The protagonist, Nikhilesh, a wealthy western-educated landowner, a complete gentleman who is loved by all for his loving, caring and understanding nature. He cared less for himself and more for the people around him especially his wife Bimla and childhood friend Sandeep.
Nikhilesh was madly in love with his wife Bimla, and the unconditional love made him stand out among the other men of that era. When prostitution and alcoholism was dominant he chose to do the opposite. He challenged tradition by providing Bimla with schooling and convincing her to move out of the seclusion in which married women were kept, going against the wishes of his own family.
Sandeep, Nikhilesh's best-friend, now turned freedom-fighter, comes back to the village years later and convinces Bimla to join him in his rebellion against the British. She gets convinced and hence takes up his political cause.