THE NINE GEMS

As a child, Akbar had stayed in Persia when Humayun was exiled from Delhi. This gave him a chance to be acquainted with the Persian style of art and painting.

He cultivated the beauty of Persian architecture by making buildings and monuments in the Persian style.

It is said that he had two hundred painters in his court in Delhi. He also encouraged poets, writers and artists. He admired and respected talented people.

Once Akbar disguised himself and went to hear the holy songs sung by Meera Bai in the temple of Lord Krishna.

Akbar is known for the extra-ordinary talented people he had in his court.

He had nine extremely talented people in his court, whom he greatly admired.

They were called the Nine Gems or the Navratans of Akbar's court, and teh emperor was proud of these people.

One of them was Tansen who was blessed with extraordinary singing skills.

It is siad theat Tansen could make earthen lamps light up while singing the notes of Raag Deepak.

Under the open sky, Tansen would sit and sing in the courtyard of the fort. There would be water all around his seat.

Emperor Akbar and the nobles sat in the courtyard around the pool of water. The royal ladies would sit behind a curtain. And everyone would listen to the great Tansen sing.

He would feel very hot after singing the notes of Raag Deepak; there was a danger of his getting burnt.

So he would sing the notes of Raag Megh Malhar, and it would start raining to cool him.

Birbal, whose name was Mahesh Das, was another gem of his court. Akbar admired Birbal a lot, as he would keep him in a cheerful mood through his wit. Akbar loved to ask riddles and it was only Birbal, with his sharp wit, who could give correct answers.

Akbar sought Birbal's advice on important matters as he was very clever.

There is a grand palace of Birbal in Fatehpur Sikri which reflects of respect he got from Akbar.