§ 106 .] 
THE MUGHAL COURT. 
35 
He translated the Bhagauata Pur ana into Persian. His best 
known vernacular verses are on morals (*ftf?r). He died in Hij’ri 998 
(1589 A.D.). For his life see Aln-i-Akbarl, p. 351. His influence 
in making Hindus learn Persian is especially noteworthy, as it 
accounts for the formation and acceptance of Urdu. 
106. Raja Bir’bal, alias BIr’bar, alias Mahes Deis, 
alias Brahm Kabi, alias Kabi Bay. Born cir. 1528 A.D. 
Mr., Sun. The celebrated minister and poet-laureate (Kabi Pay) 
of A k’bar’s court. He was as much renowned for his liberality as for 
his musical skill and poetical talent. His short verses, bon-mots , and 
jokes, are still in the mouths of the people of Hindustan. He was 
much hated by pious Musalmans, owing to the belief that he had 
influenced Ak’bar to abjure Islam. According to Sib Siggh he was 
born in Sambat 1585 (A.D. 1528), but Blochmann in the Aln-i-Akbarl 
(p. 404 and ff.) leaves the matter in obscurity. His original name was 
Mahes Das, and he was a Kanauj Dube Brahman of Kal'pJ, in the district 
of H amir’pur. He was at first one of the court poets of Bhag’wan Das, 1 
Baja of Amer, who gave him as a nazar to Ak’bar shortly after the 
latter’s accession. At this time he used to sign himself in his poems 
as Brahm Kabi. At Ak’bar’s court he was at first very poor but quick¬ 
headed, and remarkable for his powers of apprehension. His bon-motsv 
in a short time made him a general favourite. His Hindi verses were 
also much liked, and Ak’bar conferred on him the title of Kabi Ray 
(above mentioned), and gave him other important state offices near his 
person. Nagar’kot was given to him as his jaglr , but it is doubtful 
if he ever really got it. In A.H. 990 (A.D. 1583) Bir’bal was sent 
by Ak’bar to reinforce lain Khan Kokah at Bijaur against the Yusufzais, 
and was there killed in battle. Badaonl (translation of Aln-i-Akbarl, 
l.c., and p. 204) says * Bir’bal also, who had fled from fear of his life, 
was slain, and entered the row of the dogs in hell, and thus got some¬ 
thing for the abominable deeds he had done during his lifetime. * * * 
His Majesty (Ak’bar) cared for the death of no grandee more than for 
that of Bir’bal. He said, “ Alas! they could not even get his body 
out of the pass, that it might have been burned.” But at last 
he consoled himself with the thought that Bir’bal was now free and 
independent of all earthly fetters, and as the rays of the sun were 
sufficient for him, there was no necessity that he should be cleansed by 
1 Tod, ii, 362; Calc. ed. ii, 390. 
