Story of a Muslim family in North India. Nazim, the younger son decides to leave for Pakistan, while Imam the elder son remains in the family home in the village. The book traces the lives of two brothers, one finding wealth and prestige in Karachi (Pakistan), the other facing gradual decline in the family home. As years pass, conflicts among different ethnic groups in Pakistan kill Nizam's son, while Imam's son finds success through education. After 40 years, Nizam comes back to meet his brother in India and wonders if his decision of going away was right ...