Question

What was the real name of Birbal, a court member of Akbar the Great ?
1. Mahesh Das
2. Mukesh Rai
3. Shyam Das
4. Ramtanu

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : Mahesh Das

The correct answer is Mahesh Das.

• 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.

• 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.