# Kautilya — Dark Princess character guide

> Kautilya in Dark Princess by W. E. B. Du Bois.

**Role:** major

**First appearance:** 0001-dark-princess

## Snapshot

A princess of the Lützower Ufer masquerading as a trade union leader, she calls Matthew 'Krishna' and speaks of his mother as Kali, Mother of the World.

## Who they are

Kautilya moves between silk robes, Beethoven, and the secret politics of a global darker world, her eyes holding both surrender and command. She sees in Matthew's Virginia mother a goddess and in Matthew himself a partner for a cause larger than America. Her whispered life story—'a Thousand Nights and a Night'—draws him toward a vision of colored peoples rising together.

## Relationships

### [Matthew Towns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/matthew_towns)

_romantic_

Kautilya and Matthew Towns share a passionate romantic relationship, with Kautilya often serving as a muse and intellectual partner.

### [Sammy Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sammy_scott)

_friendship_

Kautilya and Sammy Scott share a friendship, often cooperating in their shared endeavors.

### [Sara Andrews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sara_andrews)

_rivalry_

Kautilya and Sara Andrews are rivals, competing for influence and affection, particularly regarding Matthew Towns.

### [Matthew Towns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/matthew_towns)

_romantic_

Kautilya and Matthew Towns share a passionate romantic relationship, with Kautilya often serving as a muse and intellectual partner.

### [Matthew Towns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/matthew_towns)

_romantic_

Kautilya and Matthew Towns share a passionate romantic relationship, with Kautilya often serving as a muse and intellectual partner.

### [Sara Andrews](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sara_andrews)

_rivalry_

Kautilya and Sara Andrews are rivals, competing for influence and affection, particularly regarding Matthew Towns.

### [Sammy Scott](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/sammy_scott)

_friendship_

Kautilya and Sammy Scott share a friendship, often cooperating in their shared endeavors.

## In the story

### [Dark Princess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/dark-princess)

The Indian princess Matthew meets in Berlin, who becomes a pivotal figure in his life.

### [Part I: The Exile](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-i-the-exile)

Princess Kautilya of Bwodpur is a regal and thoughtful figure who hosts a dinner for a committee of darker peoples. She is impressed by Matthew's defense of her and his insights on the Negro race.

### [Part III: The Chicago Politician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iii-the-chicago-politician)

Not physically present but her handwriting on the labor pledge triggers Matthew's recognition and moral turmoil; her written arguments against his platform are read to him.

### [Part IV: The Maharajah of Bwodpur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/chapters/part-iv-the-maharajah-of-bwodpur)

Kautilya recounts her journey of sacrifice, including working as a servant and a violent incident with her employer. She decides to leave Matthew to answer the call of India and the black world, despite her love for him.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters/kautilya
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/dark_princess_se/characters