Train to Pakistan

What motivated the actions of the four primary male characters in the novel? Did these motivations change over the course of the novel?

Describe the political and religious leaders of Mano Majra. How do their approaches to the conflict differ, and how are they similar?

Both Jugga and Hukum are in love with a young Muslim woman. Compare and contrast Nooran and Haseena’s roles in the novel and their impact on the men who loved them.

The trains passing through Mano Majra play a major role in the story, one that changes over the course of the book. What are some things that the trains represent over the course of the story?

The man atop the train is never clearly seen and never speaks a word as he sabotages the attack and pays the ultimate price. Based on your reading of the book, who do you think was the man atop the train and why?

The eventual outcomes of the stories of Jugga Singh, Iqbal, Meet Singh, and Hukum Chand are left ambiguous due to the novel’s abrupt ending. Pick one of the four characters and, assuming he survived, explain how you think his story would play out from here.

Jugga and Iqbal are frequently compared throughout the book, despite coming from different places and stations in life, with very different motivations. Explore three similarities between the two men.

The Sikh warlord knew that the most effective way to gain support for his attack was to recruit one person at a time. With each person he won over, more considered joining his group. Implied peer support can be a powerful recruitment tool. Identify and discuss a modern-day parallel to this, either one you’ve witnessed or one from the news.