Tughlaq: Unit 11
Tughlaq: Unit 11
Tughlaq: Unit 11
Tughlaq
Written and translated by Girish Karnad
11.1 Warm Up
Why do we remember some historical figures more vividly than
For example, Alexander, Ashoka, and Queen of others
otherc)
Jhansi are leadders
whose names are etched in our minds. We also
remember Hitler for
very different reasons. The downfall of a heroic
figure is usually the
result of his/her personal shortcomings.
Disappointment and failure
are human emotions that strike a chord in the
hearts of many
these factors are put together in this people. All
interesting
the readers of a chapter from history. Read on...
play which will remind
11.2 Objectives
Afterreading this play, you will be able to
Identify the elements of drama in the source and the translated
texts
Examine the development of
characters and plot in a drama
Analyse language use in different aspects of
stage directions, and descriptions.
drama--dialogues,
Explain the parallels between the historical
Indian political scenario in the sixties depiction and the
Girish Karnad himselt has translated the play, Tughlaq. This offers
interesting insights into the choices made by him both as an author and
a translator.
C. The Play
This play refers to Muhammad bin Tughlaq's rule in history and alludes
to the political reality in India after Nehru. This political allegory
dramatizes Mohammed Bin Tughlaq's complex personality which was
misunderstood by most people.
Characters:
In order of appearance
ANNOUNCER
AAZAM
AZIZ
STEP-MOTHER
VIZIER MUHAMMAD NAJIB
ZIA-UD-DIN
BARANI
SHEIKH IMAM-UD-DIN
SHIHAB-UD-DIN
108 Wordscapes
SARDAR RATANSINGH
GHIYAS-UD-DIN ABBASID
KARIM
The action of the play takes place first of all in Delhi in the year 1327, then
on the road from Delhi to Daulatabad, and lastly in and around the fort in
Stop& Think
A play, unlike a novel, introduces the characters at the
beginning
The location where the play takes place is also mentioned to
provide clarity
, Coun a Sstia-N
Scene One
eoplelom pullu bDaulsl
MUHAMMAD: My beloved people, you Have heard the judgement of
ithe Kazi ,and seen for yourselves how justice works in my kingdom-
the Kazi
Aagy
Nyoyithout any consideration of might or weakness, religion or creed. May
this moment burn bright and light up our path towards greater
justice, equality, progress and peace-not just peace but a more
purposeful life.
And to achieve this end I am taking a
new step in which I
hope I shall
have your support and
cooperation.
Later this year the
capital of my empire will be moved from Delhi
to Daulatabad.
The crowd reacts in
bewilderment, MUHAMMAD Smiles.
Your surprise is natural, but I
of a tyrant.
beg you to realize that this is no mad whim
My ministers and I took this decision after careful
thought
Tughlaq 109
discussion. My.
discussion. My empire is large now and embraces the South and
and
which is at its heart. Delhi is too near the border and
need a capital
I
is never free from the fear invaders. But
as you
well know its peace of
me the
most important factor is that Daulatabad is a city of
forme
the capital it will symbolize the bond between
Hindus and as
the
Hindus whichl wish to develop and strengthen in my
Muslims and
i n g d o m . .I
kingdom.
k
invite you all to accompany me to Daulatabad. This is only
an order. Only those who have faith in me may
an invitation and not
come
with me. With their help I shall build an empire which will be the
envy
of the world.
not?
acceptable? Explain.
What
3. Asking people for their support seems like a clever strategy.
revealed in these words?
aspect of Tughlaq's character is
110 Wordscapes
in translation?
Tughlaq 111
2. "They are only cattle yet, but I shall make men out ofa few of them
Explain the sentence in your mother tongue.
112 Wordscapes t per 1 l 9 d a - .
a -d
Scene Four:
never seen an honest scoundral tes
RATANSINGH: I have ike your
Sultan. He murders a man calmly and then actually enjoys thou
the
ofguilt.
feeling
SHIHAB-UD-DIN: What are you talking about?
RATANSINGH: I'm silent!
SHIHAB-UD-DIN: Im sorry. But you have never liked the
the s.Sultan,
After all that he has done for the Hindus_
don't know why.
RATANSINGH: Yes indeed, who can deny that! He is impartiall .
you heard about the Doab? He levied such taxes on the poor farn
that they preferred to starve. Now there's a famine there. Andof course
Hindus as well as Muslims are dying with absolute impartiality
thoughts aptly?
CHEIKH: You can't pollute the time of prayer. It's a sacred time. We
an't stain it with the blood of a Mussulman.
AMIR II: Of come, we can always make up later. Do penance for it.
Stop& Think
Observe the usage of the archaic term Mussulman from
Persian which refers to a Muslim
Conflicting emotions are juxtaposed in the speech of the
characters
3. "Islam will benefit in the long run. "Translate this phrase into
amil/ mother tongue. Compare the impact of these words.
