Lakshmi Shastri
Lakshmi, the protagonist, is a middle-aged henna artist born and raised in the small town of Ajar, India. At the tender age of fifteen years, Lakshmi got married off to an abusive husband, Hari Shastri. Not long after, Lakshmi left her husband and moved to Jaipur, where she started her contraceptive and henna business. After years of cultivating relationships with the city's wealthy families, Lakshmi has made a name for herself. She is now considering buying her dream house.
Radha's arrival, Lakshmi's sister, presents a newfound challenge. Lakshmi has to balance her ambitions with her new family responsibilities. Despite her obstinate yearning to achieve her goals, Lakshmi criticizes her younger sister for following her dreams.
Throughout the text, Lakshmi struggles to balance the obligations of her new life and that of her past life. She hopes that her success will atone for past mistakes.
Samir Singh
Samir Singh is one of the financially elite members of Jaipur's economic circle. He is Ravi's father and husband to Parvati. Samir and Lakshmi first met in Ajra at one of the city's elite brothels. Samir learned of Lakshmi's herbal contraceptives and encouraged her to move to Jaipur, which was one of the best decisions she ever made. He also introduced her to Jaipur's most wealthy and prominent families. Samir and Lakshmi share a deep friendship that later turns romantic. Throughout the text, Lakshmi comes to learn that Samir is an unfaithful man who has no regard for women whatsoever. However, she cannot deny that Samir played a critical role in her current success.
Ravi Singh
Ravi is one of Jaipur's most prominent and youngest bachelors. Born and raised in a wealthy family, Ravi lives a luxurious life. His parents, Samir and Parvati, treat him to the city's most luxurious lifestyle. However, like his father, Ravi takes advantage of the women around him. Despite agreeing to a planned marriage with Sheela Sharma, Ravi impregnates two of his family's employees, including Radha. Nevertheless, due to his family's status quo and influence, Ravi never takes full responsibility for the pregnancies.
Parvati Singh
Parvati is Samir's wife and mother to Ravi. Like her husband, Parvati also has connections with Jaipur's affluent individuals. Parvati introduces Lakshmi to the city's wealthiest women and mistresses. Lakshmi, familiar with Samir's unfaithful endeavors, sympathizes with Parvati. As the novel progresses, Parvati grows suspicious of Lakshmi's relationship with her husband and Radha's to her son. Using her influence, Parvati destroys Lakshmi's reputation by spreading rumors that she is a thief. Lakshmi slowly loses her clientele, eventually leaving Jaipur.
Radha
Born just a few months after Lakshmi escapes from Ajar, Radha grows up in poverty. Upon learning of her sister's success in Jaipur, Radha moves in with Lakshmi. The two sisters are in constant battles of will. Like her sister, Radha is adamant about achieving financial independence and joining the elite social class. Throughout the novel, Radha explores her newly found access to the wealthy, not without making a few mistakes. Radha and Ravi's sexual relationship leads to an unwanted pregnancy. Lakshmi blames herself for her sister's mistake; she believes her failure to teach Radha about sexual relationships led to her current predicament. As they face the rising hurdles in their lives, Lakshmi and Radha develop mutual respect and a deep-rooted love for one another.
