Chapter 34

Aziz and Godbole leave the palace at the same time the next morning. Godbole tells Aziz that Fielding is staying at the European Guest House. Aziz, however, is in no mood to see Fielding again; in fact, he has no use of or concern for any British. He has come to Mau to be the Rajah's physician; he also runs a small hospital in which he has given up many of the ways of western medicine. He is happily settled with the local Hindus, although he is not one of them. Now Aziz feels like an Indian, at last. He writes poems on "oriental womanhood," lives with his children, and has sort of remarried.

Aziz is still being watched by the local British authorities, but they have much less power in Hindustan. When Aziz returns home, a note awaits him from Fielding. He explains he is staying at the Guest House with his wife and her brother and requests several items, such as eggs and mosquito netting. He wants to know if they can watch the night portion of the festival together. Aziz angrily tears up the letter and hopes to avoid seeing him. He no longer has any desire to be a help to any Englishman in India.

Godbole is fervently religious and mystical. He has gotten Aziz the post of the chief doctor for the Rajah. Godbole also tries to educate Aziz about the kingdom of Mau, which is a Hindu state where Hindus and Muslims exist with few reservations about their religious differences. Godbole likes the poems that Aziz has written about world unity, because they fit with his religious beliefs. Aziz, however, is still a cynic and a purist. He has totally given up any British sentiment and refuses to see Fielding, who has married and is staying at the European Guest House.

The picture of Mau is a total contrast to Chandrapore. Here the British have little power or influence, and men from diverse backgrounds can live in peace and harmony. A Muslim and a Hindu can work side by side in the royal palace.

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