| “ | I was once an idealist, but no longer. | ” |
–Azad | ||
Azad is a character in 80 Days, met by Passepartout when he seeks out English speakers to converse with in Lahore.
Background[]
Azad is a scholar a wide berth of knowledge concerning language and culture. He speaks English, Punjabi and Urdu.
Role[]
Passepartout meets Azad while exploring Lahore. He explains that most Lahoris speak multiple languages, but most speak Punjabi. Despite this, the British decreed the official language to be Urdu, ignoring the cultural significance of the Punjabi language in the region. Azad leaves Passepartout considering the difficulty one faces in preserving culture in the face of rapid change.
Character[]
Azad is a highly intelligent man, well-versed in language and his study. He explains he no longer considers himself an idealist because of the rapid change that can erode a wealth of culture. But he cannot bring himself to call himself a cynic either, showing a flicker of belief in keeping the wealth of history and literature behind Punjabi language even in the face of the British Raj.
Trivia[]
- Azad would be considered Pakistani rather than Indian in the modern day.