Syed Ross Masood
Forster and Masood developed an intense friendship, and spent a fair amount of time together on Forster's first trip to India. It was through Masood that Forster was exposed to the depth of Indo-Islamic historical culture (on thinks of the many invocations of figures like Alamgir [Aurangzeb] in the novel). It was also through Masood's circle of friends that Forster likely was exposed to the deeply felt hostility to British rule prevalent amongst young Indians in the 1920s.
Biographers such as P.N. Furbank and others have suggested that Forster and Masood's relationship may have extended beyond friendship, and the published correspondence between Forster and Masood (see The Forster-Masood Letters [1984]) is replete with over-the-top statements of affection. However, the evidence they may have had a sexual relationship remains sketchy.
