Navaratnas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
See Navaratna for the talisman, set of stones and gems.
Navaratnas (Sanskrit dvigu nava-ratna- "nine gems") was a term applied to a group of nine extraordinary people in a king's court in India. Two such well-known groups are Akbar's darbar and that of Vikramaditya.
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[edit] In the court of Vikramaditya
Nine gems during the reign of Vikramaditya:
- Dhanvantari
- Kshapanaka
- Amarasimha
- Sankabhata
- Vetalabhatta
- Ghatakharpara
- Varahamihira
- Vararuchi
- Kalidasa, the most notable among all of them.
[edit] In the court of Akbar
The Mughal Emperor Akbar's Navratnas were:
- Abul-Fazel - Akbar's chief advisor and author of Akbarnama,
- Faizi - poet laureate of Akbar's Court.
- Miyan Tansen - Legendary Musician, well known for his voice and music.
- Birbal - known for great wit
- Raja Todar Mal- was Akbar’s finance minister.
- Raja Man Singh- The Kacchwaha Rajput Raja of Amber(Jaipur) was Akbar's trusted general and Commander-in-chief.
- Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana- was a poet and son of Akbar’s trusted protector and caretaker, Bairam Khan.
- Fakir Aziao-Din - Was a mystic and advisor to the Emperor.
- Mullah Do Piaza- Was an advisor.
[edit] Similar Groups
Many famous emperors in India had courtiers labelled in similar ways. For example, the valuable members of the court of Krishna Deva Raya were termed Astadiggajas, the eight elephants. Ashtapradhan was the title given to the council of Shivaji.
[edit] Modern usage
A number of institutions in modern India are popularly named for this historic group, particularly public-sector units that perform well. As on 25.6.2007 [1] the list included following PSUs:
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
- National Thermal Power Corporation
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
- GAIL
- Indian Oil Corporation
- BPCL
- HPCL
- Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- Power Finance Corporation (PFC)
- Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
