Twilight in Delhi
The decaying civilization of the Muslims of India has been metaphorically described by the title “Twilight in Delhi”. The title of the novel is a metaphor for the tumultuous years of 1857 to 1919 in the sub-continent when the pinnacle of glory of the Muslims was coming to an end, just because of their own inefficiencies. The miserable conditions of the men in Delhi and their surroundings have rightly been described by the title.
Blanket
Ahmad Ali has used the simile of blanket for the night. He says, “Night envelops the city covering it like a blanket”. The night covered the deserted conditions of men in Delhi and their surroundings, just like a blanket which hides everything under it. People used to lie on the roads, half naked but their miserable states were concealed by the night.
Coma
The simile of coma has been used for the paralyzed condition of Mir Nehal. Although he was alive, but still it seemed like he was not in his senses, “he lay in the bed in the state of coma”. It depicts the end of his rule and his powerlessness while he was still breathing.
Owl
Mir Nihal was a man who used to control all the matters of the family. His words were considered as the final verdict but after his illness, he was lying on the bed just like an owl who counts his days at the mercy of fate and time. His grandeur got scattered and his status was reduced to nothing. He lost his maneuvering position and value.
