Sea of Poppies: Character Mind Map & Summary
The key characters of Amitav Ghosh's Sea of Poppies (2008), grouped into branches, with the key episodes, a quick summary and the exam facts that come up again and again in UGC NET.
The Character Mind Map
Tap any name to open the details.
The Ibis
A former slave ship that sails from Calcutta to Mauritius in 1838 carrying indentured labourers and convicts. On board, people of different castes and nations become "jahaj-bhais" (ship-brothers).
Ending: escape at sea during a storm👑 The Migrants
On the IbisDeetiA widow
Role: Saved from sati by Kalua.
KaluaA low-caste ox-cart driver
Role: Deeti's saviour and husband.
Paulette LambertA French orphan
Role: Disguised as a coolie.
🏠 Sailors & Convicts
The shipZachary ReidAn American sailor
Role: Mixed-race second mate.
Neel Rattan HalderRaja of Raskhali
Role: Convicted of forgery by Burnham.
Ah FattA convict
Role: Opium addict; Neel's companion.
🤝 The Traders
OpiumBenjamin BurnhamAn opium merchant
Role: Owner of the Ibis.
Baboo Nob KissinHis agent
Role: A religious man.
Key Episodes
The turning points examiners love to ask about.
Quick Summary
The story, stage by stage.
Stage 1Poppies
- The opium fields of Bihar.
Stage 2Calcutta
- Trade and crime.
Stage 3The Ship
- Gathering.
Stage 4Voyage
- Brotherhood.
Must-Know Exam Facts
Quick points for UGC NET, SET and PGT.
Trilogy
First of the Ibis Trilogy: Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke (2011), Flood of Fire (2015).
Booker
Shortlisted for the Booker Prize (2008).
Theme
Opium trade, colonialism, indentured labour.
Language
Mix of Bhojpuri, lascar slang and English.
Additional Revision Notes
Extra character, historical and literary details for exam preparation.
The Ibis
The former slave ship Ibis gathers travellers from sharply different backgrounds at the time of the expanding opium trade.
Interwoven Characters
Figures such as Deeti, Kalua, Neel and Zachary bring together stories of caste, servitude, commerce and forced or chosen journeys.
Series and Language
The novel is the first volume of the Ibis trilogy, set in the years leading to the First Opium War. Ghosh's multilingual dialogue reflects the mobility and mixing of the Indian Ocean world.
Indian Literature
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All these character mind maps in one printed book.
