Midnight’s Children Characters

The son of Indira Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. Sanjay is responsible for spearheading the Widow’s sterilization campaign and destroying the Midnight’s Children Conference.

A young boy who drives a rickshaw in Agra. Rashid helps Nadir Khan hide in Aadam Aziz’s “thunderbox room” after the Hummingbird’s assassination.

A German anarchist and Aadam Aziz’s classmate in medical school, Oskar believes that India was “discovered” by his European ancestors. He is killed when he is struck by a car during a protest.

Oskar’s wife and another classmate of Aadam Aziz’s. Ilse comes to visit Aadam in Kashmir after Oskar is killed in a protest, and she subsequently commits suicide in the part of Dal Lake where European women are known to go to drown themselves.

The commanding officer of Zulfikar. Together, Dodson and Zulfikar investigate the assassination of the Hummingbird.

Aadam Aziz and Reverend Mother’s daughter, Amina Sinai’s sister, and the wife of Major Zulfikar.

Ahmed Sinai’s distant cousin. Zohar is not married and relies on Ahmed for financial support. She hopes that her children will grow up to marry Ahmed’s children, so that she may potentially be paid a dowry.

Ahmed Sinai’s business partner. Ahmed and Kemal, along with Mr. S. P. Butt, collectively own a warehouse in Agra that is burned down by the Ravana, a gang of rogue Hindus who profile and destroy businesses owned by Muslims.

Ahmed Sinai’s business partner. Ahmed and Mr. Butt, along with Mustapha Kemal, collectively own a warehouse in Agra that is burned down by the Ravana, a gang of rouge Hindus who profile and destroy Muslim-owned businesses in the area.

A Hindu palmist and Lafifa Das’s cousin. Ramram gives Amina Sinai a prophecy for her unborn child as a form of repayment for saving Lafifa from an angry mob of Muslims.

Saleem Sinai’s neighbor on Methwold’s Estate, the wife of Ismail Ibrahim, and Sonny Ibrahim’s mother.

A poor accordionist and the assumed father of Shiva, the antagonist of Midnight’s Children.

Wee Willie Winkie’s wife and Shiva’s mother. Vanita has an affair with William Methwold, resulting in her pregnancy with Shiva, and she dies shortly after giving birth.

Mary Pereira’s sister and Ahmed Sinai’s secretary. Alice runs off with Joseph D’Costa, the love of Mary’s life, prompting Mary to switch baby Saleem with baby Shiva.

A notorious Communist, wanted criminal, and the love of Mary Pereira’s life. Joseph is killed by an escaped poisonous snake, but he continues to haunt Mary for much of her life.

Saleem Sinai’s best friend and fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate. Sonny is the son of Ismail and Nussie Ibrahim.

A fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate, Nussie Ibrahim’s husband, and the father of Sonny. Ismail is a crooked lawyer who often attends to the legal troubles of the other residents of Methwold’s Estate. He suspended from practicing law after authorities discover his corruption.

A fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate, the wife of Commander Sabarmati, and Homi Catrack’s lover. Lila is shot by her husband (but survives after he discovers her affair with Homi.

Homi Catrack’s mentally ill daughter and a fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate.

Ahmed Sinai’s longtime servant. Ahmed fires Musa when he is caught stealing from Buckingham Villa. After contracting leprosy, Musa is confused for Joseph D’Costa’s ghost by a distraught and guilt-stricken Mary Pereira.

The elderly founder of Schaapsteker’s Institute, a facility where scientists study snakes and test anti-venom. Schaapsteker lives on the second floor of Buckingham Villa, and he injects Saleem with snake venom when he falls ill with typhoid, saving his life when modern medicine fails.

Saleem Sinai’s uncle, Aadam Aziz’s son, and Pia’s husband. Hanif is a washed-up movie producer who commits suicide after learning of his wife’s affair with Homi Catrack.

A famous actress, Saleem Sinai’s aunt, and Hanif’s wife. Pia has an affair with Homi Catrack, which prompts his murder and her husband’s suicide. Pia moves to Pakistan with her mother-in-law, Reverend Mother, where they are both killed in the Indo-Pakistani War.

Saleem Sinai’s friend and fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate. Eyeslice is blinded early in childhood when Shiva throws a rock at him. He is the brother of Hairoil and the son of Commander Sabarmati and his wife, Lila.

Saleem Sinai’s friend and fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate. He is the brother of Eyeslice and the son of Commander Sabarmati and his wife, Lila.

Saleem Sinai’s friend and fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate. Cyrus and his mother leave Methwold’s Estate after his father chokes on an orange and dies.

Saleem Sinai’s geography teacher.

Saleem Sinai’s classmate. He is afflicted by heart trouble and suddenly dies of a heart seizure after Saleem dreams of his death.

A fellow resident of Methwold’s Estate and the husband of Lila Sabarmati. Commander Sabarmati is sentenced to thirty years in prison after he murders Homi Catrack when he discovers that Homi is having an affair with his wife.

The son of Emerald and Major Zulfikar and Saleem Sinai’s cousin. Ultimately, Zafar murders his own father, slitting his throat in response to his abuse.

The Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan after Major Zulfikar kidnaps the President of Pakistan, officially overthrowing the government.

The president of Pakistan who is overthrown by General Ayub Khan and Major Zulfikar.

A retired major who helps Jamila Singer become famous. He tells the public that Jamila was in a terribly disfiguring accident, and she never appears in public without her veil.

The oldest prostitute in the world, who can alter her smell to mimic anybody in the world.

A prince and father to Mutasim.

The son of a price who falls in love with Jamila Singer and vows to see her face.

Mutasim’s sister and Zafar Zulfikar’s fiancé. She stubbornly refuses to enter puberty or menstruate so that she will not have to marry Zafar.

The leader of the Canine Unit for Tracking and Intelligence Activities in the Pakistani Army, where Saleem is a tracker.

One of the soldiers of the Canine Unit for Tracking and Intelligence Activities in the Pakistani Army. He is shot and killed by a sniper during the Indo-Pakistani War.

One of the soldiers of the Canine Unit for Tracking and Intelligence Activities in the Pakistani Army. He is shot and killed by a sniper during the Indo-Pakistani War.

One of the soldiers of the Canine Unit for Tracking and Intelligence Activities in the Pakistani Army. He is blown-up and killed by a grenade during the Indo-Pakistani War.

A snake charmer living in the magicians’ ghetto. He is known as “the Most Charming Man in the World.” His biggest competitor is Maharaja of Cooch Naheen.

Saleem’s uncle and Mumtaz’s brother. Mustapha allows Saleem to live with him and his family after the war, but he kicks him out after he discovers Saleem in bed with Parvati-the-witch.

Mustapha’s wife.

Indira Gandhi’s helper and the woman who sterilizes Saleem and the other children of midnight during the Emergency.

A washerwoman who serves as Aadam Sinai’s wet-nurse. Saleem believes that she is a succubus.

A Bombay snake charmer and Picture Singh’s greatest competition.