One of the phenomenal, perhaps most exemplary rulers that India has ever seen is Akbar The Great, under whom the diverse country saw magnanimous progress in the financial, cultural, and social specters. But it would be folly to think that Akbar did it all alone. In ensuring the great strides of progress as India saw, the nine jewels that adorned the Emperor’s court had immense and indispensable roles to play.
Who were these NAVARATNAS?
1) ABU’L-FAZL IBN MUBARAK
Best known for writing the Akbarnama, the three-volume official account of Akbar’s reign, Abul Fazl was the grand vizier of Akbar’s court and one of his most cherished courtiers. Immensely knowledgeable and a man of culture, he entered Akbar’s court in 1575.
Abul Fazl was extremely influential in the governance of the Mughal empire under Akbar. His divine theory of “padshahat” espoused the concept of royalty and established both the agency and responsibility of the ruler in maintaining peace and harmony among his subjects. Fazl was extremely instrumental in formulating Akbar’s doctrine of Sulh-I-Kul or the Doctrine of peace which forbade discrimination on the basis of caste, religion, and class. It instead upheld the assemblage of the good values of all religions that in his view would promote peace. Apart from Akbarnama which was his magnum opus, Fazl’s other phenomenal works include Ain-I – Akbari, (the administrative report of Akbar’s Empire), the Ruqa at (a collection of private letters from Abul Fazl to Akbar’s queens, sons, and daughters) and the Insha-i-Abul Fazl (the official desp[atches written by Fazl).
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2)RAJA TODAR MAL
The finest Finance Minister in perhaps all of the Mughal Empire, Raja Todar Mal was one of the most trusted officials of Emperor Abu’l-Fath Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, popularly known as Akbar the Great.
Having humble beginnings, Todar Mal gradually worked up his way first in the Sur Dynasty under the powerful Sher Shah Suri. When the Sur dynasty was overthrown by the Mughals, Akbar incorporated Todar Mal in the services of the Mughal Empire.
Todar Mal discharged efficient services as finance minister under Akbar that proved revolutionary. He overhauled the entire revenue system of the Empire, introduced standard weights and measures, a land survey and settlement system, revenue districts, and officers. He took a careful survey of crop yields and prices cultivated for a 10 year period and on this basis tax was fixed on each crop in cash. He introduced a proper and methodical Revenue system and divided the entire empire into revenue categories. Many of his measures like the Patwari revenue system is still in vogue in many places of India.
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3) TANSEN
One of the stalwarts in the Hindustani Classical Music, Tansen or Ramtanu is recorded in Mughal history as intriguing and legendary. Beginning his career in the court and patronage of the Hindu King of Rewa, Raja Ramchandra Singh, Tansen’s widespread reputation earned him an invitation to join the musicians at the Mughal court.
Initially reluctant to go, Tansen conceded under the request of Raja Ramchandra Singh and entered Akbar’s court at the age of 60.
There have been numerous legends that have surfaced around Tansen, which although lacks historical accuracy, inspires awe all the same. One story is of his bringing down the rains with Raga Megh Malhar. Another legend propounds that he had the ability to bring wild animals to listen with attention. Correct or not, this man’s musical abilities can hardly be questioned. In fact, he was central to create the Hindustani classical ethos, and many gharanas of Hindustani classical Music claim some connection to his lineage. Such was his compositions and so powerful their influence that Akbar bestowed him with the title Mian.
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4) RAJA BIRBAL
Akbar Birbal stories are perhaps one of the most celebrated folklores of India. These folktales Although these folktales do lack historical verification, these stories are indeed able to express the extreme close equation that Akbar enjoyed with Birbal.
Born Mahesh Das in a Hindu family, Birbal was extremely learned and he specialized in music and poetry in the Braj language that made him famous.
He entered Akbar’s court as early as 1556 and soon became one of the Emperor’s utmost favorites. Akbar bestowed him with the title of Raja and gave him the name Birbal. Birbal with his sheer sense of humor, impeccable wit, and with all the worldly knowledge became the Kavi Priya of the court. Initially a court jest, Birbal was later sent on many important missions by Akbar. He was among a large army sent to aid Husain Quli Khan against an attack from Akbar’s brother Hakim Mirza. He later became the main commander of the army in the Mughal Empire.
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5) SHAIKH ABU-AL-FAIZ IBN MUBARAK
An acclaimed poet and scholar of the Mughal court, Abu Al Faiz wrote under the pen name Faizi.
A man of deep knowledge, he was initially appointed as the tutor of the Emperor’s sons but later ascended to the position of one of Akbar’s closest confidantes and advisors.
Throughout his tenure, Faizi produced many celebrated works. In 1588 he became the Malik-ush-shu’ara of Akbar’s court. His rich collection of poems comprises qasidas, ghazals, and elegies and often championed pantheism. Two of his exemplary works include the Markaz ul- Advar and the Nal o Daman. He was respected immensely in court and was often sent to other regimes as the Mughal envoy.
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6) ABDUL RAHIM KHAN-I-KHANAN
Abdul Rahim, one of the most revered poets and military generals of the Mughal empire was the son of Akbar’s guardian Bairam Khan, After the latter’s death, Akbar assumed the guardianship of Rahim.
Abdul Rahim is known for his Hindi dohe and books on astrology, Rahim was extremely close to Akbar and enjoyed a close relationship with him.
Rahim was a celebrated scholar. He translated the Baburnama from Chagatai language to the Persian language. He was also a noted military person and was sent to deal with the Rajput forces of Maharana Pratap after the latter had managed to restore the territories lost in haldighati. However, he was defeated by Pratap’s son and thereafter he retired from military life and dedicated his life entirely to cultural development.
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7) RAJA MAN SINGH I
One of the most valiant and trusted military Generals of Akbar, Raja Man Singh led the Mughal army into various successful battles and thus was highly cherished by Akbar who called him Farzand.
Man Singh led many successful expeditions and won most for which he received many titles and positions by Akbar. He in face received the 7000 mansabdari which was the highest for any general outside the royal family. As the governor of Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha, Man Singh further expanded the Mughal Empire by defeating and subduing old kingdoms. He was also greatly culturally inclined. He undertook many architectural renovations in his tenures and is credited with constructing many temples of Krishna, some of which still exist today.
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8) FAKIR AZIAO DIN
Fakir Aziao Din is regarded as one of the legendary mystics who gave religious advice to Akbar. Not much is known about him. However existing records point to his enigma and his high position in Akbar’s court. He was honored with a gem of 30 crores during Akbar’s time.
9) MULLA DO PIYAZA
The advisor and vizier of Akbar, Mulla Do- Piyaza is the subject of various folktales. He is often depicted as Birbal’s Muslim counterpart and as a proponent of Orthodox Islam. However, Mulla do piyaza is hardly referred to in Mughal history and thus many consider him to be a fictional character who actually did not exist in real life.
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