Amar Chitra Katha: the Glorious Heritage of IndiaBIRBAL TO THE RESCUE The wit and wisdom of Birbal had endeared him not only to Akbar, but also to a vast majority of the subjects of the Mughai empire. He had the rare distinction of achieving immense popularity during his lifetime, next only to'that of Akbar. He was a good administrator, a good soldier and perhaps what pleased Akbar the most—a good jester. Less known is ne fact that ‘he was also a good poet. He wrote under the pen-name, "Brahma" and a collection of his poems is preserved in the Bharatpur Museum. Though popularly known as Birbal, his real name was Maheshdas. It is believed that he belonged to a poor brahmin family of Trivikrampur (now known as Tikawanpur) on the banks of the River Yamuna. But it was only by virtue of his sharp intellect that he rose to be a minister at the court of Akbar. His phenomenal success made many courtiers jealous of him and if the popular accounts are to be believed, they were ever busy plotting against him. According to popular legend even his death, while he was on an expedition to Afghanistan at the head of a large military force, was due to treachery. Though he was killed in the battle, the expedition was successful and subdued the turbulent province. Akbar was so deeply moved, when he heard the news of Birbal's death, that he burst forth into a couplet and lamented, "Birbal, you never hurt the helpless. You always gave them whatever you had. I am helpless now and yet you have left nothing for me." Akbar had found in Birbal a true friend and sympathiser. Of the handful of followers of the Din-e-Elahi, the new faith preached by Akbar, there was only one Hindu, Birbal. Script: Illustrations Meera Ugra Ram Waeerkar AMAR CHITRA KATHA The Route to Your Roots Over 78 million copies have been sold so far Editor : Anant Pai ited, 1980. Reprinted October, 1997 ISBN 81-7508-026-4 Published by Anant Pai for India Book House Limited, Fleet Building, Mathuradas Vasanji Road, Marol Naka, Andheri (E), Mumbs 159 and printed by him at Tritop Art-n-Print, A/57, 1st Floor, Bhandup Industrial Estate, Pannalal Silk Mills Compound, IBS. Marg, Bhandup (W), Mumbai - 400 078. © India Book House LisONE DAY, AN ENVOY FROM THE COURT OF THE KING OF CEYLON CAME TO AKBAR’S COURT ON A STRANGE M/SSION. UAHANPANAH, YOU HAVE MANY WISE MEN AT YOUR COURT.’ | HAVE BEEN SENT BY MY KING TO REQUEST YOU FOR A POTFUL OF WISDOM . POTFUL OF wispom 2] HAT A RIDICULOUS |) REQUEST! \| (THE KING OF CEYLON )| | 1S uy, NG BAFFLE iM li | | AND HE'LL SUCCEED. NO ) | |{ ONE, NOT EVEN BIRBAL, '\ CAN GET US OUT oF ”/ > Qn THIS ONE. _ \ veal an Mie) | yt | Eeamar chitra katha BUT IT’LL TAKE VM WILLING TIME — PERHAPS TO WAIT - A FEW WEEKS:<4| Z ; ) . JAHANPANAH, TI WE COULD s }) ie —, EASILY SPARE g : Z e SOME os SS ih CASS ra we Ss DON’T WORRY, JAHANPANAH . THE KING OF CEYLON SHALL HAVE HIS POTFUL OF WISDOM. WELL, BIRBAL+ | HOPE YoU KNOW SG WHAT YOURE DOING . OUR. PRESTIGE IS AT STAKE. S y —— THAT EVENING, BIRBAL SENT [ BRING THE ATTENDANT SOON CAME BACK | WITH THE POTS. os AH! THERE YOU FOR HIS ATTENDANT. ME A FEW CLAY POTS ite = ARE | GOOD - FOLLOW Ni Ow + rampant a ME TO THE PUMPKIN ee NECKS.BIRBAL TO THE RESCUE GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE AT THE PUMPKIN PATCH — BIRBAL CAREFULLY PLACED THE POT OVER A PUMPKIN FLOWER - WHEN THE ATTENDANT FINSHED PLACING THE LAST POT — KEEP AN EYE ON THESE,AND DON'T LET THEM BE NOW PLACE THE OTHER POTS IN THE SAME MANNER. "LL HAVE. THEM COLLECTEDomar civtra katha __{ HAVE you maDE \ YES, JAHANPANAH. ANY PROGRESS, ] 1M ALMOST BIRBAL © THROUGH WITH = | THE TASK. | sHouLD BE ABLE TO HAVE THE POT FILLED IN... SAY. A FORTNIGHT. { YOU SHALL BE HANDSOMELY HA — Ni : ey ARE 1 a REWARDED FOR ALMOST AS \ = YOUR LABOUR. BIG AS THE ‘ = ; POTS ! GooD! WISDOM IS READY, }||); JAHANPANAH. —Sas eek nee eon BIRBAL CLAPPED HIS HANDS —|/ THE NEXT MOMENT, HIS ATTEND= [Vere you are. \- ANT WALKED SOLEMNLY IN, S—] you MAY TAKE rRAY WITH A POT ++:OUR PRECIOUS POT MUST BEBIRBAL TO THE RESCUE DON AS THE ENVOY LEFT =| BIRBAL,1 AM Curious | T TO HAVE A LOOK AT THE FRUIT OF WISDOM. YOu SAID YOU HAVE FIVE MORE. OTHER POTS WERE BROUGHT, IKED INTO ONE OF THEM... s z A HA! HA! HA! THE FRUIT OF WISDOM INDEED! IT WILL CERTAINLY MAKE THE KING OF CEYLON A WISER MAN, THOUGH !OUR EMPEROR IS KIND AND GENEROUS . HE WILL HELP You. DO AS | SAY. mY SON HAD SERVED IN THE ROYAL ARMY FOR TWENTY YEARS. BUT NOW, HE IS DEAD AND WE HAVE NO ONE TO TURN TO! HER WIDOWED DAUGHTER -IN-LA) AME JO BIRBAL - THE SWORD WAS HANDED OVER TO THE EMPEROR . HE EXAMINED 17 CAREFULLY. JAHANPANAH, THIS SWORD ONCE WIELDED IT’S OLD BY MY SON HAS WON MANY BATTLES FOR AND RUSTY... YOU. SO, PLEASE OF NO USE To us KEEP IT IN THE WHATSOEVER.RETURN IT TO HERS AND GIVE HER FIVE GOLD COINS FOR HER TROUBLE. a a THE sworD, ||, JAHANPANAH?L —WHY, BIRBAL , WHAT'S WRONG? NOTHING , JAHAN- PANAH - IT’S ONLY THAT ---1 WAS CONFIDENT THE SWORD WOULD HAVE TURNED amar chitra katha YES, JAHANPANAH . WHEN EVEN THE PARAS *% A MERE. q ++-’/M SURPRISED THAT WHILE PASSING THROUGH