Akbar and Birbal

by Amita Sarin

The friendship between Emperor Akbar and his minister Birbal created history-and some delightful stories! The tales of Akbar and Birbal have been passed on from generation to generation, enthralling young and old listeners alike. This book brings together a selection of these stories, along with fascinating historical details about the Mughal court, the emperor and his witty courtier. 

From the time that a chance meeting in the forest brought Akbar and Birbal face-to-face, the emperor and his minister together faced dilemmas that ranged from the ethical to the personal, from debates on the true nature of justice to the problems of hen-pecked husbands. An old widow is robbed of her bag of gold and Birbal nails the culprit.

A thief runs away with the emperor’s royal seal but gives Akbar a surprise later. Birbal manages a miraculous escape when envious courtiers conspire to have him killed. The king asks his ministers how many crows there are in the city, and only Birbal has the answer. 

With well-researched introductions to each aspect of Mughal life, Amita Sarin recreates Akbar’s court in all its grandeur and vitality. The stories in this collection are both amusing and thought-provoking, both historical and timeless.

Table of Contents:

• Author's note
• Introduction
• How Birbal came to Akbar's Court
  • A meeting in the forest
  • The dishonest gatekeeper
• The Pilar of Justice
  • The Tree witness
  • Whose money sticks
• The King and his people
  • The emperor's disguise
  • The golden touch
  • The Palms of their hands
  • The obedient husbands
  • Matters of faith
  • The Holy man
  • The Holy name of rama
  • In the Durbar
  • Mother Tongue
  • A long story
  • The five greats t fools in Agra
  • The Perfect portrait
  • The flatterer
• In the family
  • Appeasing the begum
  • The Powers of Children
  • A suitable punishment
• The King's Ambasador
  • Who is the real shah?
  • Birbal travels to burma
• The friendship of Akbar adn Birbal
  • Birbal and the mad elephant
  • The cross of Agra
  • Long live the king
  • Birbal goes to heaven
• Bibliography.