The novel takes place in South India and Ceylon in the mid-19th century, after the suppression of the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. The Indians, loyal to Prince Nana Sahib, and the Europeans who joined them continue to fight against the rule of the British. The heroes of the novel, hiding from persecution, struggle with constantly emerging dangers, bypass treacherously placed traps, and destroy the cunning machinations of their enemies. Circumstances force Serdar and his comrades to constantly change their places of stay, which allows the author, an excellent connoisseur of India, to paint colorful pictures of nature, give exciting episodes with Indian animals, guide the reader through the intricate passages of abandoned dungeons and palaces, and also introduce him to facts from the history of the Deccan , with folk customs and beliefs, with the dark activities of secret Indian societies.