OXFORD TUGHLAQ GIRISH KARNADGirish Karnad TUGHLAQ A play im thirteen scenes OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESSOXFORD ChIvrery fase YMCA Library Buiklins.Jau Singh Kose, New Delhi 110001 Oxon University Press isa cepursent ofthe Unversity of Oxford ‘frthers the Universi’ abject af eeetince ia rsrants Sep ‘ue econ by punishing wortéwide a oxford New York AAtckland Cape Town “Dace Salam Hong Kong Karl Kons immpur Madod Melboorae. Mexico City Naka ‘Mew Dei Shangh fipesForento wih ofieesin Argenruat Assia Beuel Chile Caech Republi Trance Giese Guatemala Hungary aly fpon! Poli! ora shazap Sout Korea) Sorted Weandl Tirkey Ursin: Vcseees Oxford is a registered at oF Oxtor Univesity Pres in the Ukand in eran ater cman, Pabtsed in ta by Onan! Unerrsty Pess © Ovioré Univer Poss 1975 the moral ighs oft author ave bon assests Database right Oxtord University Press ine) Fue pubushea 1975 “TMny sie ipresion 2010 A ngs served No pt of his publistion mae cpr vel ina ejieval syeteny or eaunite Without He prioe emission ua wetting at Osta Uinerty Pee ‘oras expressly perinre by hw, or ues tins ste with the pps eprogtaphies ryt oxjatration.Englice sevseriy eptoketion julsde tn stope ofthe abae sll be sat fo te Rigs Bepnee ‘Os Unvernty Press atthe ares snore or oF by ay nets, You mus notcitelae tsk any we in case ‘and you snus mpose texan condition an any seguir Isine 1s 978 a 105600265, ISUN10.0 1956096 Protea in nia by So ntopack, Pel 19620 ‘its published by Oxtor¢ University ese Ye bey Ming Sg Reads New Def 110004 to KRISHNA BASRUR swith affection xd admirationAUTHOR'S NOTE ‘bis play was originally written in Kannada in 1964. | was persuaded to translate it into English by Alyque Padamsee, who later produced it for the Theatre Group, Bombay. “This translation was first staged at the Bhulabhai Auditorium, Bombay in August 1970. [ should like to express here my thanks to Alyque Padamsee and the Theatre Group for the care and imagination with which they produced the play. My special thanks are also due to S. Gopalie, Madras, for tis invaluable help with the translation, Dharwar, 1971 GK, INTRODUCTION Tughlag, which was published in Kannada in 1964, is Girish Karnad’s second play. His first play, Tayati, was a self-consciously existentialist drama on the theme of responsibility. And those of us writing in the Kannada Naya movement of the time can still remember the excitement when we first read it in 1961. His interpre- tation of the familiar old myth on the exchange of ages, between father and son bafiled and angered many con- ventional critics but, for others, who were trying {0 root, their contemporary concerns in old myths, Karnad’s unheroic hero, Puru, was a great experience. Tughlag was an immediate success on the stage. It was first produced in Kannada in 1965 and was 2lso done, about the same time, in Hindi by the National School of Drama. Bengali and Marathi productions followed, and in 1970 there was an English production in Bombay which was a major success. Ik is not hard to account for the immediate response the play has received from Kannada as well as other audiences. One can enjoy the play on the stage without paying much attention to its rich and complex symbolism and the subtle weaving of its different motifs. The play has an interesting story, an intricate plot, scope for spectacle, and uses dramatic conventions like the comic air, Aziz and Aazam (the Akara and Makara of Natak performances), to which theatre audiences respond readily. Another reason for Tughlay's appeal to Indian audi- ences is that it is a play of the sixtics, and reflects viias no other play perhaps does the political mood of dis- illusionment which followed the Nehru era of idealism in the country. Karnad himself has commented (Enact, June 1971) on this: What struck me absolutely about Tughlaq’s history was that it was contemporary. The fact that here ‘was the most idealistic, the most intelligent king ever to come on the throne of Delhi... . and one of the greatest failures also. And within a span of twenty years this tremendously capable man had gone to pieces. This seemed to be both due to his idealism as well as the shortcomings within him, such as his impatience, his cruelty, his feeling that he hhad the only correct answer. And I felt in the early sixties India had also come very far in the same direction—the twenty-year period seemed to me very much a striking parallel. But the play is more than a political allegory It has an imeducible, puzzling quality which comes from the ambiguities of Tughlaq’s character, the dominating figure 1m the play. All the other characters are dramatized aspects of his complex personality, yet they also exist in their own right. Kannada critics have made detailed analyses of the play, paying special attention to the symbolism of the game of chess, the theme of disguise, the ironic success of Aziz whose amazing story runs parallel to Tughiaq’s, and the dualism of the man and the hero in Tughlag, which is the source of the entire tragedy. Yet no critical examination of the play can easily exhaust its total meaning for the reader, because the play has, finally, an elusive and haunting quality which it gets from the character of Tughlaq who has been realized in great psychological depth, But it would be unjust to say that the play is about an ‘interesting’ vii characier, for the play relates the character of Tughlag to philosophical questions on the nature of man and the destiny of a whole kingdom which a dreamer like him controls. ‘Although the theme of the play is from history—there are many such plays in Kannada—Karnad’s treatment of the theme is not historical. Take, for instance, the use Karnad makes of the leitmotiv of the play, ‘prayer’, in the scene where the Muslim chieftains along with Sheik Shams-ud-din, a pacifist priest, conspire to murder ‘Tughlag while at prayer. The use of prayer for murder is reminiscent of what Tughlag himself did to kill his father. That prayer, which is most dear to Tughlag, is vitiated by him as well as his enemies, is symbolic of the ‘act that his life is corrupted at its very source, The whole episode is ironic. It involves Shihab-ud-din, an idealist who has put great trust in Tughlaq’s rule, and is himself ultimately betrayed by Ratansingh who master- minds the entire plan of murder for his own ends. The intrigue here not only enhances the theatrical interest of the play, but is a dramatized projection of Tughlaq’s tortured, divided self. Thus, the external action through out enacts the inner drama of Tughlag. Both Tughila: and his enemies initially appear to be idealist the pursuit of the ideal, they perpetrate its opposite. The whole play is structured on these opposites: the ideal and the real; the divine aspiration and the deft intrigue. Tughlaq is what he is in spite of his sel know- fedge and an intense desire for divine grace. He is aware of the irony of his life when Aziz, the only character in the play who has skilfully used all the schemes of Tughlag for his own designs, hills Ghiyas-ud-din and comes in his guise as a holy messenger of peace to purify the land and revive the banned prayer. The irory isdeeply tragic. In the end Tughlag and his kingdom are one in their chaos, and he know it. There are some good single plays in Kannada like Masti’s Kakana Koje and the plays of Adya Rangacharya who has kept the tradition of serious play-writing in Kannada alive; yet there is, perhaps, no play in Kannada comparable to Tughlag in its depth and range. It is likely to become a classic in Kannada literature, ‘The present translation, which has been ably done by Karnad himself, will be warmly welcomed by readers eager to know what is happening. in the Indian Tanguages. I may not be out of place to mention here that many teachers of English in India have felt and still eel the need for English translations of kterature in the Indian languages. Teachers like myself have often wished that along with Indian writing in English which we prescribe to our students, we should also be able to teach English translations of classics in the Indian languages which will engage our student’s attention fully and meaningfully. Karnad’s Tughlag should be as rewarding an experience to teach and to study, as it has been to see on the stage allover India, Mysore U.R. Anantha Murthy September, 1971 CHARACTERS [Um order of appearance) Axnouncer Suitax Mumasoaap Tuortag Aazaw Anz Srep-wormen Vizier Munanwan Najts Zin-vo-pis Baran Suerxit TMAM-UD-DE Seuntan-up-DIN Sanpar RATANSINGH Suen Strass-up-pIv TAJUDDARFIM Giurvas-up-pmy Apaasto The action of the play takes place fist of alt in Delhi in the ‘year 1327, then on the road from Delhi to Daulatabad, and lasly in and around the fort in Dewlatabed five years later.SCENE ONE a. p. 1327 ‘The yard in font of the Chief Court of Fastice in Delhi. A crowd oy citizens—moslly Muslins, with a few Hindus hee and there ‘Lb MAN; God, what's this country coming to! ‘Youna aN: What are you worried about, grandfather? “The country's in perfectly safe hands-safer than any you've seen before. ‘oLb MAN: Idon’t know. I've been alive a long time, seen many Sultans, but I never thought I would live to sce a thing like this. voune man: Your days are over, old man. What's the tue of Sultans who didn't allow a subject mile's distance? This King now, he isn’t aft ( be human— ‘riunp Maw: But does he have to make such a fuss about being human? Announce his mistakes te the whole sworld—invite the entire capital? ou man: And get kicked by an infidel too. It’s an insult to Islam, YouNO MAN: That's good that! Insult to Islam! So you want to teach him Islam, do you? Tell me, how often did you pray before he carne to the throne? ‘rau wan: That isn’t the point. “ZOUNG MAN: That's precisely the point. Not even once a ‘week, I bet. Now you pray five times a day because that’s the law and if you break it, you'll have the officers on your neck. Can you inention one earlier Sultan in whose time people read the Koran in the streets like now? Just one? op man: What's the use?) One must act according, Hindus not paying theTughlag Jiziya tax. That's against the Koran, you know. ‘A Mowe told me that muse suxpu: Now, now, don’t look at me when you say that ‘We did't want an exemptton! Look, when a Sultan Kicks me in the teeth and says, ‘Poy up, you Hindu dog’, I'm happy. T know J m'safe. But the moment ‘a man comes along and says, “I know you area Hindu, but you are also a human being’-—well, that makes ‘Youxs NaN: Ungrateful wretch! Ok MAN: But this wretch is our best fiiend, Jamal Beware of the Hindu who embraces you, Before you Know what, he'll tara Islam into another caste and call the Prophet an incarnation of his god . The puBLic ANNOUNCER comes eat and beals his drum, Silence. axnouxcrr: Attention! Attention! In the name of Allah it is hereby announced that Vishnu Prasad, a Brahmin of Shiknar, had filed a suit against His Mercifial Majesty, that his land had been seized illegally by the officers of the State and that he should be given Just compensation for the loss of the land and the pevation: resulting therefrom. ‘The Kazi-i-Mumalik ‘ving considered this matter carefully and detail has declared . .. * He pauses for effect. The audience is tense and the ANNOUNCER looks pleased. hhas declared that the Brahmin’s claim is just. . Commotion in the crowd. The announce silences ther with a couple of drum beats and continues, «that the Brahmin’s claim is just and that His Merciful Majesty is guilty of illegal appropriation of land. ‘The Kazisi-Mumalik has further declaree! that in return for the land and in compensation of the Brivaton esting from it lost the kd Vimy Prasad should receive a grant of five hundred silver dinars from the State Treasury. Mere 2 “Scene One Renewed commotion. But the axwouncen isn’t finished yet. His Merciful Majesty has accepted the decision of the Kazi-i-Mumalik as just and in addition to the grant of five hundred silver dinars has offered the said Vishnu Prasad a post in the Civil Service to ensure hirn a regular and adequate income. Beats the drums again and retires. ox wax: What folly is this! May Heaven guide our Sultan, ninpu: I don't believe a word of it. There's something tore to this, that much is obvious— The Axwouncer comes ou followed by MOHAMMAD, Ue xazt and the retinue sxxouncer: Attention! Attention! The Warrior in the ‘Path of God, the Defender of the Word of the Prophet, the Friend of the Khalif, the Just, His Mercifi! Majesty, Sultan Muhammad Tughlag. cnown: Vietory—to the King. MUHAMMAD: My beloved people, you have heard the Judgement of the Kazi and seen for yourselves how Justice works in my kingdom—without 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 hot just peace but a more purposeful life. ‘And to achieve this end. J am taking a new step in which Thope 1 shail have your support and cooperation. hope [al have Yous per nd cons from Delhi to Daulatabad. ‘The crowd reacts in bewilderment. wwHtaaan smiles. Your surprise is natural, but I beg you to realize that this is no mad whim of'a tyrant. My ministers and took this decision after careful thought and discussion. My empire is large now and embraces the South and I need a capital which is at its heart. Delhi is .o0 near the border and as you well know its peace is never free from the fear of invaders. But for me the most 3Teghlag important factor is that Daulatabad is a city of the Hindus and as the capital it will symbolize the bond between Muslims and Hindus which 1 wish to develop and strengthen in my kingdom. 1 invite you all to accompany me to Daulatabad. This is only an invitation and not an order. Only shose who have faith in me may come with me, With their help T shall build an empire which will be the envy of the world. Exits with the retinue, ‘oup maw: You can go to the Kazi-i-Mumalik for small offences. But who do you appeal to.against such madness? ‘ria wax: This is tyranny! Sheer tyranny! Move the ‘capital to Daulatabad! Such things never happened, in his father's days—may his soul rest in peace. Now he's got his father’s throne, He isn’t happy with that and— ‘youne max: What do you mean? ramp Man: What? ‘youne wan: What did you mean by that—when you said hhe had got his father’s throne? ‘np wa: Don't try to threaten me, boy. The whole capital saw it yoUNG man: Saw what? ‘rap man: You know what, vyouno man: Were you there? ‘rauno man: There were others—my friends— ‘youne aN: Hang your friends! Were you there? ‘rauro max: No! youNG max: Well, I was. And I tell you it was an accident, ‘rary Man: L see. YOUNG MAN: It was. ‘The elephant suddenly went wild, ‘The crowds must have frigntened it. It just ran and dashed against the wooden pandal. And the pandal collapsed. oxo Man: Very convenient. 