Tughlaq By Girish Karnad Text Jun 2026

Prayer is used ironically. Initially a symbol of purity, it eventually becomes a tool for assassination and a mask for political violence.

TUGHLAQ: I'll not be swayed. My reforms will succeed.

GHALIB: Who will bring justice to this land.

(Enter an OFFICIAL)

(Exeunt)

(Enter TUGHLAQ, fleeing)

Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq stands as a masterwork of modern Indian drama. Written originally in Kannada in 1964 and later translated into English by the author himself, the play explores the tumultuous 14th-century reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Through thirteen intense scenes, Karnad crafts a profound psychological portrait of a ruler caught between visionary idealism and horrific cruelty. tughlaq by girish karnad text

Tughlaq features a well-defined cast of characters:

Upon publication, the was lauded as a work of genius. Critic U.R. Ananthamurthy called it "the most original play written in Kannada." However, the text has also faced criticism:

Tughlaq is a complex and multifaceted character, who is both charismatic and ruthless. He is a visionary leader who wants to bring about radical change, but his methods are often erratic and impulsive. Prayer is used ironically

The characters of Aziz and Aazam serve as a comic yet cynical mirror to Tughlaq. Aziz, a petty thief, thrives in the very system Tughlaq tries to perfect, proving that corruption often succeeds where idealism fails. 4. Literary Style and Symbolism

As his policies crumble, one by one, the Sultan's grip on reality falters. He sees conspiracies everywhere, and his responses are swift and brutal. The people of Delhi cower in fear, wondering what new whim will afflict them next.

GHALIB: But such a ruler, I fear, Is a mere fantasy. My reforms will succeed

The sub-plot involving the petty thieves Aziz and Azam acts as a brilliant foil to Tughlaq’s grand political narrative. While Tughlaq kills in the name of God and the state, Aziz kills and cheats for pure survival and upward mobility. Aziz is the only character who truly understands how to navigate Tughlaq's system. He easily manipulates the state's loopholes, highlighting how the grandest political philosophies often end up enriching opportunists. 4. Religious Orthodoxy vs. Secularism

As the empire began to crumble, Tughlaq's relationships with his closest friends and advisors began to fray. His friend and confidant, Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq, tried to intervene, but the Sultan would not listen.