Karnad uses symbolism and imagery to reinforce the themes of the play. The city of Delhi, which Tughlaq wants to transform into a utopian capital, serves as a symbol of his ideals and aspirations. The experiment of transferring the capital to Daulatabad represents Tughlaq's desire to impose his will on reality, regardless of the costs.
The play is structured in thirteen scenes, tracking the Sultan's reign from his initial idealistic fervor to his eventual isolation and madness. Key plot points include:
In an era of rising authoritarianism, performative wokeness, and policy failures, the is startlingly fresh. When leaders promise "digital India" but forget electricity, or announce "demonetization" without currency, they channel Tughlaq’s token currency scheme.
"Tughlaq" has had a significant influence on Indian literature and theatre, and its legacy continues to be felt today. The play has been widely studied and performed, and its themes and characters continue to resonate with audiences. tughlaq by girish karnad text
The play's themes and characters continue to resonate today, making it a work of enduring relevance and importance. If you're interested in learning more about Indian theatre or Karnad's work, "Tughlaq" is definitely worth checking out.
The fort at Daulatabad is described as a "starved python," symbolizing the suffocating nature of Tughlaq’s power.
The play spans the latter half of Tughlaq’s reign, focusing on his most infamous administrative blunders: the shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad and the introduction of a token copper currency. On the surface, these moves appear to be the whims of a madman. However, Karnad’s genius lies in his refusal to portray Tughlaq as a lunatic. Instead, he presents him as a visionary intellectual—an idealist who dreams of a unified, secular India (or Hindustan) where religion does not dictate governance. Karnad uses symbolism and imagery to reinforce the
The play also explores the tension between tradition and modernity. Tughlaq sees himself as a modernizer, who wants to bring about changes to the traditional social and economic structures of his kingdom. However, his methods are often brutal and insensitive, leading to widespread suffering and discontent.
But his decisions only led to disaster. The token currency was rejected by merchants and traders, who saw it for what it was: worthless metal. The people of Delhi were forced to march over 700 miles to Daulatabad, many dying on the way. The once-great city of Delhi was left to decay.
Karnad's "Tughlaq" is a fictionalized account of the Sultan's reign, but it draws heavily from historical records and incorporates elements of Tughlaq's personality and policies. The play is divided into four acts and features a range of characters, including Tughlaq, his wife, Fakhr-un-Nisa, and his advisors. The play is structured in thirteen scenes, tracking
Tughlaq waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, my friends, you don't understand the vision. This token currency will free us from the tyranny of gold and silver. We will be the first empire in the world to do so."
Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq stands as a monumental achievement in modern Indian drama. Written originally in Kannada in 1964 and later translated into English by the author himself, this thirteen-scene play explores the turbulent reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Tughlaq ruled Delhi in the fourteenth century and remains one of the most fascinating, idealistic, and deeply misunderstood figures in Indian history.