4 Scene One ‘THIRD MAN: And to think the procession had been ‘arranged by the father in his honour! vouxc man: But the Sultan had gone to the mosque to pray! The old Sultan should never have had the procession at prayer time—You all know it was prayer time and the Sultan never misses a prayer! muxpu: Yes, yes, we know that. But tell me, How did the elephant know it was time for prayer? Laughter. rund Nan: All sight, don’t trust my word. But do you think a man like Sheikh Imam-ud-din would lie? Well, hie said in clear loud words that it was murder. And ‘he said it publicly—I was there! ‘oun may (cager)): You've seen the Sheikh? crminp aan: Why, of course, Only a week ago. In Kanpur. What aman! What a voice! The audience was spell-bound. And he said the Sultan's guilty of Killing his father and brother, he said. He said many other things too about Islan ae what's happening to it. It was the most inspiri speech Dve ever heard, ‘The audience vent wild and burat down half of Kanpur. You think he would talk like that if he wasn’t sure? ot MAN: They say he looks like the Sultan. ‘mrp max: No—not very much. People exaggerat You know. But he has a certain resemblance some gestures, you know, some mannerisms— ausiou: Perhaps that’s where he gets his habit of making speeches, reap wat: Watch your word, infidel, Don't you dare mock a saint like him. The avann comes out of the Court ‘ouarp: All right, all right, Go home! What are you waiting for? “The show's over! Go home— The crowd disperses. Only anzam remains, hanging arnt. Well, what do you want? 5Teghlag ‘Anzau: Nothing, I just wanted to see the Brahmin. He hhaan’t come out yet, has he? ‘ovab: Ob, get away. Wants to sce the Brahmin, if you please. ‘Be off-— anzast rticats. The GvaRD looks inte the Court and shouts. Corie out-—cuine out. Don’t be scared, Your Highness. The pmansa comes out. ‘an escort to see you Goes in and shuts the door. The marie stars t0 0. pazaw follows kim and then slwly tops him on the sould. anzan: Ho... 200.-+ The season whirls round and pulls out a dagger as he aazam: Oops. + ‘They watch each other. nazas's jaue falls in surprist. saniu: Who? Not. + not... aRausin: Aazam? Dazast: siz? What on earth... (ives a shone of jy, lifts nzuz up and whirls him round cand round eestatcally. Aviat Let me down—let me down— ‘Amaant lets him dow ‘And hold your tongue. If they find out, I’m ‘snisherl, man. axeur: Hut T don’t see you for years and then—this-- Tia? sena* Shut up! confiscated, wasn't it? aziz: Exactly, that’s what he said too. But ‘mind about that.’ So he sold me EJughlag dating the contract. And I filed my suit, Well, here Tam. Hive huudred silver dinars for nothing, and 2 pv in iis Merctul Majesty own Chil Service aazam? But what ithe had cut off your head instead? cre laughs. Anyway, why did you have to dress up in these tingoly’clodhes? Couldn't you have-come ike a proper Must? save Geandalizrd" But then shat would happen to the ‘Ning’ fnopariat justice’ A Mlwslim plant aginst Nisin Ling! Tinea, wheres the ston justice there? cre's the equality between Hindus Weal Stusins? Iron the eile hand the plernlde g Hindu. -. well, you saw the crowds, aazaits Complicated! ‘az: It's a bit too subtle for you. Anyway here's m aff From tomorvow Tin the Cl Service * hy don’t you come along too? I'll get you a jol under me. You know. Brahms wis Niwa FRen"te Sian wl ie tha \azaits No, thanks, I'm quite happy — Maize Come along, Tt wort be for kong T dow’ intend wo be a Bray pall ny life! ‘There's money here and swell make a pile by the time we reach Daulatabes aazam: And then? * Ht Daularabed. ‘tie tow should T know? SCENE TWO A room in the palace. weuasiwan is bent <3" @ chessboard, “emiling with supprested excitement. The StB0-MOTHER enters srep-norner: Muhammad— Munaniad: Ah, there you arct Absolutely at the right moment. If yon had come a minute earlier, the world would have been so much poorer. step-worter: Really? That sounds very important Movasmap: But itis. I have just solved the most famous problem in chess, Even alrAdli and as-Sarakhi fhid it was insoluble. And it's so simple— srep-woTuer: Who were they? Munasntab: Mother! How can you ask? They were the greatest chess players the world’s ever seen. srepsuomiter: What ++ T know about your chess? You'd better write to Ain-ul-Mulk about it, He'll love Munasneab: Funny yo. should mention him, T was just thinking of hirn—but not with reference to chess You see, my dear friend Ain-ul-Mulk, the companion of my childhood, my fellow champion in chess, is at this very moment marching on Delhi stepsxornes: What? What do you mean? Husmantan: Exrctly what 1 said. He is marching on. ‘Delhi with an aemy of thirty thousand, srep-wotaeR: But why, Muhammad? MUHAMMAD: I don’t know, ‘The last letter L wrote to hira ‘sked him to be the Governor of the Decean. T nerd a strong man there and I thought he would like it srep-sotuer: But there must be some other reason! {UNo reply.) What are you going to do now? MUHAMMAD: Do the best I can. But T don't even have ‘ix thousand soldiers—Look, 1 was so happy about this problem and now you've ruined it all. Anyway, you came for something? 9ughieg RENO: i deen te ny a. ty wee ae eS Sees oe soso bed a tp HINER ek Ne ei ‘hit on ise Sta sees is AW ase yeh? ‘paittts to ‘ihe hese SsHeicuortise: When Wheivdo you to ating? “atoibily, (eile): pray 0 the Nighy to sae ine ite, It Say Wg nos wo wy int eset toca Hs 'Silly we Phe igh Ral icp evap at Fhe, A Hook ai the Pleittdes tid Wht of Weise ho HN ts i tel cig 4nd Bi ea eg was a on Me nn poe ce b ‘ary foil th eel nee won fs bos eth att clit apt oir Sip, ane eth toy fei ie, ee wep ah vg Tor ya. Cn ae Ne biel Re voto eh By ne A nt pps ek ite us iy Co By OH GaN he edie GO sehen ree aH over ie sities gs Cee! ata i atte: SB ict noe ch i ahha *aeSReodM tC A geal? tit ci Benes tater se ie on ile 8 eae a, (eB, Hl ty acl Ty eh fig ie alert gue i ee ba tht tilly ee ted, laut: vey ‘ethite to'tio All Ht ith Venu. Herts dk 'h Mittighe qlleltigh Width Four 6 Scene Two siving a royal peefocmance. Even Ain-ulMatl Soesa’t seem to stop yor ~ ; woanmanp: Mather, rappose 1 die fighting Aineul-Muls— srersworeter: Stop it! ennaren No teal Tie in the bate. Want ofie> Way should 1 waste may last few days orang? Came aot sri about my cen Tm iy worried alvont Tay PEO pee ten Pompous ast! As thoug’ orher Kings didn’t do that. groatnrens No, they dide’t. Lak at she past Sukans of Dany Whey coulda't bear the weight of their crown Pee coulda deave it aside. So hey died senile in helt youth oF svore mardered. srepsoriten (sharply): Presse, Muhammad Nonawaap: What? Sreeonace: Nothing caw’e bea “aves ses wunasino: Why 201? fremacomers: 1 can't, Thor's all Silence, They ave bath tense sannainn: So nn ton taliove sh piece of goo Srursnonvion: Ws gin? . orn foci): ha n What seandhl Yoatlonen wel wont Leen. erpncormin: Don tbe sily. 1 diin’t amen amseaing et. see uc you do Inliewe it? Ama wity Stones Aber ogame mess ess i The cht Seca eitconc omy tepramnd re Thee it? ao a Aegan se nm Twente have waco oa agent seu ikon ture Titmeows. Bunt wou are my sepemothi Bltonee, lier espn eR. eswrenere i: Hh ihe mass «68 Milt, Wiizies Muboanms + wh JF to sce you jokingTughlag Najib and Zia-ud-din Baran , Nala jarani to see you, Your aectasnap: Send them in. ‘The Doon-KEEPER gots out. The sTEp-woTHER Lowers the sel on he face. Nags and BARAST enter. = MuHawMaD: Come in, come in. I was just sayis ‘Mother. fast saying io about your chess? ° yoo ello istorian—he's only interested in playing chess wit etkalowt ofthe dead: Aud Nokes pal can=> Minh wel get tore than se thousand The es Bakany } Ha the name of Allah sea Al Thon esa ake his sing Nayus: Yes, Your Majesty, and get rid of him. tte i's ee gS sys ol gis erie ing ny soa oly man vain nie tte seroren, elaine): No ‘ey en he Shey ef me’ aT alone the Sheth Wikis Pa Er int ia sau Won tha that, He hay become 2b of the rebels. As for what el Soon may ithe i Aor he he oe ay 12 Scene Two stuntaxuap: So you've heard him, Barani. What's he Tike? Is it true he looks like me? bana (flustered): A little, Your Majesty, But—how did Wufb know I had heted the Sheikh? Forgive me, Jour Majesty, but I don't like being spicd upon. anim: It's my job to know. That's why T asked you to ‘come here with me now. scamian: Surely a historian docsn’t need an invitation to watch history fake hape! Come, Barani, what wane Te ay Your Majesty said... He says the Sultan isa disgrace to Islam. somasmap: That's all? T could fi ind worse faults in me. What else? Silence, sayin: He says Your Majesty has forfeited the right to rule, ‘by murdering your father and brother at prayer time, The srep-wornen and panant react shaply, but MUHAMMAD is sill, A shot pews. unascuan (quiet): Did he say that? Banant (almoit in a whisper): Yes, Your Majesty. waRtnmap: So now they talk about it openly, do they? Mawant: He sad it in the heat of the moment, Your ‘Majesty. Tim sure he didn’t mean it. Your Majesty ‘must ignore these Tittle things. aunasntane Do you teally think parricide is « litle thing? ‘nd fratritide? And the pollution of prayer? Te's Aut what people say, Barani, it’s their crooked minds that horrify me. Look at my own mother—she (rome talk to me now—not because father died but Because my brother died in that accident, He was pesca amenable to her. whims and he would have made Fpetter king for her. So she believes T killed them. Do you know, I've just found out that even this stepmother of mine thinks T am a murderer. Silence. 3): What about the Sheikh, Your Majesty? 13 wagia (quiet)Teghtag UANBIN (A a Wied opie): Let himm babble, He as a ‘ling Bs his pritatege, In Kargror, theyre ‘aint Bat we shat do RL toting and he Started fe Now he's fore the ‘capa, BARNNE Bat Mis Majesty is wit. The people Rave becn fold WAL they have a Tieht fo eiitstize the Sabian, to oce thei gricummoes opemy. Surely this is the tne {eo sens Hi Hive Seem teins tah hres Were or seply Words. ‘The people Ak secly Keapomd to Bits injeny's conse, Homedy and Hestten. ‘vin. Eros): Cover, hesty lhe etiee! My doar Ta, we re eoabing With a Yolitieal garsbem! ‘eanynts 1 Lhow and that’s where they cout Most JBrence iat’s where the Kingdon of (shaun which the Bucsohee Rr gifted ts Mist Mosse. Oh! You won't werdicedmed it. Monn Mind ellticod fins cwshed Yee aes eyo ep Bo You Kites Why T Sie Hp Heindaiin? Becreise Hada en ‘of wbvetien of society. Th @ny walled ‘othe sorely MeN ote —hile a HAI, Serica wont wencsined Nn aeons reset, So Bucuene a Metin, atin is wweRed sone “his worl, said, Hel Mme he NAMA Al even ‘on ext, Bia Hates: ice it nk re. Dr ety he Ives nee nd WU Rep ACHE. Mente etrebut-nydenaie): So wl ees the ipeeseicensncene dere Wow? “ARNE: ROS ORs, Wosas Mapedoy. MRewas he ‘Signa. xis Noms he hin te Mon GH ne den. Me dl ti ie, ie ee te, We int re suet ME ME ene Earted: Surpass IPN? sweokoneo: apa Mc, screen ao Dah ede: H Ate ee ie! Blane.) Hue ot sec sige Milly, ous Waist, Whrenes ibrar Neen ‘gut awaietecnitin, eine) eu Honors rca a, td tN tg way Beene Two eves at! wo gal fh: a pave eee ee ‘noi? oo hee hat te ea Sore co concent oh ‘Honan HO ct ere st in’ ~ ites eer So. 12? We ‘cat waite ‘ier tiie @n “ aoteahet SS Wn ny? SwhieNX ait my go 'kttow Why seegih lo Hes ye hes etviees. ‘etek book at bias shiitse. Seviravistan: My is? \ oi pe cy, en yp ite he ig a te oa id ete Mee ‘The Geetor tien, He eet he deni, Ee ‘pavwtitld Orde “Hdl he tiple Rh WHE God atest. tes py tice, sue vie “Surety te ees ce Meet ath seh of he eden acer ic eae He Ss beste lke shore sek a Wl Tes? itt? nt saa Ny Wa: Yo. a ome fea Mh {foo iliidh. ahh “NF oe enifie: i bse, > FAC SEPT, oe eae ee soni jee sgevesigyitie: No Naa Meee Se ly gl . ZTughtag sumtannna silences her with a gesture of impatience Munamman: So, Najib, what do you propose? aim: I'can’t think of anything right now, Your Majesty —except that the Sheikh has a striking resemblance to you. evtannia, startled, stares at NAytD. Barant: What has the Sheikh got to do with this? mionasmean (slowly): You are a devil, Najib! (Pause. Then briskly). Good. We'll think’ about that. In the ‘meantime, the army should be ready to march. We'll start for Kanauj the day after tomorrow in the evening. srep-woriter: And who'll look after the administration here, Mubammad? MUHAMMAD: Najib will be here. The srep-coriten obviously doesn’t like the answer, NAjID miles ironically but not fo openty. Besides I have invited Shihab-uddin, the Prince of Sampanshahr, to be here in my absence. You see, the Amir there doesn't like me very much, so I thought inviting his son would be a nice ffiendly gesture. parant: What's all this, Your Majesty? I can’t follow a thing. But my heart embles for you. NunawmaD: Forgive me if Tet you down, Barani, but ‘must play this game my own way. Come, Najib, we must see the Commander-in-Chief. Mother, if you'll excuse us (Bows to ker.) scer-motHe: Can Barani stay for a while? I want to talk to him, ouanman: Why, yes, certainly. MUHASMAD and NajtD go cut. Silence. step-aotuxr: I don’t know what to say, Barani. T mustn't complain against my own son— paraNt: Your Highness may place full trust in me. step-notHER: I know, that’s why I asked you to stay. Iam ‘worried about him. You know what he is like. He ic 16 Scene Two such an intelligent boy ane he works so hard for the people. He doesn't even go to bed these days, (Pause,) Buc he is so imrutsive—and when he gets into one of his moods I don’t know what he'll do (Pause.) You are a sober man, Barani, level-headed and honest, and he needs frineds like you. I just wanted to ask you. ... Oh, God! It all sounds s0 stupid. . BARANI: I fully understand Your Highness's feelings. srepavorHeR: [t's not that. It’s just that I don't like so many of his advisers and friends. (Suddenly.) Please promise me not to leave him—cver—whatever he does, ARAN (overchelmed to the point of tears): May God help me to retain such confidence untarnished, I won't leave His Majesty, Your Highness, I promise you. I love him too much to do that. erep-uotuen: Look at him now. He won't show it, but ‘Ainaul-Mulle has hurt him. And this Sheikh mam. tud-din—T don’t know what he’s going to do. BaRAMI: It's not for me to advise, Your Highness, but I hhave to mention it. Tam not jealous of Najib and 1 admire his integrity. But sometimes 1 am bothered by his influence on the Sultan. zp-watvizr: I know. 1am watching. Vl wait for a Tew days. (With sudden violence.) If he goes on like this, I won't wish his fate even on a dog! BaRAst, driven (0 lears by her maternat concer, looks up startled by the venom in her voice. 