How Mahesh Das Became Birbal

In a small village, there lived a man named Mahesh Das. One day, he decided to go to the new capital, Fatehpur Sikri, to look for a job. He reached the palace, made of red sandstone, and wished to go inside to meet Emperor Akbar, renowned for his generosity. But the palace's gatekeeper refused to let Mahesh Das enter.

“The Emperor is busy and cannot see you,” said the gatekeeper.

When Mahesh Das insisted, the gatekeeper finally relented. “Okay, I will let you in on one condition,” he said. “You must give me half of what the Emperor gives you.”

Mahesh Das then entered the palace. The interior was beautifully decorated. He entered the royal court and bowed to the Emperor.

“I am pleased by your show of respect,” said the Emperor to Mahesh Das. “Tell me what you desire, and I will do my best to fulfill it.”

“I wish to receive a hundred lashes,” Mahesh Das replied.

The request caught the Emperor by surprise. “Why do you want such a thing when you have committed no crime?” he asked.

Mahesh Das then narrated to Akbar how the gatekeeper had demanded half of what he received from the Emperor.

“This is a serious matter indeed!” said Akbar. “It means that the gatekeeper is in the habit of taking bribes for doing his job.”

The Emperor had the guilty gatekeeper brought in and punished him with a hundred lashes for his crime.

“You are a clever man,” Emperor Akbar said to Mahesh Das. “I would like to appoint you as a minister in my court.”

Mahesh Das graciously accepted. Akbar also gave him a new name: Raja Birbal.