GIVE THE WOMAN GOLD EQUAL TO THE WEIGHT OF THE * A LEGENDARY STONE CREDITED WITH THE POWER OF CHANGING IRON INTO WILL BE SAFE HERE. "ON MY RETURN, WHEN | WENT TO THE MENPICANT TO COLLECT THE MONEY —”" WHAT MONEY ARE YOU E TALKING ABOUT 2BURIED IT! FIND J IT AND TAKE O HOLY ONE, MY COINS | WHE ARE MY COINS? /EGONE, WOMAN. DON?T BOTHER ME WITH SUCH WORLPLY MATTERS.BUT SIR,| DID }BURY IT HERE... THREE MONTHS AGO... IN YOUR PRESENCE! QUITE POSSIBLE . BUT 1AM BLIND To WHAT GOES ON IN THIS MATERIALISTIC MY MIND HAS ONLY ONE THOUGHT—RAMA; _—|. MY EARS HEAR ONLY ONE SOUND —RAMA; MY EYES BEHOLD | CAME AWAY . WHAT ELSE COULD COULD THE MENDICANT HAVE STOLEN YOUR COINS® /). 1AM SURE HE HAS. BUT | HAVE NOBIRBAL TO THE RESCUE b WELL, WE’LL SOON FIND OUT. LISTEN CAREFULLY... GOOD. NOW HIDE BEHIND THIS TREE. AND REMEM- BER, YOU MUST WALK INTO THE HUT ONLY WHEN | FALL AT HIS FEET FOR THE SECOND TIME: NOT A MOMENT EARLIER NOR 1 WILL ENTER THE HUT AT THE EXACT MOMENT,amar chitra katha T HAVE HEARD PEOPLE TALK ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL EMINENCE. TODAY | HAVE HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE OF RECEIVING YOUR BLESSINGS. Y | WONDER WHAT HE HAS. IN THE CASKET. GOLD 2 JEWELS? may YOU LIVE LONG, MY CHILD. NO, SIR. YOU MUSTN'T. YOU ARI A MAN OF GOD. WHAT !.1S HE GOING AWAY WITH THE HOLY ONE ,| HATE TO TROUBLE YOU WITH THE PROB- [SPEAK UP, CHILD, | LET ME HELP LEMS WE FOOLISH | SHOULDN'T CASKETE MORTALS HAVE. BURDEN You BUT... i WITH WORLDLY WORRIES. “ BUT...BUT WHO ELSE CAN | TRUST IN THIS WICKED, WICKED WORLD @ PLEASE GUIDE ME. E i} WAVERING. 1 MUST LAY HANDS* ONBIRBAL TO THE RESCUE jf 9 HOLY ONE, MY CHILD, \ CONFIDE IN ME.UN- BURDEN YOURSELF. |) 1 WILL HELP You. IT 1S MY DUTY TO DO SO. | HAVE TO LEAVE FOR AJMER TO MEET MY BROTHER... MAY | LEAVE THESE PRECIOUS JEWELS. IN YOUR CARE 2 PRECIOUS gEWELS! JUST AS | THOUGHT! CHILD, THE THOUGHT OF WEALTH 1S REPULSIVE TO ME. BUT... BUT... “PVE PROMISED TO HELP YOU. AND A MAN OF GOD CANNOT GO ‘BACK ON HIS WORD. SINCE | DO_NOTamar chitra katha al\ Za TTT WHY DID THIS WRETCH HAVE TO COME HERE THANK GOD you’RE SHOULD | LOSE YI = 7 BACK! I'VE BEEN THINKING THOSE PRECIOUSYOU MUST HAVE SPOT. WHY DON’T YOU LOOK FOR IT IN THAT CORNER? FORGOTTEN THE EXACT BIRBAL TO TYE RESCUE THE WOMAN DID AS SHE WAS TOLD. LATER — YOU WERE -RIGHT, O HOLY ONE! 1T WAS IN THAT & CORNER! FOOLISH. WOMAN | KEEPS HER MONEY IN ONE PLACE AND LOOKS FOR IT IN ANOTHER! MONEY CAUSES WORRY. WORRY WEAKENS YOUR MEMORY. AND YOU LOSE YOUR BALANCE. WOULD YOU BELIEVE