Question

There are many legends about the ‘nine gems’ in Akbar’s Court. These are popular tales and they may not have a historical basis. Can you name some of the nine gems and the stories associated with them?

Answer 1

Akbar was an ardent admirer of art and learning. His court was full of many scholars and talented artists. The Nine most learned men in his court were known as Navratnas.

1. Abul Fazal
2. Faizi Miyan
3. Tansen
4. Raja Birbal
5. Raja Todar Mal
6. Raja Man Singh
7. Abdul Rahim.Khan-I-Khana
8. Fakir Aziao-Din
9. Mirza Aziz Koka

Abul Fazal:	Abul Faz! was the chronicler of Akbamama in three volumes over seven years, the third volume is known as the Ain-i-Akbari.
Faizi:	Faizi was Abul Faz!' s brother, the poet laureate of Akbar. The name of the father of Abul Fazal and Faizi was Mubarak Nagori, a scholar in· the philosophy and literature of Greece as well as in Islamic theology.
Miyan Tansen:	Miyan Tansen was born as Tanna Mishra, in 1520. He was a disciple of Swami Haridas and later became a disciple of Hazrat Muhammad Ghaus (Gwalior). He was a court musician with the prince of Mewar and later was recruited by Akbar as his court musician.
Raja Birbal:	Raja Birbal, a poor Hindu Brahrnin Maheshdas was appointed to the court of Akbar for his intelligence and became the court jester. The name Raja Birbal was given by the Emperor. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly military and administrative. He was also a poet and his collections under the pen name "Brahma" are preserved in Bharatpur Museum. Raja Birbal died in battle, in an attempt to subdue unrest amongst Afghani tribes in Northwest India.
Raja Todar Mal:	Raja Todar Mal, a Hindu Khatri was Akbar's finance minister, who from 1560 onwards overhauled the revenue system in the kingdom.
Raja Man Singh:	Raja Man Singh, the prince of Amber was a trusted general in Akbar's army and was the grandson of Akbar's father-in-law Bharmal. Raja Man Singh was the foremost (7000 Mansabdari) and ablest among Akbar's military commanders and assisted Akbar in many fronts including holding off advancing Hakim (Akbar's half-brother) in Lahore. He was also the Mughal viceroy of Afghanistan, led campaigns in Bihar, Orissa, Deccan, and was also the viceroy of Bengal.
Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana:	Abdul Rahim KhanI-Khana, son of Akbar's trusted general and tutor. Best known for his Hindi couplets.
Fakir Aziao-Din:	Fakir Aziao-Din was a Sufi mystic and an advisor.
Mirza Aziz Koka:	Mirza Aziz Koka aka. Khan-i-Azam or Kotaltash was one of the leading nobles and also the foster brother of Akbar. He also served as a Subedar of Gujarat.