Introduction

The Akbar-Birbal folktales emerged in the 19th century and were, for the most part, passed down orally. They portray Birbal's intelligence and wit in solving problems in Akbar's court. Several stories of Akbar and Birbal 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. Despite being illiterate, he became one of the greatest Mughal emperors. A Muslim, he was sympathetic to other religions and, in 1564 CE, abolished the jizya, a tax levied on non-Muslims. He also commissioned the Razmnama, a Persian translation of the Sanskrit epic Mahabharata. He eventually initiated a syncretic faith called Din-i Ilahi (the Divine Faith), which combined elements of various religions. It was not meant to replace existing religions and ultimately never gained many followers. In 1605 CE, Emperor Akbar died of a severe dysentery attack. His son, Jahangir, succeeded him. 

Raja Birbal

Raja Birbal (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 'Birbal' and the title 'Raja.' It is worth noting that Birbal was fourteen years older than Emperor Akbar. Birbal 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. Birbal's death greatly upset Emperor Akbar.

Contents

1. How Mahesh Das Became Birbal

2. The False Lion

3. The Magical Sticks

4. Birbal's Journey to Heaven

5. Crows in the Kingdom

6. The Polyglot's Mother Tongue

7. God and Devotee

8. Birbal's Rice Meal 

9. The List of Fools

10. Most Handsome Child

11. Sweet Punishment

12. The Cock's Egg

13. Pandit Sevaram

14. The Slave-Owner and the Slave

Sources

1. प्रसिद्ध सचित्र कहानियाँ - अकबर और बीरबल (book) by Maple Kids

2. अकबर बीरबल की प्रसिद्ध कहानियाँ (book) by Om Books International