The Dishonest Judge: Birbal’s Ingenious Solution

Once, in the vast Mughal Empire ruled by Emperor Akbar, a network of judges was appointed to resolve local disputes. Among them was an elderly judge known for his long-standing service and apparent trustworthiness.

One day, a woman approached this judge with a bag of gold coins and said, “Your Honor, this is my life’s savings. I am embarking on a pilgrimage and cannot carry this wealth with me. Please safeguard it until I return.”

The judge agreed and took the bag. A month later, the woman returned and asked for her bag. The judge handed it over without hesitation. However, when the woman opened it at home, she was horrified to find the bag filled with stones instead of gold.

Outraged, she returned to the judge and accused him of theft. The judge coldly denied the allegation. “You must have filled the bag with stones yourself,” he said. “Now you’re trying to blame me.”

Left with no choice, the woman took her case to Emperor Akbar’s court.

Akbar Seeks Birbal’s Help

Hearing the woman’s plight, Akbar was shocked but cautious. The judge was a respected figure, and without solid proof, Akbar could not accuse him. He summoned Birbal and explained the situation.

Birbal listened attentively and then said, “Your Majesty, I will resolve this by tomorrow. Tonight, observe your bedsheet closely before you sleep.”

Curious but trusting Birbal, Akbar followed his advice. The next morning, he noticed his bedsheet looked as fresh and new as it had the previous night. He reported this to Birbal, who smiled and said, “I’ve found our answer. Give me some time to present the evidence.”

Birbal’s Clever Investigation

Later that day, Birbal brought an old tailor to the court. The tailor confessed, “Yes, Your Majesty, the judge recently brought me a torn bag to stitch. I found it odd that he had filled it with stones before sealing it.”

Birbal turned to the woman and asked, “Is this the same bag?” The woman confirmed it with certainty.

The judge was summoned and confronted with the tailor’s testimony. He had no defense. Akbar ordered the judge to return the stolen gold and sentenced him to fifty lashes for his dishonesty.

Birbal’s Insight

After the judgment, Akbar asked Birbal how he uncovered the truth. Birbal explained, “When you told me about your freshly restored bedsheet, I deduced that you had a skilled tailor in the palace who could make old things look new. I spoke to your cleaner, who directed me to this tailor. Knowing he was likely the same person the judge would have approached to repair the torn bag, I confirmed my suspicion.”

Moral of the Story:

No matter how high one’s position, dishonesty will eventually be exposed. Truth and wisdom always triumph over deceit.

This tale showcases Birbal’s sharp intellect and reminds us of the importance of integrity, even in positions of power. Akbar, once again, lauded Birbal’s brilliance, cementing his place as the most trusted advisor in the kingdom.