151 Akbar Birbal Stories

When Akbar saw Birbal, his favourite minister, walking to the court, he was annoyed. He asked, “Birbal, why are you walking? Where are your horses?” Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, my wife and her cousins have taken the horses. They have gone to visit relatives.” Akbar summoned the stable-boy and ordered him to give Birbal a […]

Akbar was a benevolent king but he also had an awful temper. One day, he got angry with one of his courtiers. He was so furious that he ordered the guards to behead him the next day. The courtier fell at Birbal’s feet and pleaded, “Birbal! Please save me from the Emperor’s wrath.” Birbal offered

One day, Akbar called Birbal to his court and had a long discussion. When their conversation ended, Birbal bowed and turned to leave. Just then, a copper coin fell from his pocket. As Birbal bent to pick the coin up, a jealous courtier said, “Your Majesty, you have showered Birbal with wealth, yet he remains

The king of Persia had heard many stories of Birbal’s wit and wisdom. He wanted to know whether Birbal was indeed intelligent and was eager to meet him. So he sent his messenger with a special invitation to visit Persia. Birbal accepted the invitation. When Birbal reached the king’s court, he saw six kings sitting

One day, Akbar and Birbal were lost in a discussion when the royal ironsmith entered the court. The ironsmith made swords and shields for Akbar’s army. He announced, “Your Majesty, I have made the strongest sword and shield in the world. No sword can pierce the shield I have made.” Then he held a sword

Akbar became king when he was just 13. Eventually, he formed a vast empire. He knew he was a great man and this made him arrogant. Due to this, Akbar acted inconsiderately towards his subjects at times. Birbal did not like this since Akbar was otherwise a kind man. One day, Birbal disguised himself as

One day, Akbar told Birbal, “There shall be a huge music competition next week. Invite the best musicians and Birbal, you shall participate, too.” On the day of the competition, when the participants had gathered in the royal hall, Akbar announced, “I’m sure you’re all great musicians in your own right. But the winner will

One morning, Akbar was walking in the garden. He was deep in thought when he stumbled against a small rock and hurt his foot. Angrily, he sent for the royal gardener. He told the gardener, “I hurt my foot because of you. You shall be sentenced to death tomorrow.” The gardener’s pleas fell on deaf

Akbar and Birbal shared a close relationship. This made the courtiers jealous of Birbal. One of them said to Akbar, “Your Majesty, why do you listen to Birbal and ignore our suggestions?” Akbar thought he should prove that Birbal was better than the rest. A marriage procession was passing by and Akbar asked the jealous

Once, a couple went to visit a saint with their niece. The saint was blind. But as soon as the niece saw the saint, she cried, “This man killed my parents. Punish him!” The saint said, “How can a blind man like me kill someone? Take this girl away.” The couple came home but they

Akbar would ask Birbal the trickiest of questions to test his intelligence. One day, he said to Birbal, “I have a simple question for you, Birbal. How many bangles does your wife wear?” Birbal said, “Your Majesty, I do not know.” Akbar said, “She serves you food every day. Yet, you don’t know.” Birbal replied,

One day, Akbar said to Birbal, “You can solve any problem in a jiffy. You must be good at painting too.” Birbal said, “No, Your Majesty! I can’t even hold a painting brush.” Akbar angrily said, “I am an art‑lover. You cannot say ‘no’ to me. I want you to imagine and create a painting.

There are people who think wealth is necessary to earn respect. Akbar thought so, too. He asked Birbal, “Is it possible for a man to be poor and yet earn respect?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” replied Birbal. Akbar said, “If this is possible, find such a person and bring him to me.” Birbal went out on

One day, Akbar wanted to know how many blind people lived in his kingdom. He asked Birbal about it and Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, please grant me a week’s holiday to find the answer to your question.” Akbar granted him leave. The next day onwards, Birbal stopped going to the royal court. Instead, he began

There was a wealthy man in Akbar’s kingdom. He bought a handsome horse. But within a few months the horse started limping. The man called many veterinarians to examine his horse but they could not cure it since there was no sprain, fracture or wound. The man thought, ‘Only Birbal can cure my horse.’ After