Twilight in Delhi Novel by Ahmed Ali

Twilight In Delhi is set around the early twentieth century before the British changed the landscape of the city. The main character in the novel is Mir Nihal, a man looking into the twilight of his life. Nihal constantly looks up to the golden days of Indo-Islamic heritage. He is saddened by the influence of the British upon Delhi. However, Nihal’s son Asghar has progressive aims but is constantly bellied down by his father. It is a clash between the generation within the family that has been portrayed in the book. Mir Nihal spends most of his time tending to his pigeons on the rooftop. Asghar wants to marry Bilqees since he loves her but Nihal is against the marriage. Asghar cites the incident of Nihal not letting him study at Aligarh. Nihal believes that Aligarh has fallen under the influence of the British Raj. Asghar manages to marry Bilqees with the help of his mother. Nihal too finally consents to the marriage. After their marriage, Asghar is disheartened by the traditional role his wife dons. The coronation of King George V in Delhi and the World War I also find a mention in this novel.