From Rebel to Monarch: A Review of Girish
Karnad’s Tughlaq
ABSTRACT
Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is the central figure of Girish Karnad's famous play Tughlaq
and dominates the play from beginning to the end. He is one of the most controversial
figures of medieval Indian history. Karnad immortalized this legendry and disputed figure of
Indian history. The character of Tughlaq deserves a review since he has been portrayed
loosely both by historians and critics. So it is needless to say that the readers of Girish
Karnad are likely to follow the character of Sultan Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq with a mere
biased approach. The main object of this research paper is to find out the emergence of
Tughlaq as a ruler and also to discover the hidden corners of the character of Sultan
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. This research paper is also intended to interpret the play as well
as the character of Tughlaq in the light of his journey from rebel to monarch.
KEYWORDS
Girish Karnad. Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq, Indo-English Drama, Historical play.
INTRODUCTION
Karnad’s Tughlaq is regarded as one of the most important and widely read drama in Indian
writing in English. Publication of Tughlaq and its notable popularity among the readers
established Girish Karnad as a major Indian dramatist writing in English. Though he has
contributed number of plays for the readers of English literature but Tughlaq stands as a
gem among all his plays and one of the nicely crafted and elaborated play. It is a classic of
its kind. Karnad is an Indian, writing in English and he has succeeded in creating a proper
Indian atmosphere in almost all his plays. Tughlaq Is an immortal play which shall be read
and acted as long as English is read and enjoyed in India. It is a great classic of Indo-
English drama.
Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is the central figure and dominates the play from beginning
to the end. He is one of the most controversial figures of medieval Indian history known for
all his cunning, wicked behavior as well as popular war campaign and insane policies. After
the publication of English version of Tughlaq in 1970, Karnad immortalized this legendry
, and disputed figure of medieval Indian history. The character of Tughlaq deserves a review
since he has been portrayed loosely both by historians and critics. So it is needless to say
that the readers of Girish Karnad are likely to follow the character of Sultan Muhammad-
bin-Tughlaq with a mere biased approach. It is important to asses and interprets the play in
its proper perspective.
Undoubtedly Karnad’s Tughlaq is an excellent work of art with an intricate plot, finest irony.
Sharp satire and interesting symbolism. Over the decades, scholars have been over
emphasizing the value of the play more as a political satire than anything else. Though it is
true that a work of art is open to more than one interpretation yet the glorification and
interpretation of the play as only a political satire seems to be a rather under estimation of
this piece of art. Though historical inputs serve Tughlaq as an eccentric or whimsical kind
of character, but the play offers an excellent psychological study of the character of Sultan,
which are the central figure as well as the main matter of concern for the readers of Karnad.
His vision, his motifs and his endeavor to establish himself as the ruler of the people is the
witness of his command over the empire. This research paper is intended to assess the
diverse view point and provides a short review of the character of Sultan Muhammad-bin-
Tughlaq. Historical interpretation of the medieval Indian history charged Tughlaq for
parricide. Though the murder of his father may or may not be true. Tughlaq’s struggle begins
with the assumption of the power as the Sultan of Delhi Sultanat. His opponents or
enemies, all are men of vested interest. Ain-ul- Mulk’s aim to capture the throne of Delhi,
Imam-ud-Deen and chieftains of Delhi are seeking to increase their level of power but
Sultan has a different kind of personality. He places humanism above religion thus
provides a new outlook of the social structure of contemporary India. In his view, the
religion is like a guiding power and should play a positive role in human life, to uplift the
spiritual depth and happiness of the people. In the initial stage of the play, Tughlaq strives
hard to keep his ideals intact. The first part of the play establishes the Sultan as highly
intelligent ruler. Undoubtedly he deals ruthlessly with his enemies and several deeds of the
Sultan cannot be applauded. He did many mistakes and unpardonable crimes. But this is
altogether a different issue. Circumstances have probably forced him to take harsh
decision. If we study the character of Tughlaq from standpoint, we will experience the
sultan is victim-turned-sinner. All in all, Karnad’s Tughlaq is greatest play and a fine piece of
art. Karnad presented very honestly the different hues of a very controversial but also the
most loving character of the gallery of historical figures of medieval India..
