Delhi

The city of Delhi is the main setting of the novel. It is a large city with a magnificent history of being raised from a warlike area to a cultural icon. By the start of the novel however, the city has fallen into decay again as recent violence between the British and the Indians has resulted in the removal of the Indian monarchy. The coronation of King George occurs here and the city experiences an influx of British people, especially the military. After the coronation, minor revolts occur continuously but are quickly quelled.

Bhopal

Bhopal is a city that is an undisclosed distance from Delhi. Begam Waheed lives in Bhopal with her deceased husband's family. Before the death of another of his sisters, Asghar also lived in Bhopal. When the marriage is arranged between Asghar and Bilqeece, Asghar follows Begam Waheed back to Bhopal to wait for a...