Mir Nahal

Mir Nihal is the protagonist of the novel. He is a devout Muslim and successful businessman who is well respected in the community. Mir Nihal believes in the old customs of Delhi society and is fervently against India becoming a part of the British Empire. He goes with his family to watch the coronation of King George, but he is so upset by the fact that many of comrades are giving in to the British so he goes home by himself.

Mir Nihal is adamantly against his son, Asghar, using English items, including the boots Asghar wears in the beginning of the novel. He is also adamantly against his son marrying Bilqeece, as she comes from a family who is not of the same social class. He has already picked out Asghar's future wife, the daughter of a prominent Delhi family. Mir Nihal is more concerned with...