur and Humayun. Akbar was Humayun's son; his full name was Abu'l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar. Popularly known as Akbar the Great, he was crowned king in 1556 CE at the age of thirteen after Humayun's death. In 1564 CE, Akbar abolished the jizya, a tax levied on non-Muslims. He also commissioned the Razmnama, a Persian translation of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharat. In 1605 CE, he died of a severe dysentery attack. His son, Jahangir, succeeded him.

Raja Beerbal

Raja Beerbal (1528 CE - 1586 CE) was a Hindu advisor and the main commander of the army in Emperor Akbar's court. He was born Mahesh Das to a Brahmin family. Akbar gave him the name 'Beerbal' and the title 'Raja'. It is worth noting that Beerbal was fourteen years older than Emperor Akbar. Beerbal was one of the nine intellectuals in Akbar's court, also known as navaratnas (nine gems). He was killed in a war, and his body could not be found for Hindu cremation. Beerbal's death greatly upset Emperor Akbar.

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