Midnight's Children

Question 1

The narrator and protagonist, born at the exact moment of India’s independence; possesses telepathic abilities and a strong connection to India’s history.

Answer 1

Saleem Sinai

Question 2

Saleem’s rival, born at the same moment but switched at birth with him; a fierce warrior with powerful knees.

Answer 2

Shiva

Question 3

A fellow Midnight’s Child who can perform real magic; becomes Saleem’s lover and later Shiva’s wife.

Answer 3

Parvati-the-Witch

Question 4

Saleem’s companion and listener, who grounds his storytelling with skepticism and care.

Answer 4

Padma

Question 5

Saleem’s grandfather, a Kashmiri doctor who struggles between tradition and modernity.

Answer 5

Aadam Aziz

Question 6

Saleem’s grandmother, a strict matriarch who controls her family with silence and power.

Answer 6

Naseem Aziz (Reverend Mother)

Question 7

Saleem’s supposed father, a businessman who loses his wealth.

Answer 7

Ahmed Sinai

Question 8

Saleem’s mother, who originally loved another man but later marries Ahmed Sinai.

Answer 8

Amina Sinai (Mumtaz Aziz)

Question 9

The nurse who switches Saleem and Shiva at birth, forever altering their destinies.

Answer 9

Mary Pereira

Question 10

Mary’s lover and a revolutionary figure.

Answer 10

Joseph D’Costa

Question 11

Saleem’s uncle, a screenwriter who rejects commercial cinema.

Answer 11

Hanif Aziz

Question 12

Saleem’s aunt, who marries Major Zulfikar and aligns herself with political power.

Answer 12

Emerald Aziz

Question 13

Saleem’s other aunt, who harbors resentment toward Amina.

Answer 13

Alia Aziz

Question 14

The Prime Minister of India, portrayed as a manipulative leader responsible for the Emergency.

Answer 14

Indira Gandhi (The Widow)

Question 15

Emerald’s husband, a military figure involved in Pakistan’s politics.

Answer 15

General Zulfikar

Question 16

A secret agent who mentors Saleem during his amnesiac years.

Answer 16

The Hummingbird

Question 17

A girl with extreme beauty.

Answer 17

Sundari

Question 18

A poor musician, actually Shiva’s biological father.

Answer 18

Wee Willie Winkie

Question 19

Saleem’s sister, who becomes a famous singer in Pakistan.

Answer 19

Brass Monkey (Jamila Singer)

Question 20

injures his nose while praying

Answer 20

Aadam Aziz

Question 21

witnesses the Jallianwala Bagh massacre (British attack on peaceful protesters)

Answer 21

Aadam Aziz

Question 22

moves from Kashmir to Amritsar

Answer 22

Aadam Aziz

Question 23

1,001 children born in the first hour of independence, each with special abilities

Answer 23

Midnight’s Children

Question 24

has telepathic powers and the ability to connect all Midnight’s Children

Answer 24

Saleem Sinai

Question 25

loses his finger in an accident (his “prophet’s thumb” is cut off)

Answer 25

Saleem Sinai

Question 26

parents doubt he is their biological son, leading to blood test

Answer 26

Saleem Sinai

Question 27

becomes a foil to Saleem, focusing on physical power rather than intellect

Answer 27

Shiva

Question 28

moves to Pakistan (Karachi), where his uncle General Zulfikar is a military figure

Answer 28

Saleem Sinai

Question 29

family is killed during the Indo-Pakistani War

Answer 29

Saleem Sinai

Question 30

loses his memory and wanders into the Sundarbans jungle

Answer 30

Saleem Sinai

Question 31

becomes a tracker in Pakistan’s army

Answer 31

Saleem Sinai

Question 32

becomes involved with Saleem, but eventually marries Shiva instead

Answer 32

Parvati-the-Witch

Question 33

declares The Emergency, leading to mass sterilizations and crackdowns (including Midnight's Children)

Answer 33

Indira Gandhi (The Widow)

Question 34

crumbles into dust on his 31st birthday

Answer 34

Saleem Sinai