114 Wordscapes
Scene Six
MUHAMMAD: ...from next year, we shall have copper
our empire along with the silver dinars. rrencyin
currencyin
LdAMIRI: Whatever for? I mean what does one do with copper a
coin?
MUHAMMAD: Exchange it for a silver coin! A copper coin
wil \ have
the
lld h e same value as a silver dinar.
2. Is Tughlaq aware that the people in his empire did not have any
confidence in him and the decisions he took?
3. Does the translation convey the rise in conflict between the ruler
and the common people? Explain.
Dakaahad Tughlaq 115
Scene Seven
AZIZ: You are a hopeless case, you know. Pathetic! You've been in
elhi for so many years and you're stupid as ever. Look at me. Only
nths in Delhi and I have discovered a whole new world-
few
olitics! My dear fellow, that's where our future is politics! It's a
olitic
1. Can you identify the places in the national capital Delhi as found in
the descriptions in the play?
3. ".ifone uses half that intelligence here, one can get robes of
Scene
116 Eight Dalakalod
Wordscapes Jalaad
6 danp
Scene Nine creature. You have seen
. You are a funny enough corpses to
A have stuffed them with straw,
seven lives. You practised
last you
And still, you can't see a man die. (Takes out
obscenities on them.
robe and puts
it on.) How do I look, eh? The great-grandson of the
a
Khalif!
AZIZ slaps him on the back.
AAZAM looks away.
Laugh, you fool, laugh.
Celebrate! What are you crying for? Look, look
at the palace
doors. They are opening for us. Dance, dance, you son of
an ass
Sings.
of the Khalif! Great-great-
Grandson of the Khalif! Great-grandson
Khalif!
great-grandson of the
AAZAM looks at him
Sings and dances in a circle, clapping his hands,
into a smile and soon he is laughing
angrily. Then slowly hisface breaks
Stop & Think
leader of Muslim state
Khalif is a civil and religious a
earth
considered to be a representative of Allah on
because Tughlaq
The repetition ofthe word 'great' is ironical
is not considered a successful ruler.
Scene Ten p
MUHAMMAD: God, God in Heaven, please help me. Please
let go of my hand. My skin drips with blood and I don't now dont
much of it is mine and how much of others. I started in Your n
path,
started in search
Lord, why am I wandering naked in this desert now? I started in seark
of You. Why am I become a pig rolling in this gory mud? Raise ma
me.
Clean me. Cover me with Your Inhnite Mercy. l can only clutch atth
he
hem of Your cloak with my bloody
fingers and plead. I can only beg-have pity on me,
Stop&Think
This scene reveals Tughlaq's momentary understanding of his
failure.
God as an eternal refuge is brought out clearly.
Scene Eleven:
FIRST MAN: We don't want any prayer. We want fo0d-
a, a
Tughlaq 119
SEVERAL ALVOICES: Yes, food-we want food-not prayer
ASOLDIER: Quiet! Quiet!
FIRST MAN (shouting): Kill us, kills us. Don't starve us to death.
Killus quickly...
SECO MAN: The kill us, will they? Let's see who kills whom?
Bring them down.
Canfusion. Some of them mob the soldier and beat him. A group of soldiers
arrives and starts beating them, ordering them to keep quiet. The riots begin.
Stop& Think
Prayer and religion cannot replace the basic necessities oflife.
Note the desperation in peoples choice ofinstant death over
starvation
2. Compare the riots in this scene with any recent riots that took place
in the country/state.
3. What is the impact of the short stage direction, "The riots begin?"
stand it a
standi
longer, Aziz. Today the people are a little quieter. They are titire
besides, they have to dispose of the bodies. Tomorrow
again.
they'll start
MUHAMM
Don't you? Because
I do. She
died in the
she, when my soldiers butchered riots,
everyone in
men, women, children, everyone? So you see, even I sight-old
women, chil
know what is
happening in my kingdom.
I may be
responsible for that massacre, I
accept.
Buthhave I really
fallen so low that even you have to lie to me?
BARANI (almost crying): I don't know. I don't know. Please don't
ofyou. ask
me. I beg
Alla-Ho-Akbar! Alla-Ho-Akbar!..
Stop &Think
After losing his own mother in the riots can we expect he
historian Barani to write an untarnished account of all the
incidents?
Muezzin is a Persian term which refers to the crier who calls the|
11.5 Recap
in the play
Remember the delineation of characters
and transliterations
Understand the combination of translations
to create an Indian English text
Think about the techniques used to represent the plot
development
translate dramatic terms
Create terminologies to
11.6 Activities
become routine occurrences. Discuss
1. Protests and riots have
friends and alternatives to avoid them.
among your suggest
taken for the
2. Do you think the decisions taken by Tughlaq
were