Kim · Chapter
The Great Game Intensifies explained
Kim, now sixteen, is drawn deeper into the Great Game under the tutelage of Mahbub Ali and Lurgan Sahib.
What happens
Kim, now sixteen, is drawn deeper into the Great Game under the tutelage of Mahbub Ali and Lurgan Sahib. He maps the city of Bikanir, prepares a written report, and receives a revolver and fine clothes from Mahbub. After being assigned as an assistant chain-man in the Canal Department, Kim reunites with Mahbub in Lucknow, visits Huneefa's house, and undertakes various espionage tasks, including stealing a ledger from a Commissariat sergeant. He also studies with Lurgan Sahib, learning native drugs, charms, and Koranic recitation.
Themes in this chapter
The Great Game and Espionage
Kim's mapping of Bikanir, theft of the ledger, and training with Mahbub and Lurgan exemplify the covert operations of the Great Game.
Deception and Disguise
Kim adopts native disguises, uses a bead rosary for surveying, and operates as a spy under the guise of a horse-boy.
Education and Growth
Kim's formal education at St. Xavier's is supplemented by practical training in espionage, map-making, and native customs.
Characters to notice
- Kim
Maps Bikanir, receives a revolver and new clothes from Mahbub, is assigned to the Canal Department, and undertakes spy missions.
- Mahbub Ali
Guides Kim in the Great Game, gives him a revolver and clothes, and involves him in espionage tasks such as stealing a ledger.
- Lurgan Sahib
Trains Kim in native drugs, charms, and Koranic recitation; advises him alongside Mahbub.
- Colonel Creighton
Orders Kim to map Bikanir, sends him an examination paper, and arranges his position in the Canal Department.
- Huneefa
Hosts Kim and Mahbub in her filthy chamber; Mahbub warns Kim about the dangers of women in the Great Game.
- E.23
Mentioned as a former pupil of Lurgan Sahib; his rough notes from a Seistan survey are referenced.
Key passages
“It was not an amusing trip from Kim’s point of view, because—in defiance of the contract—the Colonel ordered him to make a map of that wild, walled city; and since Mohammedan horse-boys and pipe-tenders are not expected to drag Survey-chains round the capital of an independent Native State, Kim was forced to pace all his distances by means of a bead rosary.”
Kim found the journey tedious because, contrary to their agreement, Colonel Creighton made him map the city of Bikanir. Since a Muslim horse-boy couldn't openly use survey equipment, Kim had to measure distances using a prayer bead rosary.
Highlights Kim's covert surveying methods and the constraints of his disguise.
“He foresaw honour and credit in the mouths of a chosen few, coming to him from his pupil. Lurgan Sahib had made E.23 what E.23 was, out of a bewildered, impertinent, lying, little North-West Province man.”
Lurgan Sahib anticipated praise from a select group for his success in training Kim, just as he had transformed the confused and deceitful E.23 into a skilled operative.
Shows the pride masters take in training spies for the Great Game.
“Then where is the pistol that I may wear it? Softly! A half-year, to run without heel-ropes. I begged that much from Colonel Creighton Sahib. At twenty rupees a month. Old Red Hat knows that thou art coming.”
Kim asked for the revolver, but Mahbub told him to wait six months of freedom, which he had arranged with Colonel Creighton at a salary of twenty rupees per month, and that the lama was aware of his arrival.
Indicates Kim's impatience to begin his spy work and Mahbub's careful planning.