7The axnounern, allover India as a Salat and as one who stands in the Grace of Allah, wil address the meeting, He will ‘His Merciful ty's administration and show where His Majesty has the Faith “His Majesty himeelf will ‘be present at the meeting to seek direction from the Revered Sheikh, and the citizens of Delhi are requesied to attend the meeting in lange numbers and do likewise Attention! Attention! SCENE THREE and samt rasteuD-bix and a few odd secant of te polece, Ne one dst, acummmonan (suddenly): T can’t bear this am 1 sate OMY Nour Majo? You Shoal be happy if no one turns vj wowaunant Do you think I would hove gone 10 the ‘rouble of szvanging this meeting if T didn’t want my ie to hear yout T-dan't want my people to be Gumb catde, Sheikhsahib; and 1 do not claim to be Gmniscient sayeelf. Iam quite willing to learn from nuaacup-bin: Will you be #3 eager when you hear me, ‘T wonder? You know I am not the type to sweeten my words because the Sultan himsell . seyuauuian: Don't I know it? The whole of Delhi has theard of the courage and integrity of Sheikh Imam. ud-din. I would not have taken so much trouble for anyone else. laps. A sexvane enters and bows. Go at once and tell the Vizier I want everyone here— all the Khans, Amirs, Sardars—everyone—and at once! rwau-up-nin: Rut Your Majesty, I havent come here to Speak o a collection of courtiers— sunawuad: And I'm afraid T can’t go now from door to ‘door asking people to come. T should have orders a: the Court today. We have been waiting for over half an hour—and not a soul has come yet nuasi-up-piv: They ay we look alike, but we don’t think ‘alike, do we? What's the point in my addressing ‘2 gang of bootlickers? I want to spcak to the people ‘who are willing to act, who are willing to de something i9Tughlag for Islam and the country. If no one comes teday, well, no matter. I'll go to the market-place tomorrow and speak there. MUNAMMAD signs fo the seRVANE to go. He goes oul MuHAMMaD: Would you believe me if I told you I have never consciously tried to go against the teneis of tascup-o1v: Please, Your Majesty, even you can't believe that! [can quote scores of transgressions. If they weren’t wilful, they could only be results of ignorance. But I can’t believe thar in w stholar of your emincise, Pethaps you are sincere, But if one fails (o understand what the Koran says one must ask the Sayyids and the Ulema, Instead you have put the best of them behind bars in the name of justice. Munlauman; They tried to indulge in polities—I could allow that. I have never denied the word of God, Sheikhsahib, because its my bread and drink. { need it most when the surrounding void pushes itself into my soul and starts putting out every light burning there. But I am alone in my lie. My Rogdorn hes zillions—Muslins, Hindus, Jains. Yes, there is dirt and sickness in my kingdom. But why should Tall on God to clean the dirt deposited by in. Puasup-bi: Because only the Voice of God, ‘he Huy Word, can do it. Please listen to me, Your Majesty ‘The Arabs spread Islam round the world and they struggled and fought for it for seven hundred yess. They are tired now, limp and exhausted. But their work must continue and we nced someone to tale the lead. You could do it, You are one ofthe mest powerful kings on earth today and you could spread tie Kingdom of Heaven on cartn. God han gen you everything—-power, learning, intelligence, talent Now you rust repay His debt. sunamuiab: No one ean go far on his knees. Ihave a long ‘ay to go. T can't afford to crawl have to gallop 20 Seene Three riurvo-ons: And you will do it without the Koran to fuide you? Beware, Sultan, you are trying to beeome Mhother God, Tvs usin worse than parce. swouninian (eng the bot)” Only an atheist can try © be God. Tan God's mest humble slave ° Yen. And slaves have offen tried to replac their mas , uicnasttab: My congratulations, Imameud-din Sahib, For a saint you are very good at innuendoes—I knox all about slaves. My grandfather was one and he became a king But that was in mundane politi ‘The analogy docsn’s work here nawerdeon: Religion! Politics! Take heed, Sultan, ms day these verbal éistinctions will rip you into two. seuss Donte | Know i? Tl remember the dys when I read the Greeks —Sukrat who took poison so he could give the world the drink of gods, Aflawon ‘who condemned poets and wrote incomparably beautiful poetry himself—and I can still feel the thrill with which 1 found a new world, a world Thad not found in the Arabs or even the Koran. ‘They tove ime into shreds. And to be whole now, I shall have to kill the part of me which sang to them. And my kingdom too is what I am—torm into pieces b visions whose validity I can't deny. You are asking me to make myself complete by killing the Greck in ime and you propose (o unily my people by denying the visions whieh led Zarathustra or the Buddha, (Smiter) Pm sorry. But it can’t be done, rwancup-pin: You are a learned man. You! may be ‘able to manage this delicate balance within yourself But a kingdom needs not one king but a line of rulers Will they manage this balance? Where are these bril- liant ‘successors of yours? Where are these guarantors pf your balanced future? Ysa find thea ark! teach therm to think like ane Fey are only cate yet, but Cshall mate men out at tow of them. Look, Sheikhs2kib, in Ieanpur yo 21Tughtaq found so riany Honest men that they burnt down the whole of Kanpur. They are still on the rampage there and your words inspire them, Now you've come (o Delhi and there isn't even a fly ¢o listen to you. Chey are staving away——at home, safe and secure whey don't want you here. Do you know why? Silence. Because they suspect you now. The moment they heard that 1, the Sultan, was onganicing a meeting i which you, my severest critic, was going to speak- they became suspicious, Why should the Sukan sponsors won coi? They have smelt tap. And wisely they have stayed! away suanct one anned) Was is @ avnawiaD: No, I promise you. ‘stas-uD-pIN:, But—you knew this would happen? Munna: 1 didn’t amt, But I half expected it. 1 ‘now my people. cpepiit? $o they think I'm your spy—and you knew it when you arranged this meeting! awitasitan: Believe me, Sheikhsahib, L'm sorry 1am not “Qsappointed. Yes, they will now decide you ave a sore they gree you as 8 spy in the mankeplace tomorrow. But -now you do sce what 1 mean, don't fou? You are known as a saint and you have riskew Your life by speaking ont against the Sultan, Yet a {rick—and they suspect you. It’s futile to think of them as members of the dar--Lilam, Generations of devout Sultans have twisted their minds and I have fo mend their minds before T can think of their souls There is a long silence. Then StE1K1 MA8-CD-DIN starts to move doxcn stews satevinois: My turn to congratulate you, Your ‘experiment was a brilliant success, Yes, [have jetrat my. lesson. Thank you—and_ good-bye sunanniad: Good-bye? You are not going? Buancb-prs: You have finished my work for me. You ‘don't want me (o wait longer, do you? For an 22 audience which won't 1810 up? sunawniad: T-aced your help, Sheikhsabib tauev-bix: Don’t play any more games with me— Ntaiab: ‘There's no time for games. I am desperate “Mincul-Mulk of Avadh is marching on Delhi at this iuancixons: What? Your intimate friend and confidant? Why? No, 1 don't wish to know why. ‘That's you know your way there. But why cell wuasteab: Because 1 want peace. 1 am willing to maxe peace but how can T'do it’ T don’t even know why Reiss turned against me. He won’t even sce may official envoys. (Peuse) But he will sec you. “The asin is about to speck, But MCHAMMAD es or. He respects you as every Muslim in. India does. He fail trust your word. ‘That's why I'm asking you~ Wil you please go as my envoy and dissuade him from this lolly? Please Sheikhsahib, I'ma not asking ‘nly for my sake but for all the Muslims who St the hands of Muslims if there isa war. Pause rwasrup-pns: [don’t trust your motives. MUHAMMAD: What do my motives matter? You can't ‘deny that this war will mean a slaughter of Muslims fat the hands of fellow-Muslims. Isn't that enough for the great Sheikh Imam-ud-din? You have attacked me for inaction. You can’t turn away now when you are offered a chance. You can't! riaseup-ois: I know 1 can't, MUMAMMAD: So you agree? Aeutub-dIN: Do you leave me an alternative? McHAsMAD (slow!y). Pil never be able to thank you ‘enough for this. CGlaps his hands. A SERVANT eners and bows. fring the robes of honour for the ruyalenvoy. At on 3Tughtag The savant departs. mwase-vn-DIN: You don’t mean the robes are ready. MUHAMMAD: Forgive me, Sheikhsahib, bat 1 knew you wouldn't refuse ‘staueun-bas: But what about Ain-ul-Mulk? Won't he also think of me as your spy? Tt won't take long before he will know of this. (Jadicate the empty auditorium) MUHAMMAD: He is not a fool. Besides he won't know. ‘There isn’t time, We have to start before nightial Ain-ul-Mulk has already started ancl we must meet hhim near the plains of Kanauj. The seavanr brings the robes of honour and the he dress on a golden plate. MUHaNMad tekes the rbe and goet near the stEIKst, ‘wantuD-DIN (stopping his): Tf you want peace, what does it matter where we meet him? woxasaad: T'do want peace. But I can’t leave anything to chance. If Ain-ul-Mulk refuses, I have to have my army in a safe place. T owe it to my soldiers Powe, ‘uaM-uv-DIN: You know, Sultan, I’m just beginning to understand why they say you are the cleverest man in the world. swciiaman: Fam an incompetent fool—will you wear the ‘robes now? iameup-orv: Very well. He pats on fhe robes, megan places the headdress on his head. They stand facing each other. The dress rakes them look even more alike L wish T could be more sure of you. SCENE FOUR The Palace. sustia-uD-Dwn is reading a few letters. There ic an announcement. POOR-KEEPER (announcing): Her “Highness the Queen ‘Mother. surmap-vo-o1s leaps up. The svep-atorner enters ond be bows €0 her sumtan-up-prv: Welcome, Your Highness. Iam most honoured by the visit but, had Your Highness sent for me, F would have come myself. srep-votuen: I suddenly felt frightened, Shihab-ud-din, T couldn't bear the tension any longer. Has there been any further news? smnas-up-pin: D'm afraid not, Your Highness. The last bulletin was received a week ago. Your Highness knows the contents. There has been nothing since then. I'm sorry but— stmp-worier: No, no, please don't apologize. I don’t know what I should have done without you here You know when Muhammad said he was inviting you to look afier Delhi, I didn’t understand him at all. Tcouldn’t see why he had to ask you, rather than a local Amir. I know now—he couldn't have chosen a better man, sutap-up-piv: Tam most grateful for Your Highness’s But T did very little, The eredit should go to Vizier Muhammad Najib. sep-morH#R: Oh! Don’t talk to me about him, Thanks to you, I didn't have to deal with him. simman-vp-bin: Your Highness’s most humble servant. The DOOR-KEEPER entert. boos-keeper: In the name of Allah, Sardar Ratansingh. surat-up-nis (excited): He is here? Send him in at once. 2Turhiay The 200R-KEEPER goes ct srep wormen: Who is that? siintap-up-pin: My adopted brother, Your Highness. srep-motier: Him! He'll have news of the front then! RATANSINGH enlers, SOIBAB-UD-DIN goes to hime in great excitement and embraces him. surtap-p-piv: Welcome, Katansingh. What happened? RATANSINGH: His Majesty is back in Delhi. We arrived ‘a few minutes ago. stepsworner: Oh, then I must go, ReTANSINGH: Forgive me, Your Highness, but His Thas gone to see the Vizier. He has asked me form Your Highness that he will be here any minute, The srey-wovien doesn’t like it, Bur she nealows st svepacorner: But [can't understand it. Why didn't he fend word he was coming? Why this secrecy? RATANSINOM (hesilates): L don’t think it was meant to be ‘eeret, Your Highness. It's just that His Majesty seems Much affected by the death of Sheikh Imam-ud- writainan: We must go now, Najib, Delhi'will observe + day of mourning tomorrow lor Sheikh Imam-uedin, and there will he no festivities 10 celebrate the victory. When men like him die, irs a sin to be ali, Game, Mother, Good-bye, Shihabrudtin All eseipt soa A brief silence, Nand RATANSINOH go. rANsivent: 1 have never seen an honest sco ue Sultan. He muzders ma ichually enjoys the feeling of guilt bomep-pis: What are you talking about? sessansesent: Pm silent! erate bbs: Pm sorry. But you have never hiked the Sultan, [don't know why. -Afier all that he has done for the Hinds weTANSINGIt: Ves indeed, who ean deny that! He is impartial! Haven't you heard abou the Doab? He levied such taxes on the poor farmers dhat they preferred to starve. Now there's a famine there. And of course Hindus as well as Muslims are dying. ‘with absolute impartiality ° eam-cp-nin: What's that got to do with Sheikh Imam-wdedin? “ sevtassixcil: Idan’ know, But F tell you Tin glad to ‘Scape the Sulian's impastiaiey anal be alive furabathebis: Mant yo spina riddles? 28 indrel. ike calmly and then Scene Four RatanstNeH And do you really want to know the truth? ‘AIL right. Because you insisted, T went to fight ‘alongside the Sultan. Lwent and saw him in Kanayj, He didn’t seem too pleased to see me. He actually seowled. 4 Sultan's sow 9 tere thing, : ‘Next day I see what the scowl is doing. Sheikh: Imamud-din is to go and propose peace to Ainsul-Mulk. A plitoon of soldiers is to accompany him. And Tam placed in the front rank of the platoon. You know what that means. The front Fank never survives a battle svtatsixoit: The Sheikh is delighted about being the ultan’s peace cmissary. He looks gorgeous—all Gresced up in royal robes, a roval turban, even royal Slippers, and sitting on the royal elephant. Tu fact, he Tonks exactly like the Sultan, 1 (Suspicious): And the Sultan? What was he naransinen: I didn’t know it then, but he was hiding behind some hills with the rest of the army. Laying a trap. ran-vp-pin: A trap? ~orananoat So we marched towards Alneul Mulks army Ted by the gorgeous Sheikh on the royal clephant, ‘The dephant halted about a hundred yards away from the enemy. The Sheikh stood up on it and tried to say something when a trumpeter on our side sounded the charge! The battle was on—yes, my hab, Aincul-Mulk didn’t start the battle. We did! stunan-up-pin: And the Sultan? “1 unclerstand what was happening. ‘Neither did the Shcikh, obviously. His face was twisted with fear bit he was shouting at the top of | his voice asking us to stop. He didn't stand a chance. Arrows poured into hint and within. minutes Tie Tooked a gory huiman porcupine “Tughtag smtas-uD-pin: And the Sultan? Didn’t he do anything? Ravansinon: He did! The Sheikh plunged down from” the elephant and over his corpse we fled in confusion. ‘The enemy was convinced the Sultan was dead and they pursued us, They walked right into the trap. yaa the Moodie sauce Te ever een. fe won! (Pause) Sheikh Imam-ud-din was murdei ‘you know. In cold blood. " ered ‘sumaaenp-piy: Oh my God! Ratanaixont: This isn’t all. There’s a longer history al this. (Pawse.) Do you want to hear it? (Pat) Listen, in a few days the nobles of the court and the important citizens of Delhi are going to hold a seeret ting to discuss... (Steps, seuaa-up-pin: What? (Sees) Rataninon: How should I know? I haven’ ee wren How 2 ‘now? I haven't attended suuaz-up-piN: How do you know about it? RATANMNOH: Ah! That's Delhi for you! They were looking for recruits and the moment they realized the Sultan had tried to kill me, off they discreetly approached me and invited me, They have asked You 20 ncdenally, They hope you won't be apathetic towards The attempted ‘murder of your Lop apathetic towards Ye attempted ide of y Silence. Ihave accepted the invitation, of course. Would ‘you like to come along too? Silence. Why, Shihab, you look pale! SCENL FIVE A house in Delhi. a collection of -Amirs, Sazyids, eta. ‘SHimtaw-UD-DIN and RATANINGH, sumar-vo-pix: I'll be plain with you. If you don’t live the present administration, that’s your problem. Tm an outsider in Delhi, I've nothing to do with i. ‘anim 1: But that’s the whole point, don't you see? You're the only man he won't suspect: suman-vp-p1e: T hope that’s not a point against him fasnn it: Besides, the people in Delhi never trust each ‘other. It’s the climate. They have to have an cutsider to lead them! stman-up-pi: Lead ther in what? jose 1: Just consider this, Why is he taking us to Daulatabad? Have you wondered about that? Piltell you, He wants to weaken the Amirs. You see, we are strong in Delhi. This is where we belong But Daulatabad is 2 Hindu city and we'll be helpless hore, ‘We'll have 10 lick his feet. wa. 11: And it’s no use his saying stay behind if vou like ‘We have to be in the capital! sow m: Look at what's happening in Delhi. Just look ‘at it! You can’t take a step without paying some tax or another. There's even a iax on gambling. How are we to live? You can't even cheat without having to pay tax for it. suucan-up-piw: But he has don a lot of good work. Built Schonis, roads. hospitals. He has made good use of the money. sayoap: Then why can’t he get it the right way? The Koran sanctions only four taxes, but. .. (Looks at RATANSINGH and stops.) AATANSINGH (smiles): Carry on, sir, Don’t mind me. T'm There hecare $! i! .5's here: othersvise Tam invisible! 