During the upheavals of Indian independence and partition, a young Hindu girl is romantically pursued by a Muslim, without regard for their religious differences. Surrounding violence catches up, and he turns against Hindus in general, and finally against his love and the values which prompted it.

"A folkloric carpet (Gabbeh), picturing a man and a woman riding away on horseback, is the prized possession of an elderly nomadic couple. When they ... wash it ..., a beautiful young woman ... emerges from the carpet to ... reveal the secret of the carpet. Once held hostage by the endless restraints of the family that fashioned the carpet, she reveals that the secret...lies within the mysterious black-clad rider on the white horse. Month after month,...