Other editions of book Birbal The Wise

Every ruler needs a friend like Birbal - faithful, intelligent and blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. Birbal dealt with every tricky situation, every palace intrigue and every demand of his petulant queen with characteristic aplomb. His gentle tact gave him a unique advantage, he became the all-powerful Akbar's alter ego. With wisdom to match his wit, he soon had both friend and foe under his spell

Every ruler needs a friend like birbal - faithful, intelligent and blessed with a wonderful sense of humor birbal dealt with every tricky situation, every palace intrigue and every demand of his petulant queen with characteristic aplomb his gentle tact gave him a unique advantage, he became the all-powerful akbars alter ego with wisdom to match his wit, he soon had both friend and foe under his spell

Birbal, whose real name was 'Maheshdas', was one of the 'nine gems' of court advisers of Akbar the Great. He composed poetry by another pen name 'Brahma'. He led a famous expedition into faraway Afghanistan and managed to subdue the turbulence there. Hearing the news of his death there, Akbar burst forth: "Birbal, you always gave the helpless whatever you had. I am helpless now and yet you have left nothing for me!" Birbal's name however does not rest on these achievements. He turned into a legend by the innumerable stories of his wit and wisdom, sense of justice and fair play, and above all, his uncanny skill in turning the tables on his detractors. Here is a sampling of four stories. In one story, some evil courtiers try to trick Akbar into executing Birbal so he can find out how Akbar’s ancestors are doing in heaven. Read how Birbal gets out of this and many other traps.