Towards the end of colonial India, Shahid Khan impersonates the legendary Sultana Daku in order to rob British trains. When Sultana discovers his actions, he exiles him from the village. As a result, Shahid becomes a henchman for coalmine owner Ramadhir Singh. Shahid has ambitions to takeover the coalmine, which angers Ramadhir. Shahid is consequently killed.
Shahid's son, Sardar, is deeply angered and seeks vengeance for the death of his father at the hands of Ramadhir. At the turn of the decade, Shahid's son, the philandering Sardar Khan vows to get his father's honour back, becoming the most feared man of Wasseypur.
Ramadhir becomes a powerful politician. Sardar becomes a fearless gang lord.