Tughlaq By Girish Karnad Text Jun 2026
The play follows the rise and decline of the idealistic but deeply flawed Sultan. It opens in the Sultan’s court, where he declares his intention to shift his capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. His stated purposes are to better rule South India, foster unity between Hindus and Muslims, and protect the capital from Mongol invasions from the north. This massive, impractical move is the first of several disastrous policies.
While it is a historical play, its true genius lies in its contemporary relevance. Karnad uses the historical story as a powerful commentary on the politics of the 1960s in post-independent India, particularly the disillusionment with the idealism of the Nehruvian era. The play was first staged in an Urdu translation in 1966 at the National School of Drama (NSD) and later had a landmark production at the historic Purana Qila in Delhi in 1972.
The play revolves around the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, a ruler known for his eccentric and often brutal policies. The story takes place in the fictional town of Delhi, where the Sultan's decisions have a direct impact on the lives of his subjects. The play's protagonist, Tughlaq, is a just and fair ruler who wants to bring about reforms in his kingdom. However, his methods are often unorthodox and lead to chaos and confusion.
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KHUSRO: But what about the benefits of your reforms?
The protagonist, Muhammad bin Tughlaq, is depicted not as a one-dimensional tyrant, but as a complex, "mad" genius. He is a man of immense learning, well-versed in philosophy, poetry, and calligraphy, who seeks to create a secular and rational state. His initial idealism is best exemplified by his decision to move the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. This move was intended to unify the north and south of India and provide a fresh start for a diverse populace. However, the text highlights how his lack of empathy for the human cost and his impatient demand for total submission transform his dreams into a nightmare of bloodshed and displacement.
Tughlaq remains stunningly contemporary. In an age of ideological extremism, technological solutionism, and leaders who mistake grand visions for good governance, Karnad’s play is a warning. It teaches that politics without human scale is violence, that idealism without humility is terror, and that the most dangerous person is not the cynic who loves power, but the idealist who believes his own dream justifies any cost. The final image of Tughlaq, kneeling alone amidst ruins, is not just the portrait of a failed medieval king. It is a mirror held up to every age that confuses grand ambition with moral wisdom. Girish Karnad did not write a history play; he wrote a prophecy. The play follows the rise and decline of
To understand the play, it's essential to have some background knowledge of the historical Tughlaq. Muhammad bin Tughlaq was a ruler of the Delhi Sultanate who implemented several radical policies, including the transfer of his entire capital city from Delhi to Daulatabad in Maharashtra. This move, which was intended to strengthen his hold on the Deccan region, ended in disaster, with many of his subjects dying during the brutal relocation process.
The text has a strong legacy of celebrated productions. It was memorably staged at the historic Purana Qila in Delhi in 1972, under the direction of the legendary Ebrahim Alkazi, a production considered to be among his finest works. It continues to be revived and adapted by directors who find its themes depressingly relevant.
Tughlaq's other notable policies included the introduction of a new currency, the "Tughlaq Rupee," which was a token currency that could be exchanged for a certain amount of silver or gold. However, this experiment ended in disaster when the token currency was rejected by merchants and traders, leading to widespread inflation and economic instability. This massive, impractical move is the first of
The play focuses on two of his most controversial decisions:
(Exeunt)
GHALIB: And now the people are suffering.