31Tughtag savip: Well... uhm, he could. tax the Hindus. The Jiziya is sanctioned by the Koran. All infidels should ay it. Instead he says the infidels are our brothers. SHIHAB-UD-DIN (getting up in disgust): Come, Ratansingh, let's 0, This is worse than I thought. They don’t desorve to kiss the hem of the Sultan’s dress. The others are ofended and retreat RATANSINGH: Ah, well. . Gets up At ths point an old man who has ben sting ina core all along sips freed sn: Shibaban-din-— ssuunas-up-pm: Tsaid Tam not going to sseciat,. situnats Shihab-ud-din, Thave newer asked anything of ‘anyone but Allah. Today I implore you. Tn the name of Allah help i stiman-uo-ome (inprased by the old man's age ad snc ‘Who are your “ » ssp (contenptrus): Don't you know? He is Sheikh Shamo-udedin Tajudeayim? ssnmaz-uo-bie: Sheikh Shamn-ad-din? Sir, what is a holy man like you doing in this company sseseat: Yes, you are right. Tshould shut myself up in a ‘esque and devote myself fo Allah. T shoulfm fet mined up in the treacherous garaes of poligeans, Tiknow and I had hoped my ie would be tke thar But Allah i ony forme, Shihabrding He for everyone who believes in him, While tyranny. erator the faithful into dust, how ean I continue to hide in my hole? Haven't you heard. what's happeniag to the leaders of Islam today? Sheith Haided 3 ia prison. Sheith Hood s+ stumas-uo-pot: I know. But they dabbled in polities, sunnna: Tdi 30 reprehensible to worry about posit Is ie crime to speak ont for oneself and ce’ ily? What politics dia Sheth Inanvuc-gin indulge te? “That He was open, tent atel hones? samapcup-pev T dont know enough about that, But 32 Scone Free isha Sh et et 1 blame the Sultan for his death. door threatening dire consequences if anyone dared Silence somas-vb-pty (sow): Does the Sultan know this? ‘More loughter: “They were his orders! And do you know, ‘while the Sultan stood in front of the Great Nosque With the Sheikh and got more and more agitated aU the empty auditorium, his solders were hiding in the streets around stopping those who tried to come You don't believe it? ook here. (Unbuttons is shit and shows o round on hs shoulder) 1 tried to force my way to the Big Mosque and this i What gos for it, Who else would do ths to a0 old tina Hike ae? ustassivouts There, you see! That explains why he Wiad to nite you from Samparshahr to look aficr ‘elhi in his Absence. There's confidence for you? meTaghiag simman-uo-pis (doggedly): Perhaps. But it’s done me nc harm. RATANSINGH: OF course not, Had he meant to harm you, ‘you wouldn't be here to talk about it! sseigit: Will you only think about yoursell, Shihab-uxl-in? ‘You are the strong, the powerful in this country. You have the capacity to set things right. Won't you worry a little about the people? The citizens of Delhi don’t wish to go to Daultabad, but they are weak Will yeu do nothing for them? How many people like Sheikh Imam-udlalin have to die before you'll be ready wo act? No reply asin 1: We have to act now-—while the army here is still tived and disorganized. We have to do something while you're here. [f you won't join us, will you at east promise not to fight against us? siman-up-pin: 1 know foo much now (0 remain neutral, TRATANSINGH (witha sudden burst of anger: "Then why not join them? Even my infidel blood boils when I think of Sheikh Imam-ud-din and Sheikh Shams-ucl-din here. You accuse the people of Delhi of cowardi and yet you won't raise a finger to correct an obvious wrong. (Gets up.) Come, let’s go to the palace. “he probiema of justice won’ bother ws there. avin 1: You must help us, Shihabeud-din, Sent: Islam needs your help. siutgscD-prx: What do you want me to do? You don't heed me, You need ity father, Ue is the strong man and «ven the Sultan is afraid of hum, But you're ina husy. ¥ can only swell your numbers —little else axravstNeft: Don’t be stupid, Shihab. Don’t tell me yeu still ¢hit.k the Amirs want to fight the Sultan in the apen, stine-u-pne «aks up at him sharply. RATANSINGH smiles aud turns te Fest ‘You see what itis, Sh"sab is a clever young man a4 Seene Five bout he's just to9 nice! You see his father. snunanct-ix: Don't, Ratansingh. . . Ratasuou: Come on, every one knows about it! His father is supposed to have killed my father by treachery and usurped the kingdom. Shihab cat orget that. He wants to make up for it. ‘That's why Tim here, as his adopted brother. .\nd that’s way the just can't stand the mention of treachery. (To suitav-co-p1s,) Don’t overdo it. You'll have to face it some day. Afier all, what did the Sultan do to Sheikh Imam-ud-din? savvip: Tt’s not going to be easy. We can't afford to ‘make mistakes. sour itt E know, Ihave been (rying to think of some way But it just gives me'a headache A long silence xatanaxc: L have a plan, It's perfect. Samiaa-o-pin: Yes? nataxsinen Ves. The Sultan, as you know, is a fanatic ‘about prayer. He has made it compulsory for every Maat to pray ive dimes a day saver: That's his only saving grace GATANGINGH: Quite! Even the soldiers have to pray, and ‘while they pray they are not allowed to carry arnis. Which means that at the time of prayers, the whole palace is unarmed. Lang pause. Asus: Tr takes a Hindu to notice that! (Half terrified by the simplicity of it all.) So? aavanainen: Next Tuesday the Amirs here will be ‘seeing the Sultan for the Durbar-i-Khas, See that ‘you prolong the meeting tll the prayer hour. Pray ‘with him, You'll only need an extra couple of hundred soldiers outside the palace. “The muczzin's call (o prayer will be the signal of attack! ‘There is an unconsferteble silence, ante it (quietly): Fantastictughlag swevio: But kill some one during prayer... mmr t: And a Muslim too. . , Ng Praye atanstson: Where's your Toly Koran? ‘The tyrant doesn’t deserve to" be considered among the faithful And then, fe killed his own father ding prayer tie, afer al oun’! hats rue. But. Hatansison: That's my plan Think of a better one if you ca. soa’ 1: But we'll have to sinuggle arms into the palace ‘uk it: That can be arranged ° suum t: You are sure? ‘same m: OF course, Tm sure. I think this is a brilliant plan ‘un it: If simple. They alt talk animate surat: No, we can’t have it! Sudden silence as they al! turn to sueiKH sHass-cD-DIN, suumiap-up-pex: Why, pray? suimakit: You can’t pollute the time of prayer. It's a sacred time. We can't stain it with dhe blood of a Mussulman. aun 1: OF come, we can always make up later. Do ‘penance for it suieuit: But prayer isn’t penance. Remember we are here to save Islam, not to insule it avn 1: Don't get excited. Islam will benef in the long run, peat sues. (0 stutas-uD-D1N, pleading): You can't agree this Shihab-ud-din, You ‘are the ont sensible erson here. You can’t agree to this sacrilege Qoa'can't do this to Islam. Hea suman-up-Dor: Does your Islam work only at prayer? ‘You have persuaded me to do what t had gworn never to do—jou, Your Holiness. L'm sure the Lord will not mind an interrupted prayer. (To the oles.) Al right, let's get down to the details. We have to work everything out carefully. (Suddls.) Must wedo this, Ratan? Mast we? an SCENE SIX ‘The Palace. MUHAMMAD, NAJIB and BARANI. Silence for « ankle, MUHAMMAD is restless and paces up and down. sarawt: Why are you both so quiet? naym: Oh, shut up! MUHAMBEAD: Please, Najib. Silence again, The DOOR-KEEPER enters. poor-xeerer: In the name of Allah. The Amirs have ‘come for the Durbar-i-Khas. Munanmap: Send them ‘The DOOR-KEEPEIR goes oul. BARANE and Najio stand up. The avn enter along with suRHAB-UD-DIN ‘They greet each other. sour 1: In the name of Allah, agin smiles to himself. auHAsexan (with obvious warmth): Come in, come in, Please take your seats. 1am glad you have all come or tine, 1 want to finish the Durbarkhas as soon as posible. 1 have promied the Imam Tl be at the mosque for today’s prayer. That doesn’t give us much time, I'm afraid, Are there any special problems any of you wish to raise? No reply. Excellent! T have only two topics myself, Not _ much to discuss there, but naturally I want to inform the Durbari-Khias before announcing to the public. First, Lam very happy (0 ‘nform you that Abbasid ‘Muhammad has accepted my vase witation to visit our capital. Sitence, ‘wiz 1: Who is he, Your Majesty? 37Lughiag auin tt: Tam affaid I have never heard of that name... musasman: Well, that’s nothing to be ashamed of. ‘Abbasid Ghiyas-ud-din Muhammad is not exactly famous, He is a member of the hallowed family of the Abbasid Khalifs. ‘Silence while the amis digest this bit of news which obviously makes no sense to them, BARAMI: It’s good news that a descendant of the last Khalifis visiting us, Your Majesty. suraan-up-piN: May I compliment His Majesty on his wisdom? manana: Wisdom? What a strange wort to me. ‘Why wisdom? A visit by the descendant of the Khalif could show how faithfal T am or how religious Tam or even perhaps how modest, But why do you say ‘wisdom’? Do you thinie I am inviting him to placate the stupid priests? stimtan-uo-piv: I didn't mean to, . aviavwad: You know, since Sheiith Imam-ud-din died T have been asking myself just one question, Tam a king. 1 wear the royal robes, I have honoured myself with the title of Sultan, But what gives me the right to call myself a King? The amis are bafied, ‘Am Ia king only because I am the son of a king? Oris i beeause 1 can maie the people seept my Jaws and the army move to my commands? Or can self-confidence alone justify it? I ask you-— all of you—what would you have me do to become a real king in your eyes? Silence. Nagin (disapproving): Your Majesty— thats outa alent’ The others ony tet me what T should not do but not what 1 should. Until T know what else to do, Shihab-ud-din, I have to go fon clutching the sceptre in my fis. But I arm noc bappy and T am turning to tradition and history 38 Scene Six now and seeking an answer there—in the bless ofthe Abbaskl Khali "= aume 1: The sins of Delhi will be washed clean by the visit of s0 great a man. asta: You bring tears to my eyes, But the great ‘nian isn't coming to Delhi, We shall be in Daulatabad by then. siinAB-UD-DIN: T implore Your Majesty not to move tie capital to Daulatabad. Iam not from Delhi myvelt and have no stake in it. But I know the people of Delhi are very unbappy about the move. have aicatannan: What am T to do, Shibabaud-din? 1 hace explained every reason to them, shown how ay empire cannot Hourish with Delhi as its capital, But how eas explain tomorow 10 those who haven't ‘even opened their eyes to the light of today? Levs hot waste more tine over that. They'll se te point soon, THs getting late and 1 must tell you the more important news. From next year, we shall have copper currency in ous empire alg with the silver dinars, asin 1: Whatever for? T mean what does one do with a ‘copper coin? unrasiay: Exchange it for a silver coin! .\ copper coin will have the saine value as «silver din suuian-up-pin: Lut T don’t understand, Your Majesty, ‘How ean one expect a copper coin to have the same value as a silver one? MUHAADIAD: IU’ a question of confidence. A question of teust! The other day I heard that in Chana they have paper currency—-paper, mind you--and yet it works because the people accep. it. They have faith in the Emperor's seal on the pieces of paper, As 1 (ihispers (0 the next man) T told you he's mad! MUHAMMAD: Whai was that? uur 1: T was just saying people here won't accept copper ‘currency. Mewanwap: Thea why not say it aloud? Because people 39 ieTughisg ‘are afraid, will you mistrust me too? Laugh at me Sf you like, criticize me, but please don’t distrust me I éan order all 9 dey me bu tll se, Bow do J gain your full trust? I can only beg for it. (tie) T have hopes of building a new future for India and I need your support for that. If you don't understand me, ask me to explain myself and [il'do it, If you don't understand my explanations, ‘bear with me in patience until I can show you the result, But please dou’ let me down, I beg you, Tl knee! before you if you wish but please don’t let {go of my hand. ~ Hie kneels before them. The nsva almost receil ob this ‘sudden gesture. suuman-up-pin (embarrassed): But, Your Majesty, it's ot fora king to beg He mart command. We are your ever-willing servants. aunanuap? Is this your voice alone Shihab-ud-din, or do the rest of the Amirs agree with you? ‘swans: OF course we all do—no question of it—Your “Majesty should trust us... wonaumuad: Thank you! Gets up, walks up to the throne, picks up o copy of the Koran lying on it Will you all then take an oath on the Koran to support me in my measures? A long tense silence, smmap-vp-pin: Does His Majesty austrust us 30 much ‘that he needs an oath on the Koran from us? MuRAsaZAD furs tim in a sudden burst of rage, then controls Rinself and replaces the Koran on the throne, Silence again. The DOOR-KEEPER enters poon-xeeren: In the name ot Allah, I's the hour of ‘prayer, Your Majesty. Scone Six MuttaMatan stands silent for a while. The atmosphere i very tense. aaurrasnan (very slowly): We'll all pray here. ‘The DooR-KeEPER bowes and exits. AL the same moment, the muxzzin's voice is heard calling the faithfot to the prayer. wurzans (of-stage): Alla-Ho-Akbar! Alla-Ho-Akbar! ‘Alla-Ho-Akbar! Alla-Ho-Akbar! ‘Ashahado La Elaha Ililah Ashahado La Elaha Illilah Ashahado Anna Muhammadur Rasool Ilah Ashahad) Anaa Muhammadur Rasool Tllah ‘Haiyah Alis Salaat—Haiyah Alis Salaat Haiyah Salil Falaa—Hoiyah Salil Fala ‘Alla-Ho-Akbar! Alla-Ho-Akbar! La Elaha Iillah. As soon as the wvezzin’s call begins, MUHAMMAD tnbuckles his sword and places it onthe throne, About dozen servants enter with pots of walr, in eich thase on the stage wash ther hands, faces, heads and fet. “Another seroant brings about & dozen mats on a plank and takes them round. Back person picks up a mat and preads it facing west, They tart praying. MUAMOMAD leads the prayer. Half way through the prayer a commotion is heard offstage. Taking that as cue, SHiAB-UD-DIN and the astm get up and pullout their daggers. BARANt (frightened): What's this? What’s this? The nwns step towards the throne, near which monawaD is praying, Suddenly from behind the curtain near the throne about lcenly Hindi solders rush in with spears and Surround tie asins. One or too ssn try to run out tut the soldiers bar their way. The awans stand frozen in fear, then saul throw down their daggers. The Soldier’ drag them away-—all exept SHIHAB-OD-DI. White allthis i going om, MUHAMMAD goet on fr unconcerned. Only after finishing the prayer does he 4“Tughlag se dun fom he tre. ney oe is silent for a stimas-up-pin: How did you guess? MUHAMMAD: Do you reaily want to know? sHtAB-Up-pmv: You arer't worried about hurting my feclings, are you? aconauaeap: There was a letier in my letter-r00m today. ‘A strange letier—strange because, unlike all the others, itdidn't abuse me and it was signed. (Pause.) By Ratansingh. soiHan-UD-DIN (smiles): Do. you really think I'll believe that? It’s the oldest trick in the world. sutaymap: Why should I lie to @ dead man? Takes out the leter from his robe and holds it before SHIMEAD-UD-DIN, SHMMARAUDADIN looks: crushed and Srighiened. SHIHAB-UD-DIN (almast to himself) is doing this to me? agin He fas disoppeared without a age! aonanman: Let me ask you something. id you to against me? Whit wrong have T done yous. siuman-uD-pix: What's the point? You won't understand it anyway, Won't 1? Or could it be that you don't But does he say why he sui an-un-piw (suddenly sole!) Get on with your ‘ailing, Muhamaiad. Or does your hand refuse to rive against me? Beware! You won't be able to trap me with your wiles. T am not Ain-uleMulle to live erushed under your kindness. scvmanouan slowly takes out his dagger. sHIBABAUD-DIN is geting more ard nore frightened, He is almost Scyeaming noe a8 i speaks. You want to solve all problems in the flash of a dagger, don’t you? But you can't stop this uprising now. My faiher distrusts you and I've already written to hhim, about everything here ... everything 2 Scene Six agin: Sorry, but Ratansi SHLTAB-CD-DIW (screaming): Where will you hide my. corpse? How will you gag my voice? Kill me— but you won't stop this—this will go on— wunanman: T eould have killed you with a word. But Tike you too much. Stabs him. Then almast frenzied, goes on stabbing him. ‘Hits ou! at suimtan-vo-Din’s dead body with a ferocity that makes even the soldiers holding the body turn away in hare. parant: Your Majesty—he’s dead! MOHAMMAD slops, then flings the dagger away in disgust. aumanan (anguished): Why must this happen, Barani? ‘Are all those T trust condemned to go down in history fs traitoss? What is happening? Tell me, Barani, will my reign be nothing more than a tortured scream ‘which will tab the night and melt away in the silence? He is trembling all over. At a sign from wage, the soldiers lay the body doen om a miat and go axtay. MUHAMMAD stares atthe body. Najib, see that every man involved in this is caught and beheaded. Stulf their bodies with straw and hang them up in the palace-yard. Let them hang there for a week, No, send them round my kingdom. Let every one of my subjects see them. Let every cone see what .