Explanation:

- Surdas was a devotional singer and poet, known for his bhajans and compositions praising Lord Krishna. Although he lived during the late 15th and early 16th centuries, which overlaps slightly with the early Mughal period, his influence was earlier than the time of Emperor Akbar.

- Baiju Bawra was a legendary musician noted for his contributions to Hindustani classical music. He is often associated with Akbar's reign due to his fame for engaging in musical duels with Tansen, one of Akbar's court musicians.

- Ramdas, not widely recognized as a court musician in the Mughal empire like Tansen, was more a spiritual poet and saint.

- Option 1: Akbar is the most relevant option as both Baiju Bawra and the legendary stories attribute their fame around Akbar's era.