What was the real name of Birbal, a court member of Akbar?

The correct answer is Mahesh Das.

Key Points

• The real name of Birbal was Mahesh Das.
• Mahesh Das was a skilled poet and is known for his charismatic wit and humour.
• Birbal was a trusty advisor.
• The Emperor conferred on him with the title Birbal.
• Stories of Akbar and Birbal are extremely popular in India.

Additional Information

Akbar (1542- 1605)

• He reigned from 1556 to 1605.
• He defeated Hemu at the second battle of Panipat in 1556.
• He constructed Fatehpur Sikri and made it his capital in 1569.
• Buland Darwaza was constructed at the gate.
• He started a new religion Din-i Ilahi in 1582.
  • Bīrbal was the only Hindu follower of this religion.
• Abul Fazl wrote his biography titled Akbarnama.
• Nine of his courtiers were known as Navratnas.
  • They were Todar Mal, Abul Fazal, Faizi, Birbal, Tansen, Abdur Rahim Khana-i-Khana, Mullah-do-Pyaza, Raja Man Singh, and Fakir Aziao-Din
• He married a Hindu princess Harka Bai who is commonly known as Jodha Bai.
• Akbar captured the historic fortress of Chitor in 1568.
• He abolished the pilgrimage tax by Hindus in 1563.
• He also abolished the Jizyah tax in 1564.
• He also introduced the Mansabdari System or the rank-holder system to organize the nobility and army.