-. (Chote) nanant: What will that achieve, Your Majesty? What's the use? Paws. ayia: We must do something about Shihab-ud-din's Baber eb 9 pores tm db wont ie chs MOHAMMAD (regaining control of himself): Don't wor ‘about him. Make a public annotneement that there ‘was a rebellion in the palace and that the nobles of the court tried to assassinate the Sultan during prayer. Say that the Sultan was saved by Shihab-ud-din 8 has sent those letters to us.Tughlag who died a martyr’s death defending him. The Tuneval will be held in Delhi and will be grand ‘Mfane Tnvite his father to it and cee that he i trated ‘vith the rexpeet due to the father ofa loyal nobleman. nanant: Oh Gon! Aren't even the dead free from your lies? agi: Your Majesty, if this incident is to be kept a secret, ‘'m afraid well have to hang everyone who was here even the Hindu guards. They remained Ioyal to Your Majesty but they have seen it all and are bound to tall It docs mean more corpses But then that'll only make the show more impressive. uHamMad: Najib, I want Delhi vacated immediately, Every living soul in Delhi will leave for Daulatabad twiti'a a fortnight. I was 00 soft, cam ace that now. They'll only understand the whip, Everyone must Teawe, Not light should be sven in the windows of Delhi, Not a wisp of smoke should rise from its, chimneys, Nothing but an emply graveyard of elk wl satisfy the now. axants May Heaven protect ut Nouasoub: Call on Heaven while you can, Barani— you may not get another chance. What Hopes I had ‘Suit up when T came to the throne! T had wanted every actin my kingdom to become a prayer, every prayer to become a further step in knowledge, every, Step to lead us nearer to God. But our prayers 100 are ridden with disease, and must be exiled. ere will be no more praying in the Kingdom, Najio. Anyone caught praying wil be severely punshed. Henceforth let the moment of prayer walk iy streets in silence and leave without a trace. a: Bat that would only be playing into the hands of the Ulema, Your Majesty. I suggest we say there'll he eo more prayen til Chiyacsit-in Abbasid, the descendant of the Khali, vaits us. God alone knows when he'll come. Besides, itll make such a beautiful little paradox! MUHAMMAD does not reply. ATID goes ov. BARANT 4 Seene Six obs, seAsMAAD slands staring at sHIMIAB-UD-DI'S “arpoe, BaRAs gels up, lakes the silken cloth fom the throne and slarts spreading it on the corpse. But Uta caso tle elk aside aonmauap: Don’t cover him, Barani, T want my people to see his wounds. 4“The announcer, - ansouncer: Attention! Attention! The Mereifal Sultan Muhammad haa declared that within the next month every citizen of Delhi must leave for Daulatabad. ‘No one should remain behind in Delhi. Anyone who attempts to stay behind or to go elsewhere will be severely punished. All arrangements have been made to ‘ensure the comfort of citizens on the way to Daulotabad. All the needs of the citizens, regarding food, clothing or sedicine, will be catered to by the State. eis hoped that every citizen will use these amenities to the full and be in Daulatabad. as soon as possible, Attention! Attention! se £2 SEVEN A camp on the Dethi-Daulatabad route, xz sill dressed as a Brahmin, and Axzaut, A WNDU WOMAN is kneeling in front of my wowAn: Please let me go, sir... My child. please have-mercy on it... only for a day, sir... aziz! Ltold you I can’t, No one can be allowed out of sight until we reach Daulatabad, Pm sorry, but Thave my orders vamou wouan But Til ctu omorroy, 7 ear child T will... It’s aying, Your Excellency, Thave to take ittoa doctor. ‘aziz: But what can I do? There's the hakim's tent. Go tohim. He'll give you some medicine, (Ina low voice) Te toKd you what you can do. T ‘could try and bribe my senior officials, but you'll have to pay for fnnu wouas: But [haven't gota plea on rey Your Excellency. And what will J give the doctor? ‘My husband’s also il, sir, please, T hold your feet— please let me go. aziz T can't waste any more time on you. There’s a lot of, ‘work here, Stop screaming and get back to your tent—I said, get back to your tent! ‘The WixDU WOMAN goes out weeping. ‘aazam: Poor thing! Why don’t you let her go? “The doctor may help her. sziz: Have you seen the child? No witch-doctor can save it now. My uiece had that illness and went out like a light, It’s a waste of good money and she’s going to need every paisa of it. I'm doing her a favour! And watch out for paise, Aazam; they're going to cost a lot soon. 47Tughtag Footsteps are heard off-stage. aziz buries his head into ‘is books. A family comes in. A man with a woman tand six kids. They come and stand. azve continues p read. Aazast, embarrassed, wanders around without Tooking at them. The family waits patient. ‘Three more families! They must be walking on their knecs. ‘Looks wp ard stares at the max.) So you've come at last, have you? Perhaps you went to Visit your invlaws on the way, Don't you know the orders? You were supposed to be here well before sunset. ~ ax: What was I to do, Your Excellency? There were ‘two corpees there on the road. Poor things! They aust have walked till their hearts gave out. I thought, sinner that I am, T would at least give thems a decent burial, Your Excellency Aazas: Poor soub, From which camp were they, do you think? ” * aziz: L hope you checked whether they were Mustins fore burying them. aoe Whi to-do all that, Your Excellency? 1 did what T could. aziz: And what if they wert Hindus, pray? You know they don't bury their dead. You'll be in trouble if some one finds out, Actually I ought to send you back to dig them up again. It's against the orders to insult of cause harm to Hindusm— maw: T just didn't think of it, Your Excellency. Sinner that Tam, I thought I would lighten the burden of my sins by giving them a resting place aziz: Leave the corpses alone in future, What did you do in Delhi, sinner that you are? wan! Tama Kafr, Your Excellency. I have to guard the dead bodies in the palace yard—those executed by the Sultan, you know. I have to guard them for a week, tent at a time, sir, and then earry them to the canal outside the city. ‘There again I have to guard them against thieves. anzants Thieves? Ugh 48 Scene Seven ‘MAN: Isn't it terrible, Your Excellency? But there it is. "That’s what men have come to. The relatives of ihtidead have to pey us fine before taking the pe Well he orders had becn obeyed T would Fave bulla house by now. But no, they wont pay PONE Plthe dead! ‘They come at ight and steal them. Not just the poor. Even the rich folk—the most respectable people of Delhi! I could tell you ‘fa name or two and you wouldn't believe it, It is tenibte, People wore sop at anything once dey Uiyget inte the habit of thieving, thats certain, an loks of aazans and fngh. AAZAGSgrinaces ese: So thiss your amily, Aleight here? Man: Yes, Sir, aziz: Get on with you there. There's a tent * for you. YET Whatever happens to the other, people like = te BRET ae te like you soon, So what are you going to do till the Sultan arrives in Daulatabad? Another couple of ass Wall we have deceled to get martied fis, Your eellncy. aazan (in dsgut): On God! Sika Gaslgete): Coulda find tie frit in Dei sir wrens Gamay, Go away! The family goes off. God, what a dirty ma am feeling sick. aziz: I like such people. ‘They are the real stoic. azant: [just keep thinking of that poor woman. Why ‘Gon't you let her see the doctor? I'm sure she'll come back, Loot, if you want money, tell me. There are enough rich men in this camp. Tl get some in no time, Don't you do anything ofthe kind! You't ruin us ‘both if they catch you. -azam: We'll be ruined anyway ul ‘then tomorrow. What other future's ryTughlag One day my fingers will slow clowa, Ill ger eaugh ‘Then, no arms! No legs! A torn mat ard a begg! bowl, that’s al azinz You are a hopeless case, you know, Patheti You've been in Delhi for so many years and you're a: stupid as ever. Look at me. Only a few months i Delhi and T have discovered a whole new workl- politics! My dear fellow, that’s where our future is politics! 11’s a beautiful’ world_—wealth, success, position, power—and yet its full of brainless people, eople with not an idea in their head, When T oink of all the tricis L used in our village to pinch a few torn clothes from people—if one uses half that intelligence here, one can get robes of power. And not hive to pinch them either—get them! Iv fantastic world! The tuxpy woman is heard wailing 3 ‘That's that Hindu woman. Her chikt’s dead. ‘She'll complain against you now. If you go on like this, Aziz, we'll soon keep the Kalir Company in Daulatabad. ‘Aziz: Don't call me Aziz. I've wld you. As for her, ve only obeyed my orders. Besides Pm a Brahmin and she won't complain against a Brahmin to a Mus im olficer, That'll send) her to hell straight. [1 any case—and listen to this carefully—we won't stay in the Sultan’s service for Jong. T heard some rumours in Delhi. The Sultan's going to iniroduce copper coins s00n. ‘And a copper coin will have the same value asasilver dinar. What do you say to that? Av Rant (making a face): Eyah! There's no fun in stealing copper coins. cit: Shut up! Just listen to what I'm telling you— fou are ot going to pinch any coins, you are going {o'make them. Make oui ty you unre? If your fingers are getting restless, use them there. (Wa offstage) Hat There's the hex ott ‘Buris his head in his books 50 SCENE EIGHT A. D, 1932. FIVE YEARS LATER ‘The fort at Daulatabad. Two watckmen—one young, the other Past his middle-age. Night. ‘ound Max: What time do you think it is, grandfather? ote MAN: Must be just past midnight. vouno stan: Only that? Good God! When I was in the army, less than two seconds seemed to divide the lamp-lighting hour from the daybreak. Now the night scarcely moves. coup tans Tes only whew you wait for the morning thatthe night stands still, A good sentry must forgct that morning even exists. ~wouna man (looking down the side of the fort): What a fantastic fort! T have a good head but even my head goes round when T look down. And isn’t that long white thing the road from Daulatabad to Delhi? DUD MAN: Yes. ‘youno MAN: ‘They say it’s the widest road in the world, But it looks no bigger than a thin snake from here. otw mars: And four years ago that snake bit a whole ety to death, ‘youna Max: What a fort! What a magnificent thing! T'met a foreign visitor the other day and he said he has been round the world and not seen any fort as strong as this anywhere” No army could take thi tp man: No, if this fort ever falls, it will crumble from the inside. YouNG MAN: You don’t love this fort very snuch, do you, grandfather? tp aw: Tam a man of the plains, son. I find it hard to breathe in this eagle nest. ‘vous man; You are from Delhi? 5Tughlag max: Yes Pouwe sian: Was it hard, coming from Delhi to here? ‘ved. But my family was more fortunate, on the way. They all di youne aN (ompatieticalf): Tam sorry. The arrangements Tmust have been very bad, ouo nan: Oh no, ‘fhe merciful Sultan had made rfect arrangements, But do you know, you can five a cay like a woman? My old father had lived in Delhi all his life, He died of a broken heart. Then my son Isinail. He was six years old—would have been ten now! ‘The fine dust that bung in the air, fine as sila, i¢ covered him like a silken shroud. ‘Afier him, his mother. Silence. The ¥ouso Man is enbarrasied. vouxe MAN: Tell me more about this fort, grandfather. Ts it true there is a strange and frightening passage within this fort? Dark, they say, like the new moon night. | ‘ono wan Yes, it’s a Tong passage, a big passage, coiled Iihc‘an enormous hollow python inside the belly ofthe fort, And we shall be far, far happier when that python breaks out and swallows everything in sight—~ Every man, woman, child, and beast Footsteps efstage. ‘oun sean (oniing his spear): Who is that? Neaasnead: Muhammad. Youxo max: Muhammad? What Mubammad? Grp MAN: Shut up, fool, 11s the Sultan. aumaxnaD walks in—-almost in trance, nova: Tn the mame of Allah! Memaantan (to the old rar): Go and tell Barani I want to see him, The OLD MAX bows and retires. younti MAN? I beg your Majesty’s pardon for my iinpertinence, 1 didn’t realize. . 