Birbal, famous in popular tales for his wit and wisdom, served as an advisor and courtier in the darbar of which Mughal emperor?

Introduction / Context:
Birbal is a legendary figure in Mughal history and folklore, known for his cleverness and wise counsel to the emperor. Many school stories recount his exchanges with the ruler. This question checks whether you can correctly connect Birbal with the Mughal emperor under whom he actually served as a trusted courtier and advisor.

Given Data / Assumptions:

- The person in question is Birbal, celebrated for wit and wisdom. - He was an advisor and courtier in a Mughal emperor’s darbar. - The options list Babur, Akbar, Aurangzeb, and Jahangir.

Concept / Approach:
Birbal’s full name was Mahesh Das, and he rose to prominence in the court of Akbar. He was one of the Navaratnas, the nine jewels, in Akbar’s court. Folklore stories about Akbar and Birbal highlight their relationship and Birbal’s role as a witty problem solver. Babur and Humayun ruled earlier, and Aurangzeb and Jahangir ruled later. The association of Akbar with Birbal is so strong that remembering the pair Akbar Birbal is usually enough to answer the question.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Birbal is almost always mentioned as Akbar’s favourite courtier in popular stories. Step 2: Recognise that the Navaratnas, including Birbal, belonged to Akbar’s reign. Step 3: Babur was the founder of the Mughal Empire and did not have Birbal as a close advisor. Step 4: Jahangir and Aurangzeb came after Akbar and had different sets of courtiers and advisors. Step 5: Therefore, the only correct answer is Akbar.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical accounts and popular retellings agree that Birbal held the title of a high ranking noble under Akbar and was involved in military campaigns as well as court debates. Even though many folk stories are exaggerated, they consistently place him in Akbar’s darbar. No reliable source links him as a principal advisor to Babur, Jahangir, or Aurangzeb. This confirms that Akbar is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Babur: Founder of the Mughal Empire, but his brief reign did not include Birbal as a central figure in his court.
Aurangzeb: A later emperor known for a different style of rule, not associated with Birbal in historical or popular narratives.
Jahangir: Akbar’s son, who had his own courtiers but is not widely linked with Birbal as a key advisor.

Common Pitfalls:
Because several Mughal emperors are studied together, some learners may misplace famous personalities across different reigns. Another pitfall is over relying on scattered folk tales without checking which emperor is consistently paired with Birbal. Fixing the phrase Akbar Birbal in memory is a simple way to keep this association clear.

Final Answer:
Birbal served as an advisor and courtier in the darbar of Akbar.