In February 1586, he led an army to crush an unrest in the north-west Indian subcontinent where he was killed along with many troops in an ambush by a rebel tribe.

Local folk tales emerged primarily in 19th century involving his interactions with Akbar, thus became even more of a semi-fictional legendary figure across the Indian subcontinent.

[2] He was educated in Hindi, Sanskrit and Persian, wrote prose, specialised in music and poetry in the Braj language, thus gaining fame.

Akbar gave titles to his Hindu subjects according to their traditions and S. H. Hodivala writes that it could have been taken from a character in the folk tale Vetal Panchvinshati.

Birbal also played the role of a religious advisor, military figure and close friend of the Emperor, serving him for 30 years.

[8][9] In 1572, he was among a large army sent to aid Husain Quli Khan against an attack from the Akbar's brother, Hakim Mirza, which was his first military role.

Despite having no military background, he often participated in Akbar's campaigns and was given leadership positions, like Todar Mal, who was an advisor in economic matters.

[9] Akbar had started a religion called Din-i-Ilahi, which acknowledged him as God's representative on earth and had a combination of Hindu and Muslim beliefs.

[2]: 30 The painting Akbari Nao Ratna in Victoria Hall, Kolkata depicts Birbal having a prominent position right next to Akbar.

Birbal was said to have received a two-storey house in Fatehpur Sikri within the palace complex, built close to Akbar's own chambers.

After troops sent to crush the unrest suffered losses, Akbar sent Birbal with reinforcements from where the Afghans were waiting in prepared positions in the hills.

[14][better source needed] They focus on how Birbal manages to outsmart envious courtiers who try to trap and portray him in poor light in front of Akbar, often in a humorous manner with him shown giving sharp and intelligent responses.

[2]: 32 However, when viewed within the context of folkloric literature, these stories, much like other similar tales like those of Krishnadevaraya and Tenali Rama, make fun of the human imperfections in the character of the king and then offer a corrective to his behaviour.

[2]: xiv In the folk tales, he is always portrayed as a pious Hindu, being younger than Akbar, and being morally strict in the midst of opposing Muslim courtiers, who are shown plotting against him; his success was only because of his skill and his intelligence.

[2] Akbar and Birbal folk tales are featured in Amar Chitra Katha and Chandamama[15] children's comics and many books are available containing these collections.