32 Scene Hight auxaMman: Don’t worry. You were doing your du! Goes to the edge of the wall and looks down. vouxe aan: Your Majesty must forgive my impudence, ‘but I beg Your Majesty not to-go too near the edge of the fort, 11's a very steep fall. MUnAMMAD (smiles): You are new here, aren't you? YouNc an: Yes, I am, Your Majesty. T was in the army all these years. They sent me here yesterday. Tam very sorry if I've said anything wrong, Your Majesty auMAaMaab: Don’t apologize at every word, If you stay here long enough you'll anyway learn to ooze spittle before everyone. Be yourself at least until chen. How old are you? youno MAN: Nineteen, Your Majesty. ausaman: Nineteen. Nice age! An age when you think you can clasp the whole worid in your palma like a rare diamond. I was twenty-one when I came to Daulatabad first, and built this fort. I supervised the placing of every brick in it and T said to myself, one day I shall build my own history like this, brick by brick. One night 1 was standing on the ramparts of the old fore het. There was a torch neat me flapping ite wild wings and scattering golden feathers on everything in sight. ‘There was a haitbuilt gate nearby trying to contain the sky within its cleft, Suddenly something ypened—as though some one had cast a spell. ‘The toreh, the gate, the fort and the sky—all melted and merged and flowed in my blood-stream with the darkness of the night. The moment shed its symbols, its questions and answers, and stood naked and calm where the stars throbbed in my veins. I was the earth, was the grass, was the smoke, wes the sky. Suddenly 4 sentry called from far: ‘Atiention!” Attention! ‘And to that challenge the half-burnt torch and the half-built gate fell apart. No, young man, T don’t envy you your youth. Ali tik You have to face and sulfer esl "bas uf you, 53Tughtag Look at me. I have searched for that moment since then and here Tam still searching for it. But in the last four years, Ihave seen only the woods clinging, to the earth, heard only the how! of wild wolves and the answering bay of street dogs. Another twenty years and you'll be as old os me. T might be lying Under those woods there, Do you think you'll remember me then? No answer. Come, why are you silent? YUNG MAX (seared}= Your Majesty must forgive mey Your Majesty. But I don't understand what Your Majesty is saying. asniao (incensed): You don’t understand! You don’ understand! Why do you live? Why do you : corrupt the air with your diseased breath? (Suddenl: ° aim.) I'm sorry. Is my turn to apologize. (lt your uals. You Se tho once them Uncomfortable silence. BARAN! enters nanant: In the name of Allah, Your Majesty sent for me? MOHAMMAD toes the sentries ay. MuHAMMAD: I couldn't bear the walls any more. When L came here I fet I needed an audience—someone to confess my self-pity to. You were asleep? nanant: No, Your Majesty. I was reading a book by Taam Abu Hania. wudaxouap: Fortunate! You can read when you don’t feel sleepy. I can't sleep. I can't read, Even Rumi, who once used to transport me, has become simply a web of words. Do you know, five years ago [ actually used to pray to God! not to send me any sleep? T can't believe it now. Barant: Why don’t you see a hakim, Your Majesty? seaman; What can a hakim do? You are a historiar Barani, you are the man to preseribe remedies for this a4 Scene Eight Have you heard the latest news? Fakr-ud-din has risen against me in Bengal. sanant: Oh, I'm. aunawsab: Yes, And there's been another uprising in the Deccan, In Ma’bar Ehsanshah has declared himself independent. Bahal-ud-din Gashiasp is collecting am army against me. The drought in Doab is spreading from town to town—burning up the country. Only one industry flourishes in my Kingdom, only one—and that’s of making counterfeit copper coins. Every Hindu home has become a domestic mint; the waders are just waiting for me to lose my eyes; and in my whole kingdom there are aly two people T cam trust—Ain-ul-Mulk and Shihab-ud-din’s father. What should I do, Barani? ‘What would you prescribe for this honeyenmnb of diseases? I have tricd everything. But what cures one disease just worsens another. parant: 1 am a humble historian, Your Majesty; it’s not for me to prescribe. But since Your Majesty has dione me the henous of confiding in me, may 1 make a suggestion? It is 2 difficult thing to suggest to a king and 1 beg you to forgive me if it hurts, But you are a learned man, Your Majesty, you ate ‘known the world over for your knowledge of philosophy and poetry. History is not mnade only In statecraf; its lasting results are produced in the ranks of learned men. ‘That’s where you belong, Your Majesty, in the company of learned men® Not in the market of corpses, sunAMMaD: You want me to retire from my throne? {awe Barani, it you were eapable of irons, T would have thought you were laughing at me, But as usual you mean it, which makes it harder, 1 wish it was as easy as that. T have often thought of that myself—to give up this futile see-saw struggle and go to Mecca. Sit there by the Kaaba and search for the peace which Daulatabad hasn't given me. What bliss! But it isn’t that easy. Tt isn't as easy as leaving the patient in the wildernessTughlag no cure for his disease. Don't you see—this patient, racked by fever and crazed by the fear of the enveloping vultures, can't be separated from me? ‘Don’t you see that the only way I can abdicate is by Killing myself? T could have done something if the vultures weren't so close. I could have crawled forward on my knees and elbows. But what can you do when every moment you expect a beak to dig into you and tear a muscle out? What can you do? Barani, what vengeance is driving these shepes after me? panant: Your Majesty . - ‘etanmad: You know what my beloved subjects call me? ‘Mad Muhammad! Mad Muhammad! (Suddenly .) How can I become Wise again, Barani? anana: Your Majesty, there was a time when you believed in love, in peace, in God, What has happened to those ideals? You won't jet your sect pray. You oture hes or the sale offence. Hang them on suspicion. Why this bloodshed? Please stop it, and 1 promise Your Majesty something beiter will emerge out of it. aemasnaiap: But for that Pil have to admit I've been ‘wrong all these years. And I know I haven't. T have something (0 give, something to teach, which may open the eye of history, bucT have to doit within this life. T've got to make them listen to me before I lose even that! The oD MAN comes in running. 02 MAN: In the name of Allah—a calamity, Your Majesty—the Nayab Vizier has sent word— aeunanoiaD: What is i? ove MAN: Visier Muhammad Najib is dead. His body ‘was found in his bed. The Nayab Vizier says it ® murder. 56 SCENE NINE A hidesout in the hills. aziz and ARAM are stretched out on the oor. Aazam: It's so hot—1'm fed up, I'm fed up of life, I’m {ed up of the whole bloody world. ‘aziz: Why don’t you just go and commit suicide? ‘sazeat: Tried once. Went and jumped into a well. Bur the cold water cheeree! me up so much chat Thad a good swim and went back home. I don't think [could try again. A212: You'll never learn to do a thing properly. ‘aazauz But how come I steal properly? I have mn ‘made a mistake while stealing. Why am a thief, ‘Aziz? Why aren't we like other people? Have = nice home, till a farm and live happily? ; aziz: How many happy people have you met? Besides, ‘a man must commit a crime at least once in his life-time. Only then will his virtue be recognized! aazant: Aw, shut up! . aziz: No, truly. Listen, If you remain virtuous throughout your life no one will say a good thing about you because they won't need to, But start stealing—and they'll say: ‘What a nice boy he was: But he's ruined now..." ‘Then kill and chey will beat their breasts and ay: “Heavens! He wat only a petty thief all these days. Never hurt anyone. But alas!” ‘Then rape a woman and the chorus will go into hallelujahs: ‘He was a saint, a reai saint and look at him now... aazat: Well, you have robbed and killed. Now all you have to do to become a saint is rape. zie: Pretently, presently. No hurry. What's the joint in raping for sheer lust? ‘That’s a mug’s game. Fist one must have power~the authority to rape! ‘Then everything takes on meaning. 37Tughlag aazant (gigelet}: So you want power, do you? What do you want to be, @ Sultan? aziz! Langh away, stupid. You'll soon see. Tt all depends on whether Karim will bring the goods. sazant (viously): But, no, Aziz, why are you so dissatisfied ? We have such a nice establishment here. We take enough money from travellers and the other robbers are scared to death of you. There's no limit to what we can make here aziz: Tam bored stiff with all this running and hiding. ‘You rob a man, you run, and hide. It’s all so pointless, One should be able to rob.a man and. then stay there to punish hitn for getting robbed ‘Tha’s called ‘class'—that’s being 2 real king! ‘aazaw: May Allah shower His blessings on Your Majesty! ‘Ts there a post for your humble slave at the court? aziz: Ob, yes! You are stupid. So you'll make a good nobleman—an Amir. aszawt (in disgust): Eah! { don’t like that. I don’t think I could be anything but 2 common pickpocket. ‘What about a court thicf? sate bursts into laughter. aziz: That’s beautiful, Aazam! A court thief! Vd never thought of that. It opens up all sorts of possibilities... There's Karim now! anUM comes in with a man, bound and gagged. You are late. Are you sure this is the right man? arin: No need to worry. ‘22: Excellent, Here you are. (ives him a purse.) Til send for you if there's any more work, anise salaams and exis aazam: Who is this animal? ‘zz: Wait and see. Untie him first. Aazaw units the man. aziz stares at him and an expresssion of horror spreads on his fact. My God! 1 Xl hat ass Karim! He's brought the wrong, mant 58 Scene Rine aan: T told him so. told him who Twas. 1 told him clearly. The rascal wouldn't listen. ‘Tied me up. Me! Let the Sultan hear of this outrage. He'll whip you to death aa > 127 au } The Sultan ‘aziz: We beg your pardon, Sir. There's been a mistake. Karim was supposed co bring some one elve—a Turk merchant, But--may we know who you are? seas: You'll soon know, you scoundrels. T am Ghiyas-ud-din ‘Abbasid, ‘The descendant of Khalif Abbasid. 1 am the Guest of Honour of His Majesty Agzaw: Ya Allah! ‘212 and anza% prostrate themselves in front of him. curvassun-niv: You'll pay for this! T've come all the ‘way from Arabia and no! a soul dared touch me. ‘They trembled at the mention of my name. And now this outrage! You'll hear more about this— nase, Forgive ty Your Worship. Te was a mistake, ‘There’ been a slip somewhere. Tes just that you are alone—1 mean the Sultan's Guest of Honour— from the Holy Family of the Khalié— cmivas-up-bin: Mind your own business, slave. T'l ‘gon have an entotrage, 2s soon as the Sultan knows T've arrived. He is sending a special entourage from Daulatabad. aziz: Then perhaps Your Worship will allow us to make ‘amend for thk sacrilege by following you? We'll tbe your slaves till you reach Daulatabad. curvas-op-piv: Hm! You may redeem yourself that ‘way. Get up. No need to prostrate yourself so Tong. Yes, Ido need guides. It’s an unfamitiar country and the people here are treacherous. The moment they know you are a foreigner they're out torrab you Yer, you'l do till the entourage arrives, ‘But haven't you been here before, Your Worship? Haven't you seen the Sultan? atuevasup-ori: Thaven’t, But I shal soon. 3Tughleg Ta the mean time, axzast has spread a mat on which CHIVAS-UD-DIN sits impevially. AAZAM of rs him some fruits to eat. aziz: Forgive me if I am talking beyond my station, Your Worship. But 1 must warn you that the Sultan js ima suspicious frame of mind, we hear. There have been a lot of deaths since he came to Daulatabad ranvaramanns: Ves, Wve heard all that. Tm not worried: ‘Aziz: Recently he flogged a man to death, had his body filled with straw anc strung up in the market place— all because the man claimed to be a descendant of the Prophet ~ ‘omrvas-Up-pix: For a common thief you talk too much, What's your name? aziz: Aziz, Your Worship and this is Aazam. I realize T sound impertinent, Your Worship. We are happy to follow you to Daulatabad, be your slaves to make up for our sacrilege. But Your Worship will forgive us for being worried about our necks— -b-piN:, You don't need 0 worry. I have got ‘he Sultan’s letters with se—nnd the cing he sent asa mark of recognition. (Shoes the ring.) T know there are no precious stones in it. But that would have attracted too much attention The Sultan is a wise man, But Your Worship has no friends or acquaintances in Daulatabad? ourvas-up-piN (iritaed): You ask too many questions for a slave. No, no friends there. You just hold your tongue and follow me. ony, aziz laughs, ourvas-vo-pin looks at him, suddenly suspicious, azxe Bursts into loud laughter and jumps up, Caught him, Aazam! He fell into my trap like a ‘mouse. This is the goods, Aazam, this is it! Thad heard he was here —without a paisa on him but boasting of his good fortune— ourvas-ub-pIN: What do you mean? aziz: In five minutes, you won't need to know any ‘meanings. 60 Scene Nine saw (frightened): Don't kill him, Aziz, please don't! veg ont i " emvaton-pis (fighel): Rill me? Bot why? Wha'll rou gain by ling met I've novhing-—you know ThocET get nothing tll reach Davlatabad— T'ma poor man. Why kill me? nara HE brights Aziz, Shiateponcs Tes the truth, I swear, That's howe Teton here slime one couid get anything oucofime. What do you want from me? Look, © you corse witk mevo Daulatabad, Til ee you'll ge solething too azves Tam not going with you. Tam going in your pace pazaue Ain, stem ates Shut up! Don't waste your stupid breath! ‘We'll never get an opportunity thke this agais. Arabia That be fall the hall's descendants, They were fol ot the Kebali, Now the Sultan's picked tai rat up from the gutters for some game of his Gun Wh will wort) about this Tool when people Ste ying without food in Daulatabad? Get out now, Gk outs You'll just make things wore AAZAM goes out. ouryas-un-pin: Don't kill me, please. ll kiss your feet ‘Take everything—my ring, letters, everything. Til go back, Til go back 10 my village. T won't bother you. Please don’t kill me. I'll kiss your feet, Please let me go. (Fmbraces his legs.) an: No! omvas-up-pis: No? No! No! I knew it. T knew ‘something like this would happen. Tt was too gocd to be true—to grow up in filth, live in filth—and then a letier from nowhere. A hope—a ray of light, Now my fate will change, T thought, now Til be happy. Now things will start afresh. So Tsstarted, But I knew it was too good—good things don’t come like that—they don’t stay— 61Trehlag ‘He gives aziz. sudden push. aziz falls down on the Sok chineasupoin fin oat sate (heats witout getting wp): Stop him, Aazam. top him, Jumps up and rans out, Noise of a scuff Aziz (offstage): That's it, Aazam! Bravo! ourvas-up-piw (of-sage): Don't kill me, please A sertam. Then silence. axzas comes in running. He is covered with blood. He is sweating, trenbling and weeping, After @ while aziz comes in, with ontvas-up-pin’s furan on his head. ‘Aziz: Why are you crying, you clown? ‘aazas: Don't talk to me—God! God! Why did Tstop him? Why didn’t I let him go? ‘Aziz opens ouyas-ub-Din’'s bundle. ‘aziz: You are a funny creature, You have seen eno corps to last you seven iver You have sufi them with straw, practised obscenities on thems An i you anna ce, Fae a abe nts it on) How do I look, ch? The great grandson of the Khali ee sanzant looks evap. aziz slaps him on the bak. Laugh, you foo}, laugh, Celebrate! What are you crying for? Look, look atthe palace doors. They are opening for us. Dance, dane, you son ofan ass— Sings, Grandson of the Khalif! Great-grandson of the Khalf! Greatgreatgreat-grandson of the Khali Sings and dances in acre, lapping his hand anzas leaks at hin angry ‘Then sly his fee breaks nto aot and toon be lnghing. SCENE TEN The Palace, muwasosan is looking out of the window. The STER-NOTHER comes in. sseraorusn: Muhammad, do you know whats happening outside? munaumiaD: Yes. erzp-worier: Why are you doing it? MUHawwAb: What else can I do? T said the new copper ‘oins would have the same value as the silver dinars. Now I can’t go against my own orders step-arorien: But this is sheer folly! The Vizier says there are five hundred carts gut there and they are all full of counterfeit coins. Are you going to exchange them all for silver? mumasonan: There's nothing else for it, { should have ‘expected this but didn't—that was my fault. If 1 Gon’t withdraw the coins now, the whole economy will be in shambles. It’s in a bad enough state already. sep-worsEn: Five hundred carts on the first day! ‘And what about tomorrow and the day after? You are just legalizing robbery— uasiuane Hs al hei wealth can’ let my whim ruin them. step-moTueR: And how 3s a treasury full of counterfeit coins going to help them? Will that revive