Karnad’s Tughlaq
ABSTRACT
Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is the central figure of Girish Karnad's famous play Tughlaq
and dominates the play from beginning to the end. He is one of the most controversial
figures of medieval Indian history. Karnad immortalized this legendry and disputed figure of
Indian history. The character of Tughlaq deserves a review since he has been portrayed
loosely both by historians and critics. So it is needless to say that the readers of Girish
Karnad are likely to follow the character of Sultan Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq with a mere
biased approach. The main object of this research paper is to find out the emergence of
Tughlaq as a ruler and also to discover the hidden corners of the character of Sultan
Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. This research paper is also intended to interpret the play as well
as the character of Tughlaq in the light of his journey from rebel to monarch.
KEYWORDS
Girish Karnad. Muhammad-bin- Tughlaq, Indo-English Drama, Historical play.
INTRODUCTION
Karnad’s Tughlaq is regarded as one of the most important and widely read drama in Indian
writing in English. Publication of Tughlaq and its notable popularity among the readers
established Girish Karnad as a major Indian dramatist writing in English. Though he has
contributed number of plays for the readers of English literature but Tughlaq stands as a
gem among all his plays and one of the nicely crafted and elaborated play. It is a classic of
its kind. Karnad is an Indian, writing in English and he has succeeded in creating a proper
Indian atmosphere in almost all his plays. Tughlaq Is an immortal play which shall be read
and acted as long as English is read and enjoyed in India. It is a great classic of Indo-
English drama.
Sultan Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq is the central figure and dominates the play from beginning
to the end. He is one of the most controversial figures of medieval Indian history known for
all his cunning, wicked behavior as well as popular war campaign and insane policies. After
the publication of English version of Tughlaq in 1970, Karnad immortalized this legendry
, and disputed figure of medieval Indian history. The character of Tughlaq deserves a review
since he has been portrayed loosely both by historians and critics. So it is needless to say
that the readers of Girish Karnad are likely to follow the character of Sultan Muhammad-
bin-Tughlaq with a mere biased approach. It is important to asses and interprets the play in
its proper perspective.
Undoubtedly Karnad’s Tughlaq is an excellent work of art with an intricate plot, finest irony.
Sharp satire and interesting symbolism. Over the decades, scholars have been over
emphasizing the value of the play more as a political satire than anything else. Though it is
true that a work of art is open to more than one interpretation yet the glorification and
interpretation of the play as only a political satire seems to be a rather under estimation of
this piece of art. Though historical inputs serve Tughlaq as an eccentric or whimsical kind
of character, but the play offers an excellent psychological study of the character of Sultan,
which are the central figure as well as the main matter of concern for the readers of Karnad.
His vision, his motifs and his endeavor to establish himself as the ruler of the people is the
witness of his command over the empire. This research paper is intended to assess the
diverse view point and provides a short review of the character of Sultan Muhammad-bin-
Tughlaq. Historical interpretation of the medieval Indian history charged Tughlaq for
parricide. Though the murder of his father may or may not be true. Tughlaq’s struggle begins
with the assumption of the power as the Sultan of Delhi Sultanat. His opponents or
enemies, all are men of vested interest. Ain-ul- Mulk’s aim to capture the throne of Delhi,
Imam-ud-Deen and chieftains of Delhi are seeking to increase their level of power but
Sultan has a different kind of personality. He places humanism above religion thus
provides a new outlook of the social structure of contemporary India. In his view, the
religion is like a guiding power and should play a positive role in human life, to uplift the
spiritual depth and happiness of the people. In the initial stage of the play, Tughlaq strives
hard to keep his ideals intact. The first part of the play establishes the Sultan as highly
intelligent ruler. Undoubtedly he deals ruthlessly with his enemies and several deeds of the
Sultan cannot be applauded. He did many mistakes and unpardonable crimes. But this is
altogether a different issue. Circumstances have probably forced him to take harsh
decision. If we study the character of Tughlaq from standpoint, we will experience the
sultan is victim-turned-sinner. All in all, Karnad’s Tughlaq is greatest play and a fine piece of
art. Karnad presented very honestly the different hues of a very controversial but also the
most loving character of the gallery of historical figures of medieval India..
