You could obtain a copy of the Penguin edition, edited by Edward Said.
The notes will tell you for instance that the Jats are a mostly Hindu race
of farmers living in the Punjab. They won't explain (because it's obvious
from the text) that the characters who have letters and numbers are members
of the secret service (cf. James Bond, 007), codenamed the Ethnographical
Survey. None of them are Jats.
If one of your students really asked the question you quote, s/he
is either reading carelessly or trying to catch you out. I know it's hard
teaching Eng. Lit. in the current climate, but you really ought to read the
novel! Lisa Lewis
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