Birbal, a real person with the name 'Maheshdas', was one of the 'nineof Akbar the Great. gems' of court advisersHe also composed poetry by the pen name 'Brahma'. He led an expedition into faraway Afghanistan and managed to subdue the turbulence there. Hearing the news of his death there, Akbar burst forth : "Birbal, you always gave the helpless whatever you had. I am helpless now and yet you have left nothing for me." Birbal's name however does not rest on these achievements. He is turned into a legend by the innumerable stories of his wit and wisdom, sense of justice and fairplay, and above all, his uncanny skill in turning the tables on his detractors including the king himself. - from Amzon