Several years had passed since Mahesh das met Akbar. He lived in a small town, and though famous for his knowledge and wit. Mahesh Das wasn’t wealthy. One day, he remembered Akbar’s promise and decided to visit the royal court in search of employment. He took all his savings, along with the Ring of seal of the Emperor Akbar, which he received from Akbar himself some time ago, took his mother farewell, and set out the new capital of India - Fatehpur Sikri. He was very much enchanted by the pomp and show of the new capital. He escaped the crowd and headed towards the red walls of the palace. The palace gate was very richly ornamented - a very beautiful gate as he had never seen before. Mahesh das wanted to enter the gate, but at the gates of the royal court, He was stopped by guard. Mahesh das showed him the precious ring given by Emperor Akbar. Recognising the ring immediately,
the greedy guard decided to strike a bargain. He said, “ I will let you enter, but on one Condition. You must promise me that you will share with me half of the reward that you receive from Jahanpanah.”
Mahesh Das smiled and agreed. He went inside the Royal court. He went on and on, finally he could see the golden throne on which a man of simple elegance was sitting. He quickly recognized him as the emperor Akabar. Punching everyone aside, Mahesh das went further and prostrated himself before The Emperor Akbar, and showed him the ring given to him earlier. The King Immediately recognised him and said, “ What do you want from me, Noble Man ?”
“Huzoor, I want fifty lashes as a reward,” he said.
Everyone in court was stunned on hearing this and assumed that Mahesh das was a mad man. Akbar asked him the reason for such a strange request. Mahesh Das said he would reveal it only after receiving the lashes. After Akbar agreed to the Unusual request, a soldier thrashed Mahesh Das with a whip.
After the twenty fifth lash, Mahesh Das signalled the soldier to stop and said, “ Huzoor, please call the man who guards your place gate.”
Akbar was even more perplexed, but ordered that the guard be summoned inside. As the guard entered, Mahesh Das said “Jahanpanah, this greedy guard allowed me to enter your court on the condition that I would share half of my reward with him. I wish to fulfill my promise. So, he should receive the remaining twenty five lashes.”
King Akbar ordered his men to teach the guard a lesson by whipping him twenty five times. He then sent the guard to prison for demanding a bribe. He was impressed with Mahesh’s wit and decided to make him his chief advisor, and gave him the name Birbal.
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