9.

Raja Man Singh I -

Raja Man Singh I was the Chief of Staff of the Mughal Army. He was born in December of
1550, 8 years younger than Emperor Akbar. Akbar was married to Singhs aunt, which some
people believe is one of the reasons he was chosen for the court. By 1589, Singh I was in charge
of 5,000 soldiers. This responsibility was increased to 7,000 soldiers in 1605, the highest rank
anybody could achieve except for the son of the Emperor. Interestingly, Emperor Akbar referred
to Raja Man Singh I as son. He led the Mughal Army against the Rana Pratap in the Battle of
Haldighati of 1576.
Singh I went on to become the governor of the states of Jharkhand, Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar in
1594. He served for 3 terms, during which he commissioned the construction of a palace, a
mosque, and a fort. Perhaps his most famous architectural achievement is the Krishna temple,
which stands at 7 floors high in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. Today, this temple stands at 4 stories.
8. Tansen -
Tansen was the Minister of Culture for the Mughal Empire and a renowned singer. He was
noticed by Emperor Akbar because of his service on the court of Ram Chand, Hindu King of
Gwalior. Emperor Akbar requested his presence in 1562 and King Chand sent Tansen with
additional gifts. Tansen was 60 years old. He was given the title Mian, which means learned
man.
Tansen is remembered for his contributions to Hindustani, North Indian classical music. His
compositions have led to the founding of several regional music schools in North India, known
as gharana. Additionally, he wrote 2 books about classical music: Sangita Sara and Sri Ganesh
Stotra.
7. Fakir Aziao-Din -
Fakir Aziao-Din was the Religious Minister for Akbars court. He provided religious advice to
the Emperor on a wide range of topics. In fact, Fakir means sage in Urdu. Not many records
exist about his birth, life, and death.
6. Faizi -
Faizi was the Minister of Education and a mentor to the sons of Emperor Akbar. He was also the
brother of another member of Akbars court, Abul Fazl ibn Mubarak (mentioned below). Faizi
was born in Agra in 1547 and educated by his father, a scholar of Islamic theology and Greek
literature and philosophy. He went on to become a renowned poet and scholar. Akbar recruited
him in 1566 to teach the royal sons. He later became the sadr (religious official) for the states of
Agra, Kalinjar, and Kalpi and in 1588, he became the courts poet laureate.
Faizi is remembered for his works of poetry, numbering in the hundreds. One of his most well
known books is Tabashir al-Subh, a collection of poems.
5. Mulla Do-Piyaza -
Mulla Do-Piyaza is often cited as the Minister of Home Affairs of Akbars court. The person in
this position is in charge of the countrys internal security, namely, the police force. However,
many scholars believe that Do-Piyaza is a fictional character.
He plays a part in several folk stories. Mulla Do-Piyaza is always a witty character against
Birbal, the Foreign Minister of Akbars court. He was first mentioned in these folk tales during
the late 19th century.
4. Raja Birbal -

Raja Birbal was the Foreign Minister on Akbars court. He was born in 1528 to a Hindu Brahmin
family with experience in poetry and literature. Birbal grew up and became famous by writing
music and poetry. Before serving on Akbars court, he was on the court of King Ram Chand.
Akbar appointed him sometime between 1556 and 1562 as the poet laureate. He went on to serve
Akbar as a religious and military advisor for around 30 years. He and Akbar became very close,
a fact that caused rivalry among Birbal and his fellow courtiers. Birbal became the only Hindu to
convert to Din-i Ilahi, the religion created by Akbar.
In 1586, Birbal led a military campaign in northwest India, where he was fatally wounded. Folk
tales emerged about Birbal toward the end of Akbars reign. In these tales, Birbal was portrayed
as clever, outsmarting other court members and the Emperor himself. He has been immortalized
in books, plays, and movies during the 20th century.
3. Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana -
Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana was the Defense Minister on Emperor Akbars court. He was born
in 1556 to Bairam Khan, a guardian and mentor to Akbar. His father was later killed and Akbar
brought both Abdul and his mother to the royal court and arranged his marriage to the daughter
of a member of Mughal nobility. After this, the second wife of Abduls father married Akbar,
making Abdul his stepson.
When Akbars son, Jahangir, took the throne, Abdul also served on his court. Abdul Rahim is
remembered for several accomplishments, including: 2 books on astrology, a translation of
Babars memoirs, and numerous dohas (a genre of poetry). His tomb is located in New Delhi; he
originally had it built for his wife.
2. Raja Todar Mal -
Raja Todar Mal was the Finance Minister of Akbars court. When he was very young, he lost his
father which left him with little means for survival. He began his career as a writer while still
young. Later in life, Sher Shah Suri gave him the responsibility of building a fort in Punjab.
Emperor Akbar overthrew Suri and placed Raja Todar Mal in charge of Agra. He went on to
become the governor of Gujarat.
Todar Mal is remembered for improving the financial system of the Mughal Empire. He did this
by implementing a land surveying system, standard weights and measurements, and revenue
districts. His systems are still in use today.
1. Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak -
Abul Fazl ibn Mubarak was the Prime Minister, known as Grand Vizier, of Akbars court. He
was born in 1551, the brother of Faizi (also on Akbars court). He began learning Arabic and
Islamic teachings at an early age. Akbar appointed him to the court in 1575 and Abul Fazl ibn
Mubarak had a significant influence on Akbars religious beliefs. Under Mubaraks guidance,
Akbar became more ideologically liberal.
He is remembered for his book, the Akbarnama, an account of the reign of Emperor Akbar.