your economy? aunanaaD: Don't worry, Mother. ‘The coins aren’ going into the treasury. They'll all be heaped in the new rose garden, srep-MoTHER: What's wrong with you? You spent years planning that rose garden and now— mcnasman: Now I don’t need a rose garden, I bul it ‘because I wanted to make for myself an image of 63Tughlag Sadi’s poems, I wanted every rose in it to be a poem. wanted every thorn int to prick and quicken the senses. But I dort need these airy wappings now: 2 funeral has no need for a separate symbol svep-motuen: Then why don't you stop the funeral? Why this unending line of corpses? Muhammad, 1 have been hearing rumours lately. The Amin and Khars are apparently getting upset because you are hounding them about Najb- wcwauorap: Tam not hounding them. I merely want to find out who murdered Najib. srep-uoTiier: Ts it true five of them have fled? wumannan: Not five—four The fifth committed suicide. Amir Jalalsud-din siue-norier: Oh God! Muwasoap: He told his wife he knew who had killed Najib. One of hisservants overheard the ‘conversation. srep-wotien (alermed): Please, don’t go on like this. Please, Najib’s dead. Finshed. You can’t drive the nobles to rebellion for his sake? wenamman: Don’t you think it strange that an Amir like Jolaluddin should Kil himself fo save the murderer? é must be someone very special ster-woviirr: Tin glad Najib’s dead. He was leading you astray. It’s because you wouldn't trust anyone 3s much as him that the Kengdomn’s inthis state! ‘The Ulema are against you; the noblemen are against you; the people hate you. I's all his work. Pim glad he's dead. He should have died a long time ago. munauwan: Najib wasn't loyal to me; he was loyal to the throne. The day he turned against me 1 would have known T'd made mistake, srep-worer: Why not forget him? What good is it to the throne— woriaou: Umut know who Billed hin and why step-woriwR: Muhammad, how long are you going te torture yourself like this? N° 78 SO Cs Scene Ten Munasan: Not for long. The Amirs will return, If they don’t, Til be sorry for their families sepaorier: You frighten me, Muhammad, you really co. Please stop this, Muhammad—please—for iny sake. No reply. Won't you? I appeal to you, No reply. Allright. I killed him. Thad him murdered. MEHANDEAD (exploding): For God's sale, don’t joke ‘about it! And don’t try to be noble and save me from the stupid Amirs and Khans. ‘This isn't a small ching: scep-ormm: Iam perfectly serious. I had him poisoned. NOMAMMAD: Stop it! Why are you torturing me now? Don’t you see how you're burning out my guts with ‘your silly jokes? eree-wotime: Why shouldn’t 1 have killed him?*Tt was ‘easier than killing one’s father or brother. Tt was. better than killing Sheikh Imam-ud-din, siomaNian! T hlled them--yes-but [killed them for ‘an ideal. Don’t I know its results? Don't you think I've suffered from the curse? My mother won't speak to me—I can’t even look into a mirror for fear of sceing their faces in it. I had only three friend. in the world-—you, Najib and Baran ‘And now you want me to believe you killed N: ‘Why are you doing this to me? 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. It’s become a kitchen of death— all because of him, I couldn't bear it any longer. Munauman: But you don’: know that for the past few ‘months he had been advising me against violence, do you? He wanted me to hold back my sword for the stability of the throne. srar-mormer: Then why didn't you? 65Tughiag munanman: Because I couldn't, Not now. Remember Shihab-ud-din cf Sampanshahr? He was the first ‘man I killed with my own hands. And I had a glimmer then of what now I know only too well Not words but the sword—chat’s all I have to ke my faith in my mission, Why should Najib be sacrificed for that? srap-qotueR: You had your share of futile deaths. Thave mine now. MUHAMMAD (shouting): No, they were not futile. They gave me what I wanted—power, strength to shape my thoughts, strength to acc, strength to recognize myself, What did your little murder give you? Suddenly freezes. Stares at her. Then quietly, Woman, woman, so you are also one of them! So that’s what you too wanted! Mother is annoyed she can’t control me. And now you (oo are trying the sasne game, acer you? Get rid of Najib, $0 you step.vorneR: I want nothing for myself, You are my life, Muhamniad. You know that. If T had wanted power, I wouldn't have confessed. wunassap: You needn't have confessed. T would have found out on my own. Or else, the Amirs would have rebelled. And then, what power? Clever you. You thought 1 wouldn't punish you, didn’t you? Because I'love you more than I have loved anyone in my life, ‘That was the price of your love, wasn’t it? (Suddenly in agony.) Why did you have to do it? SreP-MOTHER (puts her hand on his shoulder): Listen to me~ MuHanMan: Don’t touch me! There’s only one punishment for treachery—death! Chops tice. serotonin: Don't be a fol, Muhammad. Pn telling you for your own sake. My death won't make veu liayey. Vou have enough ghosts to haunt your Den'tadd mine wu. 66 Scene Ten munasacap: ‘The others died unjustly. You deserve to die— Too soldiers enter. ‘You are worse than an adulteress. But I can’t think of a worse punishment for you. Take her to prison. The srep-motwen stands petrified. The soldiers are also bape. (Screaming. Take her away! ‘The soldiers hold her. She tries to break aceay. Tell the Nayab Vizier I want her stoned to death publicly tomorrow mornin; ig. srap-MoTHER (finding her wire): Not that, Muhammad, don’t do that to me—please. acmasesad: That’s how an adulteress dies. Take her away. svep-MoTHER: Muhammad, please— She is dragged aves. weuannan stands looking Stunned. ‘Then suddenly he falls ta his knees and celuches his hands ta his breast seywasotao: Goel, Ged in Heaven, please help me. Please don’ fet go of my hand. My skin drips seth blood and T con't iow how much of ii mine and how Inuch of others, I started in Your path, Lord, why am F wandering nated inthis descr nov? Tired in rch of You. Why am I become 3 ig rolling in this gory mud? Rae me. Clean me. Ubver me with Your Infinite Merey. I can only chatch a he Hem of Your cask my Needy finger and plead. 1 can only beg—have pity on me, Thave no one but You now. Only You, Only Yous. You. Yew.” You. Enter axa parant: In the name Stops. SOMANMAD raises his hee. aunasnan: Come in, Barani, You've come at the right ‘moment. You have saved me from treachery, you 67Tughlog know. Iwas tying to pray! Think of that—no one in my kingdom is allowed to pray and I was praying. ‘Against my own orders! But what else could T do, Barani? My legs couldn’: hold me up any longer. anant (smiles): You needn't worry, Your Majesty. Tim here because T insisted on bringing the joyful tidings myself avnasoiab: Joy? 10s such a long time since 1 heard that word, eanant: We have just received a letter from your ‘Governor. Ghiyas-ud-din Abbasid, the descendant of the Khalif's & arriving here—within the next month ‘or30, We can all pray now, Your Majesty munasatan: Whats the use? L was (rying to pray—but T could only find words learnt by rote which left no echo in the heart. 1 am teetering on the brink fof madness, Barani, but the madgess of God still cludes me. (Shouting.) And why should T deserve that madness? T have condemned my mother to death and I'm not even suze she was guilty of the ‘The ANNOUNCER. AwnouNcER: Attention! Attention! Muhammad ‘Tughlag who craves only for the mercy of Allah and for the blessings of the Khalifs, hereby announces that His Worship Ghiyase ud-din Muhammad, son of His Worship Abdul Kahir, grandson of His Worship Yusuf, great-grandson of His Worship Abdul Aziz, {great-great-grandson of His Imperial Holiness Abbasid Al-Mustansir, the Khalif of Baghdad, will bles and purify Daulatabad by arriving here tomorrow afternoon. And Muhammad is sure that the citizens ‘of this city will collect in large numbers to welcome this Saviour. This isa holy day for us—a day of oy! And its glory will be crowned by the fact that the Public Prayer, which has been ute in our land these five years, will be started again from next Friday. Hence- forth every Muslim will pray five times a day as enjoined by the Holy Koran and declare himself a Faithful Slave of the Lord. Attention! Attention! 69SCENE ELEVEN A plain outside the fort of Doulatabad. Crowds of citizens. mst aan: Prayer! Prayer! Who wan Seana an A them to give w some eed inst wan: There's no food. Food’s only i es prayers for us. nly in the palace, secon wat The Ari Raye food inst wan: We starve and they want uso pra want woasve ours, 7 "ane #19 PRY. They ‘taunp MAN: Is it true the Sultan has opened up his ? Seconn wan: There was not a grain in tt Nota skal ssf nas And the they want us to pray. ‘ump mac: ‘The other day my younger brother came re from our village. He says it's much worse there. We are better off ere, he says. They have to twenty grains of silver for a fitful of wheat. And the scenes he saw on his way here! Ugh! conn MA (ging ened! Hn, Timp aN: He says the roads are lined with skeletons ‘A man starved to death right in front of his eyes. 48 Doat, people are cating barks of the tens Be syn Ye and wve to make do with skins 00ND man: Shut up. ‘amo as: To Baran—that's where Barani, the Sultan's {iicnd, comes from you know—they have to eat Dura ‘strips of skin, he says. No one knows what stcorid wax: Why don’t you shut up? The crowd listens, tensely. TaIRD MAN: He says we are much better off here. Nc them. On his way here he saw people crowding. Scene Eleven sound a butcher's shop, You know why? ‘To catch the blood spurting from the slaughtered beasts and drink it! szcoND MAN: Shut up, you butcher— He attacks the TwuRD max. There's a fight. The SECOND MAN throws the ToD MAX doten, sits on his ‘hest and beats him, He is eyying cen as he beats. "The others watch, inst man: Why do they need prayer? ‘Music and the announcers are heard from the to sides of the stage axNouncen 1: Attention! Attention! The Slave of the ‘Lord, the Upholder of the Word of the Prophet, the Friend of the Khalif, the Faithful, Sultan Muharrmad ‘Vughlag— Attention! Attention! The Protector of the Faith, the Descendant of the Holy Khalif. al-Mustatsir, Amir-ul-Mominin Ghiyas-ud-din Muhammad ‘aziz, AAzAM and their entourage enter from one side. ‘Exactly at the same moment, MUMAMMAD and his entourage stip down from the fort. There is tense Silewe, MUMANMAD stares al aziz. as Uhough he is not (quite sure what is happening. The wixDv WOMAN of Scone Secon steps out of the crowd and stares at 421. ‘Her husband pulls her back, muntanemaD steps foracard ‘and embraces aziz. aunaunap: Welcome to our city, Your Holiness, welcome Xo gut poor land. My lavgsom reece a the ‘arrival of your gracious presence. We have waited for years foe ths foylul moment, Our streets have waited in silence for the moment when the call to the holy prayer will ring in them again. And each year hhas been a century. We have waited long, Your Holiness, and our sins have become shadows that entwine round our feet. They have become our aTughteg dumbness and deprived us of prayer. ‘They have ‘become the fiery sun and burnt up our crops. Now the moment fas come for me and my people io rejoice. Only you can save me now, Your Holiness, ‘only the dust of your fect on my head can save me nlow— Falls to his feet. The crowd gasps. Then everyone nee. azo: Amen, MUHAMMAD gels up. They embrace agin. They depart tothe accomponiment of the annsuncements. py wouax: It’s him! K's him— ramp wax: Who? wunpu wouaN: He killed my child! Those eyes—D'll never forget them—he killed my child’... (Screams.) He killed my child inst wan: What's it? secon man: I didn’t hear. Something about a child— Anorier: She says somcone killed her child — runst aan: Who killed the child? sscoyp man: I dda’ hear properly. Probably the Sultan— Faust MAN: Who else will kill her child? Tatu man: It's murder, that’s what itis. To ask us to live without food. My daughter diet without food. She was murdered. riast man: How long are we going to stave like this? (Keeps on scrsaming.) StCOND MAN: Just a fistful of rice—a piece of meat would be riast aN: We don’t want any prayer. We want food-— sevanat, voices: Yes food—we want foxl—not prayer— ‘AsoubmER: Quiet! Qu vrs Man (shouting): Kill us, kills us, Den't starve us to death. Kill us quickly. ”. seconn Man: They'll kill us, will they? Let's see who Kills whom? Bring them down, aut. Bring him down—let’s scc—so they'll give us 2 ene Eleven poison instead of food, will they—kill him—kill hia. Show him what we can do— ‘onfusion. Some of them mob the souvter and beat him. Si le antes en stots beating them, ring them to ep et. The rats bein aSCENE YWLLVE she Palace. x2e is eating some fruit, Asean ents, waste Mie {ie Shit pl Pee wold you not yea me by that sine, ver: Din fed up oft Aziz, I'm going. ee Going? Whee? eons wean: don't know. But I've bribed Two servants of the palace. ‘They are to bring wo horses. ‘They 1 be ere with de horses insite of hasan So hnarry up. ‘42: Kool, how you've probably male dew suspicinss Te told you a hundred times nothing ean bisppen to us here asking for the butcher's block. ssa: Have you seen the ety? ‘The people are like rmad dogs. They have been seveamn, houses, killing people for a whole week yout ever stepped out of the palace? zie: Of course not Azan Ihave, Twice. wico! Ts your skull filled How did you yo out? avast: There's a secret passage. 1 dieavered i the day ‘we came hore. Lhave been throngh it. Twice. And do you know what the city is like? In the northern part, the houses are like forts and the streets are like little fingers. And they are full of dead bodies. Corpses and flies. Te stank so much Palmest fainved—T can’t stand St any longer, Ariz. Voalay the people are a little quieter. “They are Ged; besides, they have to dispose of the bodies. ‘Tomorrear they'll Siast again... se! Now look. Why don't you think? Just once—~ Gonee in your fife tne? Hens lo yout hows the servants won't beway yoo Listen to mie, Stay in dung? ‘Twice! the palace, It's the safest place now. aazam: Safe? Ths palace? Ha! The Sultan's mad, Hour can you trust him? Don’t you know how he can slaughter people? How can you trust this lord of skins? Its beter to trust servants. Listen, You know there are thee heaps of counterfeit coins in the garden outside tay window? aziz: Thope thoy Faven't scared you. After all, quite 2 for of them are our hamiwork. " aazan: On the night we came here, Twas so nervous Touldn’t sleep. So fw: standing by the windaw, ooking at thowe bears. ‘They looked like giant ant-hills in the unoonings. Suddenty Tsaw a shadow moving among tess. I stared. [was man wandering atone in the garden, He went to a heap. stood there fog hali'an hour, still as a reek, Then hhe dug into the heaps with is fists raised. is fists and let the coins tickle ont, Tt was frightening. ‘And you know whe it was? Your Suktan, {edocs that every night—every single night—it’s like witcheraft— ate: So you are running away because the Sultan has insomnia? What about all chat you were hoping to get? And what happens to me if you go? How will Ghiyaseud-din Abbasid explain the disappearance of his disciple? asza: You come with me too, Aziz. T can’t go alone. T've tied all our presemts ina bundle, It’s a huge bundle. Will last us for ever. You area clever man, Aziz, Tknow Tam a fool. I can't survive without you... Its time. The horses will probably have come. Let’s go. Come on. azz: Torder you to stay, Aazam. Anzam: Lean't, Fean’t. Tl die of fright here. fait: All right then. Go." -1-t, yon traitor. Aazaw: What else can'I do? 1 wish you woukl come te Look, We'll forget all this wealth, these courts, EyTughlay this Iusury and live in peace. Please come . .. please, Aziz, Pl kiss your foet— Na reply Pm going, Aziz. . No reply. Gond-bye: Cue: 08 suzs Idiot! 