An Ode to Birbal
Once, in a village in Madhya,
A mother borne a sparkling Navratna,
Later cherishing a prolific minister to India.
God gifted the Delhi Sultanate,
When Muhammad Akbar reigned,
A man with an astute brain.
‘Birbal’, he was called so,
His mind was always at a dynamic flow.
The Quick Thinker, we all know.
To the king, he was a commander,
Quickly convincing distressed charters,
Providing leisure with a hearty laughter.
All across the states,
He was envied for his wisdom,
Kings and princes desperately wanted the gain.
But no! He remained a loyal evaluator
To his king, making faith greater,
As the last resort, hoping for better.
That bejewelled countenance of an Indian,
With that slim and sly moustache, unmatched by anyone’s,
Inspired folk tales of fun.
In Spite of facing bloody threats,
Hostilities and riots,
The Mughals relied on his bait.
From succouring poor farmers,
To unravelling hideous plots against courtiers,
He ceased Hakim’s tyrannies.
Year after year he fought,
Victory from wars he bought,
Until Karakar Pass, bore witness to his own spilled blood.
Ah, Birbal! You were indeed a gem,
Your wits were our childhood games,
And so, you are worth this worldly fame.
FOOTNOTES:
Madhya - ‘Madhya Pradesh's is a state in the Indian Subcontinent.
Navratna - Group of Nine ministers who played an integral part in Emperor Akbar’s court, they held different positions under his rule and Birbal was one of them. ‘Navratna’ can be broken into ‘Nav’, meaning Nine and ‘Ratna’, meaning Gems/Diamonds.
Delhi Sultanate - It was a Muslim state in North India.
Muhammad Akbar - He was one of the well known Emperors of India.
Mughals - An empire comprising a generation of Muslim Emperors who ruled India and Akbar was one of the Mughals.
Hakim - Akbar’s biggest rival and enemy.
Karakar Pass - A mountain pass where Birbal was killed.