Bapsi Sidhwa (Urdu: بیپسی سدھوا; 11 August 1938 – 25 December 2024) was a Pakistani[1] novelist who wrote in English and was resident in the United States.

[2][3][4] Sidhwa was born to Parsi Zoroastrian parents Peshotan and Tehmina Bhandara in Karachi, Bombay Presidency.

[5][7] Sidhwa grew up having to live through distressing events during Partition, producing experiences that would shape her writing in the future.

[1][4] Shortly after graduating, she got married at the age of 19 and moved to Bombay, a change in scenery which she recalls as an initial shock which became easier to handle once she was able to engage with a community of other Zoroastrians.

Her son remained in Mumbai with his father's family, and Sidhwa was unable to see him for many years due to heightened border restrictions.