6 SCENE THIRTEEN Another part of the Palace. MUHAMMAD and BARANT. seunwouan: May I know why, Barani? BARANI: It's as I said, Your Majesty, I have just received ‘a letier from Baran and it says my mother’s dead. Tcouldn't be by her side in the last moments of her life. T must be there at least for her funeral. aunamssad: What did she die of, do you know? parant: I don’t know, Your Majesty. The letter didn't say anything more. wunammad: T sec. (Pause-) And you will return to the ‘court after the funeral, won't you? ‘anant (frightened): I don’t know, Your Majesty. MUHAMMAD: If you are only going for the funeral, why shouldn’t you be able to come back? BARANt (desperaiely): I don’t know. MUHAMMAD: Don't you? Because I do. She died in the riots, didn’t she, when my soldiers butchered everyone in sight—old men, women, children, everyone? So you see, even I know what is happening in my kingdom. [ may be responsible for that massacre, Laceept. But have I really fallen so low that even you have to lie to me? ‘anata (almert eying): Tdon't know. T don’t know. Please don’t ask me. I beg of you. Silence. A soupten enters running. sovpme: In the name of Allah. A terrible thing— ‘Your Majesty, I don’t know how to— aeyuammaD: What is it now? sovore: Your Majesty, Aazain Jahan, the friend of His Holiness Ghiyas-ud-din Abbasid, is dead. parant: Dead? soLpmeR: Murdered, Your Majesty. T was on sentry duty at the mouth of the secret tunnel from the palace. nTughlag T heard a seroam. I ran to the spot. It asoe Azam, Jahan, He was lying ina pool of blood. anani: Heaven Irave tency on ust ottasiaps Was anyone ee there? Soin: Two homenen, Your Majesty. They had a big ‘bunalle with them. But before I could even shot, they were gone I didn’t even see their faces. mustautsinh: Did he say anything before le died? souoteR: No, Your Majesty. He wis alive tor awhile When T went near f thonght=T thought wenawsian: Yer? soLbien: I thought he wai laughing—giggting. But of ‘course it could be just—his dying breath There is 6 tong sence. wernasiinb stares atthe SOLDIER, sued and irda sitavatan: Not x word of this to anyone. Not even to. His Holiness Ghiyas-ud-alin Abbasid, No one i the palace must knows. You understand ? sora: Yes, Your Majesty sunasnian: Gu buck (0 your place, And ask the doorman, to feich His Holiness -at once. sumer: Yes, Your Majesty. Goes out seHaMan (almost fo hinslf): Don't you think i's ironic thata man who has just come from Arabia should prefer the blooly sirets to the patace? uarant: But T don’t understand, Your Majes ‘understand how sicauttab: You wanted (o see history formed in front of Your eyes, didn’t you? Just wait & few moments, and you'll see not just tte form but the coiled intestines of ona und 'Voue ss every right to laugh at a poor foot like me Bbw T anplore Your Majesty to understand Tam not wing because mye eve has een fe, Lave spent seven years here and the greatest historiars of the world would have gives half their lives to see 2 78 Tean't sty is a earned man and Scene Thirteen year in it. Your Majesty has given me a gift— MAD: Must there be a farewell speech before you go? ‘You want to g>. Go. ‘That's all there is to it, Silence. anant (suddenly remembering): But the public prayer! e's to start within haltan-hourt Te wouldn't be right to star it when the palace is in mourning. Your Majesty must vestaian; No, no, no! This the fist publi payer in my kingdom alter a silence of five years! We are Praying hecaune fy una like Ghints-din Abbasid has come to ont Lind ancl blessed us! We can't let anything stop that! (Faugks.) Oh Borani, Najib should have been here now. He would have loved this aziz enters with soldiers. naRast and WCUAMAD bow. The soldiers bow and retire. aziz (blessing them): May Heaven guide Your Majesty metaMMaD: T hope Your Holiness is well, aziz: Who would have grounds for complaint when the generosity of Your Majesty looks after him? sian: T hope Your Holiness has not been too inconvenienced by the riots. I was busy and comida’ attend to your needs personally. And. now that T see you, I stand a bearer of evil tidings. We Just received some tragic news. {Pause.) As ‘Jahan’s body was found outside the palace, He ‘was murdered, Aztr: May Allah save our souls. What's happening to this world? What's man coming to if even an innocent like Aazam Jahan isn't to bye spared she sword? Mettawa: Who are you? Silence, For a moment no ene speaks. x22 is obsieuly frightened. a Who are you? How long did you hope to go on fooling us avith your miscquericle? 79Tughtag Bapant: But your Majesty— woxamMap: Answer me. Don’t make me lose my temper. ‘aziz: 1_am a dhobi from Shiknar. My first name was ‘Aziz, There have been many others since then, sasant: But—what about His Holiness? MUMlAMMAD: Do you know the punishment for killing a saint like Ghiyas-ud-din Abbasid? And for deceiving me and my subjects? aziz (bolder): No, Your Majesty, though I have never underestimated Your Majesty's powers of imagination. But it would be a grave injustice if were punished, Your Majesty. nanant: Whats happening here? ~ Ariz: ‘Saint’ is a word meant for people like Sheikh Imam-ud-din. I doubt if your Majesty would have used it for Ghiyas-ud-din. I know I am a dhobi and he was a descendant of the Khalif. But surely Your Majesty has never associated greatness with pedigree. munamnan: Be careful, dhobi. Don’t overreach yourself, aziz: I daren’t. But since Your Majesty came to the throne, I have been your most devout servant. I have studied every order, followed every instruction, considered every measure of Your Majesty’s with the greatest attention, I insist I am Your Majesty's ‘rue disciple. -tunawoean: Don't try to flatter me. T am accustomed toit aziz: It's hardly flattering you, Your Majesty, to say Tam your disciple. But I have watched Your Majesty try to explain your ideas and acts to the people. And T have seen with regret how few have nderiond them BARA (who is just beginning to com 2 Your Majesty, this seounditl i teeing § sprend wnat otwonds MO around you. It’s dangerous even to talk to him. He must be punished at once. aziz: Come, sir, let’s be sensible. You know His Majesty will never do that to me. aunasorap: Won't I? 80 Scene Thirteen aziz: Forgive me. But Your Majesty has publicly ‘welcomed me as saint started the public prayers after a lapse of five years in my honour, called me a Saviour. Your Majesty has even—forgive me for nting it out, but I wasn’t responsible for it— Biilen at my fet, publily sarani: Villain— ‘aziz: But I am not a common blackmailer, Your Majesty. I stand here on the strength of my convietions and my loyalty 10 you. srortauaa: What do you want to say? | ‘aziz: I was a poor siarving dhobi, when Your Majesty cameto the throne and declared the brothehood of all religions. Does the Sultan remember the Brahmin who brought a case against him and won Twas that Brahmin, sonawman: Was the disguise necessary? ‘aziz: I think 0. (Pawse.) Soom after that Your ‘Majesty introduced the new copper currency. Tsuccumbed to its temptation. Barant: God... Goa. Aziz: ‘There was enough money in that business, but too much ‘competition. Soon it became unprofitable, so we took the silver dinars and went to Doab and bought some land there for farming. baRANI: But this is nonsense! There has been a famine there for five years. .- mowauman: That's exactly his point. They got the land dirt-cheap and collected the State subsidy for farmers. When they were discovered, they ran into the hills and became robbers. (With mock humility fo xz1z.) Am L right? aziz: Dare I contradict what the whole world knows ‘about His Majesty's wisdom? But Your Majesty Iissed out an important stage in my life. Your officers track down criminals with the zest of @ tribe of hunters and there was only one way (o escape them, We joined them as servaris. We had to 81Tughlag shift the corpses of all the rebels executed by tine Steie and hang them up for exhibition, Such famous kings, warriors and leaders of men pawsed through our hands then! Beautiful strong bodies and bodies eaten-up by corruption —all, all ‘were stuffed with straw andl went 10 the top ofthe Enne day, suddenly I ad a reyetation. ‘This was all Thuman life was worth, T said, ‘This was the real meaning of the mystery of death—siraw and ski With that enlightenment Tfound peace. We lef the camp anc headed for the hill. muwAanean: Yes, that was a rather important stage. aziz: One day T heard about a beggar who claimed to be Ghiyas-ud-din Abbasid and was on his way to the capital—I couldn’ resist the temptation of seeing ny master in person Pdmit I ill Ghiyasoud-din and cheated you Yet Tam Your Majesty's true disciple. Task you, Your Majesty, which ether man in India has spent five years of his life iting every act, deed and thought to Your Majesty’s words? Bakani: This man shoul be buried alive this minute? Azizi T only acted according 10 His Majesiy's edicts. sunamwad (exploding): Hold your tongue, fool! You dare pass judgement on me? You think your tongue is 30 light and swift that you can trap me by GEE Hapidchoening? Les ecw wel i wagy ‘when hanging from the tap of a pole. Thaven't Cared for the bravest and wisest men-—you think T would saccumb to you? A dhobi, masquerading asa saint? Anvt (quiet): What if Lam a dhobi, Your Majest When it comes to washing away fill no saint is a match for s dhol MUHAMMAD suddenly bursts into a gaffe. There is a light hysterical tinge to the laughter sottwnan (laughing): Checkmate! Checkmate! F don’c think I have ever seen such insolence. ‘This Scene Thirteen man’s a genius—all right, tll ane. What punishmant lout T give you for your evitnes? ata: Make me an officer of your State; Your Majesty. That would be punis ese years T have been a beggar wasting my aud Em not proud of that, 1 beg Your Majesty o give me a chance to show my loyalty. Pm ready to die for my Sultan. seuuaumtap: Tdon’t know why Tam acting like a fook Yet perhaps a State office really would be the best punishment for you, You'll have to return to Arabia afer «Anam Jabian’s funeral, and disappear on the way Gan you do it? vote: It certainly won't be the fist time I've done that ia: Good. Then go to the Decean, I'll give Tetier t Khusrau: Malik appointing you as an . He'll Wok alter you. «con T express my gratitude? me of the Prophet, L swear— genamstan; Dont c for the Remember, you are still His Holiness Ghiy Nblvisie and you have to be there to lead the prayer. Be ott now. aviz: Your Majesty's most faithful servant. Biosns an retires. SEUAMMMAD slowly mares the throne. Ie tooks tured, dispirited. There is silence far a ickile. BAwAS1 can’t contain hieself any longer, nawant: But why? Why? nuniawsinn: All your lile you wait for somicone who unxlerstands you, And then-- you nicet him— punishment for wanting 100 much! ... As he said, "One day: suddenty T had a revelation.® uynast: By all the history E know, I swear he'll stab you che back. ‘Uhis is sheer folly, He is a thief and rer and Your Majesty knows he won't kee} trust. Once he has power tn the Deccan, his nnbition will know no barriers. He is bound to fined janited scope for his villainy there. He is bound to,Tughleg rebel against the Sultan. How can you not see that, Your Majesty? auaasauan: T forgave Ain-ul-Mulk once, and you were ‘on my side then. Banant: But how can one mention Ait same breath as this rascal? aunastuan: Last week I received a letter from Ain-ul-Mulk. He has invited me and my subjects to his capital to stay there until the famine here subsides. ananr: He is a great man, a great friend of yours— Muanuan: A friend? How are you so sure it’s his friendship that invites us to his capital? You know that, since the day he killed Sheikh Imam-ud-din, he has lost his hold on people, His maulvis won't ‘support him, his people don’t trust him. He needs my support now. How do you know he isn’t inviting me to strengthen himself? aarant: Then... Your Majesty isn't accepting the invitation? uHamuap: There is only one place to go back to now. Delhi, Back to Delhi, Barani, I have to get back to Delhi with my people. ; parant: But why—why are you doing this to yourself and four people? Your subjects starve for you~siruggle For youdlie for you and you honour this murderer? ‘What's the fogic in it? It's criminals like hiza that deserve to die, Death would be too simple punishment for him, Tt wouldn't be enough if you Rogged the skin off his back. Tt wouldn't be exough if you had his tongue pulled out. Tt wouldn't even bbe enough if you had him put in a sack and tied to ¢ running horse- aynaaniap: Bravo! I doubt if even that dhobi could hhave thought of so many tortures— ‘Banat shudders as though he were slapped in the face. {f justice was a8 simple as you think or logic as beautiful as Thad hoped, life would have been so much clearer. Thave been chasing these words now for five years td now I don’t know if 1am pursuing a mirage or Ca sul-Mulk in the Scene Thirteen fleeing a shadow. Anyway what do all these subtle distinctions matter in the blinding madness of the. day? Sweep your logic away into a corner, Barani, all T need now is myselfand my madness—madness to prance in a field eaten bare by the scarecrow vielence. jut Iam not alone, Barani. Thank Heaven! For once Lam not alone. I have @ Companion ta sate my madness now—ihe Omnipotent God! (Tired.) When you pass your final judgement on me, dot manast: Who ain I to pass judgement on you. Your Majeay? have to judge mel now aid tha’ why T must go and go immediately. 1am terrific when T thin ofall she trues I recommended only @ moment ago. I ain a weak man, Your Majesty. don't have your strength to play with violence and yet not be sucked in by it. Your Majesty warned me when I slipped and I am grateful for that. Task Your Majesty's permission to go while I'm still safe. Waits for an auswer. There’s no answer. MUHAMMAD is sitting om the throne with his yes closed, Your Majesty— No answer. Your Majesty— Monaaaan (opening his ees): Yes? Banana: Is Your Majesty not fecing well? wunauman: Tam suddenly feeling tired. And sleep) For five year sleep has avoided me and row suddenly it’s coming back. Go, Rarani. But before you go— pray for us yous ores es agama bos and ents, bony in tears. ‘There is silence on the slage for @ chile, a thon a sana comes ine Seder a ele, and senvant: In the name of .. He ses that mutasoninn is asleep and goes out soraxan's head falls forward om his chest in de Mech. The sant ec tthe shel whi ke 85Tughiag carefully wraps round the Sultan. He is about to go out teh the seck22in’e call to prayer is heard. The SERVANT furns 0 wake the Sultan, then after @ pause «goes out without doing 30. weezz1s (offstag’): Alla-Ho-Akbar! AllacHo-Akbar! ‘Alla-Ho-Akbart Alla-Ho-Akbar! ‘Ashahiado La Elaha Iililah ‘Ashahado [a Elaha Dililah ‘Ashahado Anua Muhammadur Rasool Iiah ‘Ashahado Anna Muhammadur Rasool Wah, Haivah Alis Salaat—Haiyah Alis Salat Haiyah Salil Falaa—Haiyah Salil Fala Alla-Ho-Akbar! Alla-Ho-Akbar! La Llaka Tilia Ay the swezein’s call fades away, wenasiman suddeniy opens his ows. He looks around dazed and frightened, it Though hs con't comprehend where he is