Tughlaq: Character Mind Map & Summary
The key characters of Girish Karnad's Tughlaq (1964), grouped into branches, with the key episodes, a quick summary and the exam facts that come up again and again in UGC NET.
The Character Mind Map
Tap any name to open the details.
Muhammad bin Tughlaq
A brilliant, idealistic Sultan of Delhi who dreams of a just kingdom for Hindus and Muslims alike. His plans, such as moving the capital and introducing copper coins, end in disaster, and his idealism turns into cruelty.
Ending: alone and broken, falls asleep as prayer is called👑 The Court
Tughlaq's circleThe Step-MotherTughlaq's step-mother
Role: Loves him; poisons Najib to protect him.
Outcome: Stoned to death on Tughlaq's orderNajibThe vizier
Role: A cold, practical politician.
Outcome: PoisonedBaraniThe historian
Role: A gentle scholar who tries to guide Tughlaq; he finally leaves him.
🏠 Opponents
Plots against the SultanSheikh Imam-ud-dinA holy man
Role: Criticises the Sultan; tricked into dying in battle.
Shihab-ud-dinA noble
Role: Plots to kill Tughlaq during prayer.
Outcome: Killed🤝 The Rogues
OpportunistsAzizA Muslim washerman
Role: Disguises himself as a Brahmin to cheat the state; later murders Ghiyas-ud-din Abbasid and takes his place.
AazamAziz's friend
Role: A small-time pickpocket.
Outcome: KilledMemory Hook
One simple pattern to remember the whole work.
Key Episodes
The turning points examiners love to ask about.
Quick Summary
The story, stage by stage.
Scenes 1–4Idealism
- Tughlaq's new rule and its promise.
- The death of Imam-ud-din.
Scenes 5–6Conspiracy
- The prayer-time plot fails.
- Tughlaq kills Shihab-ud-din.
Scenes 7–9Daulatabad
- The forced migration.
- Copper coins and forgery.
Scenes 10–13Collapse
- The step-mother's execution.
- Aziz's deception; Tughlaq's loneliness.
Must-Know Exam Facts
Quick points for UGC NET, SET and PGT.
Structure
Thirteen scenes.
Language
Written in Kannada (1964); Karnad's English version, 1971.
Allegory
Often read as a comment on the Nehru era: idealism and disillusion.
Theme
Idealism vs politics, religion and power.
Productions
Famous production by Ebrahim Alkazi and the National School of Drama, staged at the Purana Qila, Delhi.
Indian Literature
100+ Key Works of Indian Literature
All these character mind maps in one printed book.
