Tughlaq

 is a 1964 Indian Kannada language play written by Girish
Karnad. The thirteen-scene play is set during the reign

of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. It was first staged in Urdu in 1966, as a
student production at National School of Drama. Most famously, it
was staged at Purana Qila, Delhi in 1972. In 1970, it was enacted in
English in Mumbai. scene play by Girish Karnad,
focuses on the 14th century Turko-Indian ruler. It is both a historical
play as well as a commentary on the contemporary politics of the
1960s. The Times of India comments: "In the play, the protagonist,
Tughlaq, is portrayed as having great ideas and a grand vision, but
his reign was an abject failure. He started his rule with great ideals
of a unified India, but his degenerated into anarchy and his kingdom
About the Book:
is a 1964 Indian Kannada language play written by Girish
Karnad. The thirteen-scene play is set during the reign of Muhammad
bin Tughlaq. It was first staged in Urdu in 1966, as a student
production at National School of Drama. Most famously, it was
staged at Purana Qila, Delhi in 1972. 
About the Plot
As the play opens, the reader is introduced to the court of
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq, a Muslim Sultan (Emperor). Tughlaq
declares that he is shifting his capital from Delhi to Daultabad (also
known as Deogiri). Daultabad is in south India and at a long distance
from Delhi. He has two purposes behind this decision. First, it will
help him to rule over southern part of India effectively and increase
fraternity and unity among Hindus and Muslims as Daultabad is a
Hindu-majority city. Second, it will help him saving his capital
against the attacks of Mongols from the north.
About the Characterisation:
Mohammad Bin Tughlaq – The Emperor
His stepmother
Aziz – A shrewd man who deceives Tughlaq with his disguise
Aazam – A friend of Aziz and his partner
Najib – An advisor and confidante of Tughlaq
Barani – A historian and close associate of Tughlaq
Sheikh Imam-ud-din – A critic of foolish acts
Shihab-ud-din –
Sheikh Shams-ud-din –
Ain-ul-Mulk – An old friend of Tughlaq who, later, turned into an
enemy
Ratansingh – Adopted brother of Shihab-ud-din
Ghiyas-ud-din Abbasid – Descendant of Khalif Abbasid and guest of

honour of Tughlaq
About the Themes:
A major theme in Giris play Tughlaq is inevitably power.
Bertrand Russell said in his Power: A New Social Analysis that
power is the capacity to achieve intended results.
About Overall analysis
Your Opinion:
Karnad is a significant intervention in history, as also a site
for the development of a creative analogy between the past and the
present. The contemporaneity ascribed to a historical situation makes
the play unique.
Compare with Similar works:
Girish Tughlaq is a historical play that is often compared to
the political era of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister
Appreciation/ Critique:
Karnad himself has suggested that he found history
contemporary. So, it is to be concluded that Tughlaq is a history and a
historical play.