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| Discuss Tughlaq As A Drama of Contrast and Opposition |
Various Contrasts and Opposites on Different Levels:
One of the striking features of Karnad's Tughlaq is that it consists of various contrasts and opposites on different levels. He has portrayed the social and individual contrasts in the plot. In introduction to this play, Anantha Murti has hinted at this quality by remarking, "Both Tughlaq and his enemies initially appear to be idealist. Yet in the pursuit of the ideal, they perpetrate opposite." On analysing the plot of the play, we will quickly realise that these opposites have been introduced at a very early stage. The opening of the play reveals the intention of the dramatist when he presents the conflict of opinion on two levels. The people are divided within themselves. There is an obvious contrast and conflict between the Hindus and the Muslims. They have no confidence in each other. The Muslims are angry with the Sultan because he has abolished the Jiziya from the Hindus while the Hindus suspect that in this act of the Sultan, there is some intrigue. Along with these communal opposites, there are contrasts within one community. The people are sharply contrasted on the validity of the steps by the Sultan. They suspect his intentions and object to his declaration of justice and Hindu Muslim unity. The old men are against the Sultan but the young man defends him and thinks that he has done many great works in the field of religion also and asks, "Can you mention one earlier Sultan in whose time people read the Koran in the streets like now?" But the chief objection of the Muslims is that now he will get kicked by the infidel. Thus, the whole Social atmosphere is dominated by such opposites and contrasts.
A Contrast Presented in the Sultan’s Decisions:
There is another very significant contrast which is amusing as well. The Sultan desires to bring about justice to all without any distinction of creed and religion and that the people can file a suit even against him for any injustice. This idealism is contrasted to the mischief of Aziz who disguises as Vishnu Prasad and gains a handsome compensation and a Civil service as well. There is an ironical contrast that the ideal and honest efforts of the Sultan have been ridiculed in this manner. Similarly a contrast is presented in his decisions. He changed the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad to bring about the prosperity in the capital and kingdom but opposed to his ideals, the result was quite contrasted and this step meant for the good of the people proved most fatal and disastrous both to the Sultan and the people equally. It made the Amirs rebel against the throne and brought untold miseries to the people. All his ideals for prosperity in this way are ironically contrasted. The same contrast is present in the issue of token currency. He hoped to improve the economy of his empire in this way but it happened otherwise. The people started minting copper coins in their homes and exchanged them for silver dinars. Thus, the whole state treasury was empty. Even the pick-pockets like Aziz earned a lot in this way. The Sultan himself realises, "I should have expected that but didn't-that was my fault."
A Contrast in the Matters of Religion and Politics:
The most significant contrast has been presented in the play in matters of religion and politics. The religious saints always emphasised on the rule according to Koran. Sheikh Imamuddin and other religious minded people dislike the Sultan because in their opinion the Sultan is violating the tenets of Koran. Sheikh Imamuddin tells Muhammad that he has acted against Islam several times while the Sultan tries to assure him, "I have never consciously tried to go against the tenets of Islam." This contradiction becomes more serious when the Sultan on the one hand professes to be a staunch Muslim and on the other hand entraps the Sheikh for opposing him and gets him killed. Similarly he asks the people to come to the Big Mosque to hear the Sheikh but then appoints his soldiers to see that none should reach there. Muhammad is trying his best that the saints should not interfere the politics and those who do so are imprisoned or exiled. The Sheikh warns him "Religion! Politics! Take heed, Sultan, one day these verbal distinctions will rip you into two."
Contrast in Characters:
Even in the field of characterisation, that contrast is quite obvious. Karnad has put the characters in such a way that they are contrasted to each other. The characters of Najib and Barani are the best examples. In their political outlook as well as in their individual behaviour, they are quite opposed to each other. Najib is a shrewd politician, intriguing and treacherous. The Sheikh opposes the Sultan and he proposes to get rid of the traitor. But on the contrary Barani respects the Sheikh as a religious person and seriously objects to the proposal of Najib. Their opinions about Ain-ul-Mulk are also sharply contrasted. Najib considers him a political criminal while Barani thinks that it is the result of some misunderstanding and suggests that the Sultan should adopt a lenient view of him. Najib's political attitude and his nearness to the Sultan has made even Barani jealous of him. Although he does not express his dislike, openly, he speaks about it whenever he finds a proper occasion. He tells the step mother emotionally, "Sometimes I am bothered by his influence on the Sultan." So is the contradiction between Aazam and Aziz. They are friends, they work together and have been living together but Aazam does not like the ways of Aziz. He declines the offer of Aziz to work with him. He requests Aziz not to kill the Saint Ghyasuddin from Arab. When Aziz disguises himself as the saint and dances with joy, he repents at his activities. Aziz feels himself safe and happy in the fort of Daulatabad but Aazam quickly apprehends the danger. He feels that they are quite unsafe because the behaviour of the Sultan is not trustworthy, so he does not like to live there for a long time. He wishes to give up stealing and live a comfortable life like other people but Aziz rebukes him. Aazam is conscious of the future when they will lose strength to work. In the transit camp, Aziz is cruel in his behaviour while Aazam sympathises with the suffering people. Thus, their characters have been portrayed on the basis of the opposites and contrasts.
Sharp Contrast in the Character of the Sultan Himself:
The Sultan is a bundle of contraries. He is an idealist, a visionary and is always dedicated to the good of the people. He plans in various ways to make his kingdom ideal in the world. But his behaviour is quite the contrary. On the one hand he proclaims justice and equality for all but on the other hand he has levied heavy takes in Doab. He professes to be religious but in turn, he kills the religious saints. This contrast can be well realised in the remark of the step mother, "It's only seven years ago that you came to the throne. How glorious you were then, how idealistic, how full of hopes. Look at your kingdom now." Thus, the structure of the whole play has been founded on the principle of opposites and contrasts.
