Who is Nikhil from The Home and the World and what is their importance?

Nikhil is one of the main characters in this novel, as well as one of the narrators. Educated and gentle, he is a loving husband to Bimala and loves to decorate her with European accessories. Though Nikhil and Bimala enjoy a peaceful marriage, Nikhil wants her to enter the outer world, believing their love is true only if they recognize one another in the outer world. He encourages her to become involved with the Swadeshi movement through Sandip, but as the relationship between his wife and his friend unfolds, he does nothing to stop it. Though Nikhil is distraught at losing Bimala, he grants her the freedom to choose her own life.