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After reading the absolutely riveting “Crossing to Talikota�� last year, I picked up another Girish Karnad gem, “Tughlaq��. The play details some of the Mughal ruler’s most infamous, wild policies like the introduction of copper coins and shifting of the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad. Spread over 13 scenes, Tughlaq gives glimpses of the King’s mercurial temperament, his ideas on religion, politics, and economy, among other things. Additionally, it also paints a sharp picture of the state of affairs in the kingdom during his rule.

Karnad was just 26-years-old when he wrote this play. But the heavily layered plot with its portrayal of a complex personality and web of politics belies his juvenescence. I was entirely taken in right from the first page with the Machiavellian scheming between Aziz and his friend Aazam, and the conversations between Muhammed and people of his court like Barani and Najib.
Muhammed’s character leaps off the pages with his ambiguous behaviour and sudden bursts of capriciousness. One second he seems to be the ideal, benign, tolerant ruler who wants to show

“how justice works in my kingdom-without any consideration of might or weakness, religion or creed.��

The next second, on the same occasion, he announces that the capital will be moved to Daulatabad and “that this is no mad whim of a tyrant.��

These constant shifts in decisions and moods makes Muhammed a fascinating character study.
In the Introduction, Aparna Bhargava Dharwadker compares Tughlaq’s period of rule to Nehru’s idealism that marked the first 20 years after India’s independence. Idealistic views but troubled times. It may be history, but the play is also a reminder that history does repeat itself. In that sense, it’s a timeless piece of writing that can be applied to contemporary politics and, I am sure, even beyond. To me the opening lines of the play sums up the great divide in thoughts among people of a country.

“Old man: God, what’s this country coming to!
Young man: What are you worried about, grandfather? The country’s in perfectly safe hands �� safer than any you’ve seen before.��

If you haven’t read Tughlaq (or any of Karnad’s plays) yet, I strongly suggest putting aside whatever you’re reading and just picking it up now.