"Tughlaq" is a play written by Girish Karnad, first published in 1964. The play is a satirical comedy that explores the themes of power, politics, and social change in 14th-century India during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, the Sultan of Delhi.
When Tughlaq was written, India was two decades into independence. Jawaharlal Nehru’s visionary socialism, secularism, and non-alignment—his “modern temples” of dams, steel plants, and scientific institutes—were showing cracks. The gap between lofty ideals and ground-level poverty, corruption, and communalism was widening. tughlaq by girish karnad text
Historical Background: The Tughlaq Dynasty "Tughlaq" is a play written by Girish Karnad,
The play's use of symbolism is evident in the character of the Irani merchant, who represents the voice of reason and pragmatism. The Sultan's interactions with the merchant serve as a foil to his other actions, highlighting the contradictions in his personality. The Sultan's interactions with the merchant serve as
However, Karnad wrote the play in the decade following the Nehruvian era. To contemporary readers and audiences, Tughlaq’s lofty ideals and subsequent descent into chaos mirrored the disillusionment many felt in the 1960s. The "Tughlaq text" serves as a bridge between the historical 14th century and the political anxieties of the 20th. Plot Summary and Structure