Feminine Agency and Political Struggles: Unveiling Power Dynamics in Girish Karnad’s Tughlaq

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Page: 12-14

Saroj Bishnoi and Sneha Sharma (Department of English, Om Sterling Global University, Hisar, Haryana)

Girish Karnad’s play Tughlaq (1964) carefully weaves together themes of political turbulence, power struggles, and the complexities of identity. While the play primarily focuses on the reign of Sultan Muhammad bin Tughlaq, it also offers a powerful critique of the socio-political system of medieval India. This paper examines the role of female characters in Tughlaq, particularly the Queen Mother, and how their identities intersect with the themes of power and politics. The analysis highlights the subversion of traditional gender roles, with emphasis on the assertion of female agency within a patriarchal and politically unstable society. Drawing upon feminist theories of power, identity, and agency, this research explores how Karnad’s portrayal of women in Tughlaq reflects both the historical and contemporary struggles for gender equality, positioning the play as a commentary on the intersection of politics, power, and feminine identity.