IT 2 THIS WOMAN EVEN ACCUSED. ME OF STEALING HER MONEY!BIRBAL TO THE RESCUE b |THE PERFECT PORTRAIT ONE DAY, BIRBAL WAS SURPRISED TO FINP THE NORMALLY CHEERFUL COURT ARTIST LOOKING GLUM . BuT YOU ARE THE BEST ARTIST THE COURT HAS EVER KNOWN . | DON’T UNDERSTAND... YOU WILL, WHEN YVE TOLD You THE WHOLE WHAT’S THE MATTER, MY FRIEND 2 THE ARTIST TOOK BIRBAL TO HIS HOUSE AND AREN'T THESE SHOWED HIM FIVE PORTRAITS. OF THE SAME MAN & THEY ARE OF A RICH NOBLE.» “A MONTH AGO HE THREW ME § 3"HE POSED ANP / GOT DOWN TO WORK, @ CHALLENGE.” AT LAST —~ To 1 BET, YOU CAN" CREATE AN THAT’S ALL.ILL GIVE THE PORTRAIT A FEW FINISHING a) TOUCHES AND BRING IT TO you TOMORROW. "ON THE FOLLOWING BAY, WHEN | HANDED ‘ put YOu DID THE PORTRAIT TO HIM, CONFIDENT OF WINNING THE BET —" HAVE ONE THIS WON'T DO! WHEN YOU 7 C POSED FOR DS IT ISN'T AN EXACT: Frere Tok ) LIKENESS .1 DON’T 1 HAVE A BEARD! - A BET 1S A BET! AND AN EXACT \ og PLEASE GIVE LIKENESS AN EXACT LIKENESS! ME ANOTHER ALL RIGHT ! CHANCE. . HERE | YOU MAY KEEP THIS AS. : you may TRY AGAIN.BIRBAL TO THE RESCUE "HE POSED FOR ME ONCE MORE, WHEN | TOOK THE FINISHED Ve ; EVE a PORTRAIT TO tum —" OUSTACHE € | YOU'VE BUT SHAVED IT WHY THIS OFF Top, MOUSTACHE ©, ae NO MORE OF YouR NO! PLEASE CHEEK, YOUNG MAN! GIVE_ ME. ANOTHER THE COURT WILL CHANCE! SOON KNOW WHAT KIND OF ARTIST YOU ARE! . [{ OH! WHAT A SUCH SITTINGS, FOOL I'VE DID | REALISE THAT | BEEN! HOw HE WAS OUT TO COULD |... RUIN my REPUTATION |amar chitra katha CALM YOURSELF, MY A FEW DAYS LATER — PRIEN?. ALL (6 :NOT OH, IT’S YOU AGAIN " WHAT HAVE YOU eee age COME WITH Now? Jes ANOTHER USE- LAUGH! LESS PORTRAITS) WHEN THE NOBLE UNWRAPPED THE PARCEL GAMES WITH ME! THIS IS NO (ca DARE YOU PLAY PORTRAIT ! IT’S... A MIRROR! AN EXACT LIKENESS OF YOURSELF | ISN’T THAT WHAT YOU WANTED, MY FRIEND 2 THE NOBLE SHEEPISHLY ACCEPTED DEFEAT AND THE ARTIST BECAME HIS CHEER- FUL SELF AGAIN. 24IF BIRBAL 5 | NEIGHBOUR Haale WEAKNESS, IT WAS TO Hi HIS FORTUNE TOLD.amar chitra katha | READ HIS HOROSCOPE HE THREW HE DID. HE AND PREDICTED THAT you OUT, = COULDN'T FACE HIS NEAR AND DEAR DIDN'T HE 2 THE TRUTH, ONES WOULD DIE 5 BEFORE HIM. AND THEN... HAVE MADE IT MORE PLEASANT! WELL TO SPEAK THE TRUTH BUT... PLL TELL you HOW. LISTEN...IRBAL TO THE BI RESCUE NOW DO AS I'VE THE NEXT DAY — CERTAINLY , ee \ CERTAINLY, GOOD SIR! Cy Yr ul we i Iamar chitra katha - YOU'LL LIVE NEVER MIND! WHY LONGER THAN ALL TALK OF INAUSPICIOUS, YOUR NEAR AND MATTERS AT THIS DEAR ONES! REALLY © AND AUSPICIOUS MOMENT 2 . THAT RASCAL WAIT. 1 HAVE SOME- eAD Y YESTERDAY THING FOR You. HE WENT IN AND CAME OUT WITH A BAG OF ‘ | NEVER DREAMT, HuZUR,Y COINS. THAT THE MANNER IN DO COME AGAIN WHENEVER YOU HAVE THE TIME. Ri IMPORTANT THAN THE READING ITSELF! 