Tales of Birbal

Birbal, one of the nine jewels in Emperor Akbar’s court, was a fair administrator, a brave soldier and loyal courtier. But what endeared him most to the emperor was his razor sharp wit. Wit that not only amused and entertained but, on occasions, saved lives, restored honor and even held the emperor back from taking wrong decisions. However, according to popular accounts, Birbal’s closeness to Akbar made many courtiers jealous and they were constantly plotting against him. This collection includes stories that depict Birbal’s quick-mindedness, sense of justice and fair play.