Character guide

Dr. Aziz

major

Also known as Aziz, VI Aziz, Unluckily Aziz, Dear Dr. Aziz, XXXI Aziz, Doctor Aziz, Aziz⁠

A young Muslim Indian doctor, the central character whose friendship with Fielding and trial drives the plot.

Cyril Fielding

major

Also known as Mr. Fielding, VII This Mr. Fielding, Poor Mr. Fielding, good Fielding, Fielding, Cyril, old Cyril, Fielding⁠

An English schoolmaster who befriends Aziz and challenges colonial prejudices.

Adela Quested

major

Also known as Miss Quested, XV Miss Quested, Adela, Presently Adela, poor Adela, Madamsell Adela, Miss Quested

A young Englishwoman whose accusation against Aziz sparks the central crisis.

Mrs. Moore

major

Also known as Dear Mrs. Moore, this Mrs. Moore, poor old Mrs. Moore, Moore, Miss Moore, Mrs. ¬ÝMoore, Mrs. Moore⁠—she

An elderly Englishwoman who forms a spiritual bond with Aziz and India.

Ronny Heaslop

supporting

Also known as Ronny, Mr. Heaslop, Heaslop, nice little Heaslop, young Heaslop, Poor young Heaslop, Even Heaslop

The British magistrate of Chandrapore and Adela's fiancé, rigidly colonial.

Mahmoud Ali

supporting

Also known as Mr. Mahmoud Ali, Mahmoud, Pleader Mahmoud Ali

A Muslim lawyer and Aziz's friend, fiercely anti-British.

Hamidullah

supporting

Also known as Hamidullah Begum, Mr. Hamidullah, good old Hamidullah, XIX Hamidullah, Meanwhile Hamidullah

A Muslim gentleman and Aziz's uncle, a respected elder in the community.

Professor Godbole

supporting

Also known as Godbole, old Godbole, poor old Godbole, Professor Narayan Godbole, Dear old Godbole, funny old Godbole

A Hindu Brahman teacher, mystical and detached, who bridges cultures.

The Collector

supporting

Also known as the Collector, IV The Collector

The British district collector, a symbol of imperial authority.

Mr. McBryde

supporting

Also known as McBryde, XVIII Mr. McBryde

The British police superintendent who investigates Adela's accusation.

Nawab Bahadur

supporting

Also known as Nawab, the Nawab Bahadur, The Nawab Bahadur

A wealthy Muslim nobleman and local philanthropist.

Mohammed Latif

minor

Also known as old Mohammed Latif, Mr. Mohammed Latif, Latif

A poor, comic relative of Hamidullah, often treated as a servant.

Mr. Turton

minor

Also known as Turton, Mr. Turton

The British collector's assistant, a typical Anglo-Indian official.

Mrs. Turton

minor

Also known as Mrs. Turton

The collector's wife, snobbish and racist.

Miss Derek

minor

Also known as Derek, Excellent Miss Derek, Miss Derek⁠—she

An Englishwoman who works for a Maharani and drives the party to the caves.

Mr. Das

minor

Also known as Das

The Indian magistrate who presides over Aziz's trial.

Dr. Panna Lal

minor

Also known as Dr. Lal, Panna Lal, worthy Dr. Lal, Old Panna Lal, Doctor Panna Lal

A Hindu doctor who testifies against Aziz at the trial.

Lady Mellanby

minor

Also known as XXIII Lady Mellanby

The wife of the Lieutenant-Governor, who supports Adela after the trial.

Major Callendar

minor

Also known as dour Major Callendar, Callendar, The Major, Major, Old Callendar

The British civil surgeon, Aziz's superior, rude and dismissive.

Rafi

minor

A young Muslim student and friend of Aziz.

Nureddin

minor

Also known as poor Nureddin

The Nawab Bahadur's grandson, who falls ill.

Stella

minor

Mrs. Moore's daughter, who later marries Fielding.

Ralph Moore

minor

Also known as Ralph, Dear Ralph, ÄúRalph

Mrs. Moore's son, who visits India in the final section.

Antony

minor

A servant of the Heaslop household.

Mrs. Bhattacharya

minor

Also known as the Bhattacharya

A Hindu lady who invites Adela and Mrs. Moore to her home.

Amritrao

minor

Also known as Mr. Amritrao

A prominent Indian lawyer who defends Aziz at the trial.

Hassan

minor

Aziz's servant, loyal and helpful.

Mrs. Lesley

minor

Also known as Lesley

A British memsahib, part of the colonial social circle.

Mrs. Callendar

minor

Also known as Callendar

Major Callendar's wife, a typical Anglo-Indian woman.

Mr. Harris

minor

Also known as Harris, Harry

A British official who assists at the trial.

Ahmed Karim

minor

Also known as Ahmed, Karim

A young Muslim man, possibly a friend of Aziz.

Mr. Haq

minor

Also known as Haq

A Muslim lawyer who appears at the trial.

Colonel Maggs

minor

A British military officer, briefly mentioned.

Cousin Kate

minor

A relative of Adela's, mentioned in letters.

Young Mr. Sorley

minor

Also known as Mr. Sorley

A Christian missionary who debates inclusion with Godbole.

Mr. Quested

minor

Also known as Quested

Adela's father, mentioned but not appearing.

Mr. Ram Chand

minor

Also known as horrid Mr. Ram Chand, Ram Chand

A Hindu lawyer who testifies at the trial.

Mr. Syed Mohammed

minor

Also known as Syed Mohammed, Messrs. Syed Mohammed

A Muslim lawyer involved in the trial.

Mr. Zulfiqar

minor

Also known as plain Mr. Zulfiqar

A Muslim lawyer, briefly mentioned.

Mrs. Blakiston

minor

Also known as Blakiston

A British memsahib, part of the club circle.

Mrs. Bannister

minor

A British woman, briefly mentioned.

Sir Gilbert

minor

The Lieutenant-Governor of the province.

The Maharani

minor

Also known as Maharani

A local Indian queen, employer of Miss Derek.

Young Hugh Bannister

minor

Also known as little Hugh

A British child, briefly mentioned.

Mary

minor

A servant or minor character, briefly mentioned.

Mrs. Das

minor

The wife of Mr. Das, briefly mentioned.

Mr. Bhattacharya

minor

The husband of Mrs. Bhattacharya, briefly mentioned.

Nancy

minor

A British woman, briefly mentioned.

Mr. Lesley

minor

Also known as Lesley

The husband of Mrs. Lesley, briefly mentioned.