1 WILL. MOST CERTAINLY!pS XE BES Y, AKBAR'S FAVOURITE ee | ATTENDANT CAME TO BIRBAL- iE c HE WAS ALMOST IN TEARS - HUZUR | HUZURT YOU'VE “GOT TO HELP ME | ONLY YOU CAN ‘SAVE MY LIFE. 1... THE EMPEROR... “A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE EMPEROR GAVE ME A PARROT.* [17'S A VERY SPECIAL BIRD; A HOLY MAN? GIFT TO ME. TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. SHOULD ANYONE BRING ME NEWS, OF ITS DEATH, PLL BEHEAD HIM! IT SUDDENLY DIED. WHAT SHALL | DO? EMPEROR, AND YET SAVE MY HEAD!‘A HOLY BIRD, |) IT 1S, JAHANPANAH. INDEED. HA! | HAD GONE TO SEE IT. HATHA! /\ AND WHAT DO YOu PHA (\ THINK IT WAS LATER, AT AKBAR’S COURT — UAHANPANAH, DO you REMEMBER THE PARROT THAT FAKIR GAVE youe IT’S A HOLY BIRD INDEED! SO THE TWO WENT 70 THE ATTENDANT’S MEDITATING ! WITH ITS. 7 HOUSE. WHEN AKBAR SAW THE BIRD — EYES CLOSED AND ITS HEAD TURNED SkY— WARDS! BIRBAL you MAY BE eC WISE;AND i CLEVER! , WY BUT THERE IS A j LIMIT. AND DON’T TELL ME. YOU DIDN'T KNOW ITZ SAVED YET ANOTHER HEAD, BIRBAL. AND V’ GRATEFUL > | DID. BUT 1 DIDN'T WANT TO BE BEHEADED! {‘amar-chitra katha AKBAR THE HUNTER THE KIN / HIS MEN HAVE ORDERS TO CREATE MORE AND MORE NEW FORESTS, THE KING WANTS yen] 7 Vu TRY JUNGLES TO HUNT El AND Do WHAT IN fi 1 CAN. ON THE NEXT HUNTING RP AH! THIS 15 SO EXHILA- RATING. DON?T BIRBAL IS SO WISE. HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE OLIT WHAT THEY ARE SAYING. YOUR MAJESTY MAY NOT LIKE JO HEAR IT.M TO MARRY ONE R BOYS TO A OWL FROM THE NEIGHBOURING } THEY ARE ARRANGING FOR THE MARRIAGE. BUT THERE IS A | DISPUTE BETWEEN THE GROOMS FATHER AND THE BRIDE’S FATHER THE BOY’S FATHER. IS DEMANDING A GiFT OF FORTY FORESTS. ~-_ HOWEVER, AFTER | A FEW YEARS, HE PROMISES TO GIFT EIGHTY FORESTS 10 THE COUPLE HOW 2 IF HE DOESN'T HAVE FORTY FORESTS NOW, HOW WILL HE GIVE PouBLE THE ~ LATER®, HE KEEPS CONVERTING VILLAGES INTO. JUNGLES FOR HIS HUNTING PLEASURE SO THE NUMBER OF FORESTS IS SURE TO DOUBLE IN THE FUTURE | AKBAR UNDERSTOOD THE MESSAGER EIRBAL WAS TRYING 70 CONVEY. YOU ARE RIGHT, BIRBAL IT 1S SELFISH OF METO DESTROY VILLAGE AFTER VILLAGE FOR MY HUNTING PLEASUREThe fectival season is her Add some festive joy the, fun and celebrations PN or SS) Prelate of all-new Folens | Fetal PN Ein and Pree elkdHOW TO USE THE BIG BABOL TATTOO Remove the top ‘See. You don't layer.