ACT ONE

Akebare, high priest and chief of the Brahmans' tribe, leaves the temple with six Brahmans, after praying, together to their God to protect the hero, Idamore, who defeated the enemies. The Brahmans welcome the various tribes, while Akebare, in his thoughts, regrets Idamore's success in the army, because he fears that his authority will be diminished. Neala, Akebare's daughter devoted to the cult of the Sun, rushes through terrified. Calmed down by her father, the girl divulges a vision she had: while she was attending to a ceremony at the altar, the flame became feeble, the temple shook and a cobra entangled her to a Pariah. Pretending to be inspired, Akebare releases her daughter from her vows and decrees that his daughter is to marry a valiant warrior. He thinks of Idamore, hoping that in this way, he can dominate him. Neala knowing that Idamore has never obeyed Akebare fears that he will not accept to become her spouse. Neala left alone with her faithful Zaide; suddenly notices an old miserable man walking down the hill. He's Zarete, who is desperately looking for his lost son, Idamore. Learning from Neala that he is in the vicinity of the Brahma's temple, Zarete tries to escape because he's a Pariah, regarded by the Brahmans as a wicked inferior tribe and not allowed in their domain, where any Paria intruder is punished by death. The Brahman Empsaele comes to announce that the victorious Idamore is back; Zarete realises that it's his son, who left the family five years before, and rejoices that he will soon see his beloved son again. Nevertheless, Zarete is very offended by the sight of his son dressed up like an enemy. Moved to tears, Idamore confesses to his father that having left home and overcome by the curiosity of seeing the town, he had fought against the Portugese bravely, become a general of the Indian army and did not return home because he fell in love with Neala. Unfortunately, she's Akebare's daughter, the Pariahs' worst enemy. Zarete, as a consequence, orders his son to escape with him and Idamore promises to do so, but only after seeing Neala for the very last time.

ACT TWO

Idamore learns with joy front the Priest that he has been given Neala in marriage. In the following scene, Idamore meets again his beloved: Neala rejoices, and reassures him that she loves him not as the chief of the army but because of his virtues. Idamore, thinking that she might feel pity for the Pariahs, reveals to her that he belongs to this caste. At first Neala is filled with shame, but she later gives up to her feelings and accepts to run away with him soon after the nuptial ceremony.

Zarete is convinced that his son has betrayed him and curses him. Then, he sees and hears the Priests passing by chanting the nuptial hymn for Idamore and Neala. Blind with rage, he decides to reach the temple and to reveal to Akebare that he is a Pariah. Akebare brings Neala in and informs the Brahmans that his daughter's bridegroom belongs to the caste of the warriors: both of them kneel down and the rite begins. Empsaele breaks in announcing that a Pariah has been seen inside the temple. Everybody is astonished. Zarete is brought in. With pride and force he defends the caste of Pariahs and condemns the hate that there has always been against them. Neala, supposing that Idamore may know the man, looks at him, and Idamore whispers to her to save that poor old man. Neala throws herself at the feet of her horrified father. Idamore stops the guards, who are going to arrest his father, throws away his sword and announces that he is the old man's son, invoking pity on him as defender of their native country. Akebare, in answer, says that the Gods have damned the Pariahs: Idamore and Zarete are condemned to a horrible death; the fanatical priest even orders the execution of Neala for having loved a Paria. Led to their fate, the lovers pledge that their love will transcend death, while Akebare feels that he has finally eliminated the only challenge to his authority.