Character sketch of Juggut Singh by Dream Educare Academy Sudip Sir 8777754230
Juggut Singh, also known as Jugga, is one of the central characters in “Train to Pakistan”.
He is a tall, strong man known in his village, Mano Majra, as a badmash or troublemaker.
People fear him because of his violent past and his connection with criminal activities. At the
beginning of the story, Jugga is seen as a typical village ruffian who often gets into fights and
trouble. He has been in and out of jail several times, and the police keep a constant eye on
him. His tough appearance and background make others doubt his character, but Jugga is
more complex than he seems.
Despite his rough exterior, Jugga has a soft and emotional side, especially when it comes to
Nooran, a young Muslim girl from the village. Jugga is in love with Nooran, and their secret
relationship shows his capacity for love and loyalty. His love for her is pure and deep, and it
gives him a reason to think beyond his selfish needs. He does not care about religious
differences or social judgment when it comes to Nooran. This relationship plays a major role
in changing Jugga’s character as the story progresses. Through his love, we begin to see a
more human, caring, and selfless side of him.
As tensions rise in the village due to the Partition of India and the arrival of ghost trains full of
dead bodies, the peaceful life of Mano Majra is disturbed. The villagers start seeing Muslims
and Sikhs as enemies, even though they have lived together peacefully for years. Jugga is
deeply affected when he learns that Nooran and her family have to leave the village for
Pakistan. He is torn between his love for Nooran and his loyalty to his village and
community. He starts to realize the madness of the violence and hatred around him. This
inner struggle marks the beginning of his transformation from a selfish criminal to a
courageous and thoughtful man.
The most powerful moment in Jugga’s character development comes at the end of the novel.
When he learns about a plan by local extremists to kill the Muslims on a train by cutting the
ropes of the bridge, Jugga decides to act. Knowing that Nooran is on that train, he risks his
life to stop the attack. In a brave and selfless act, he climbs the bridge and cuts the rope that
would have killed the passengers. He sacrifices his life to save others, including the woman
he loves. This final act shows his true character — a man who gives up his life not for fame
or honor, but for love and humanity. Jugga’s journey from a feared criminal to a silent hero
makes him one of the most memorable and meaningful characters in the novel.
Role of Hukum Chand in “Train to Pakistan”
Hukum Chand is an important character in Train to Pakistan by Khushwant Singh. He is the
magistrate and deputy commissioner of the district where Mano Majra is located. As a
government officer, he is responsible for maintaining law and order during the time of
Partition. He is shown as a man who has power and authority, but he is also deeply troubled
by the violence and confusion happening around him. Even though he is in a high position,
he often feels helpless because the situation is too big and complex for one person to
control. He tries to make the right decisions, but he is constantly worried about the
consequences and his own safety.
Hukum Chand is also a very human and emotional character. He feels guilty for the violence
taking place in the country and blames himself for not being able to stop it. At night, he
drinks and tries to forget his worries. He often thinks about his past and the mistakes he has
made. His relationship with a young girl named Haseena, who is brought to him for comfort,
shows his loneliness and emotional weakness. Through Hukum Chand, the author shows
that even powerful people are not free from fear, guilt, and emotional pain. He represents the
inner conflict of a man who wants to do good but is caught in a situation where good and bad
are hard to separate.
By the end of the novel, Hukum Chand plays a key role in trying to prevent more violence.
When he learns about the plan to attack the train carrying Muslims to Pakistan, he feels the
pressure of making a difficult decision. He secretly arranges for someone to stop the attack
without making it look like an official order. This shows that, although he is afraid and flawed,
he still tries to do the right thing in his own way. Hukum Chand’s role in the story highlights
the struggles of those in power during times of crisis. He is a symbol of a weak but well-
meaning authority figure, trying to hold things together in a world falling apart.
