# Kim — Kim character guide > Kim in Kim by Rudyard Kipling. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Kimball O'Hara, Kim Rishti Ke, Kim of the Rishti, young O'Hara, Mister O'Hara **First appearance:** 0000-i ## Snapshot A streetwise Irish orphan raised in Lahore who can pass as native or sahib, he stumbles into the Great Game of espionage while searching for his own identity. ## Who they are Kim is a bazaar child who speaks Urdu better than English and belongs fully to neither the colonizers nor the colonized. When he attaches himself to a Tibetan lama as a chela, his talent for disguise and mimicry draws the attention of British intelligence agents who see a perfect operative. His central tension is between the freedom of the road and the discipline of the spy trade, between being 'Kim' and being 'Mister O'Hara.' His journey through India becomes both an espionage education and a quest to answer the question he asks himself: 'Who is Kim?' ## Relationships ### [Teshoo Lama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/teshoo_lama) _friendship_ Kim becomes the devoted chela (disciple) and traveling companion of the Teshoo Lama, sharing a deep spiritual and paternal bond. ### [Mahbub Ali](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/mahbub_ali) _professional_ Mahbub Ali is a horse trader and secret agent who recruits Kim into the British intelligence network, acting as a mentor and handler. ### [Lurgan Sahib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/lurgan_sahib) _professional_ Lurgan Sahib trains Kim in espionage, observation, and disguise at his jewelry shop, serving as a stern but effective instructor. ### [Father Victor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/father_victor) _social_ Father Victor is a Catholic priest who takes an interest in Kim's welfare and education, arranging for his schooling at St. Xavier's. ### [Colonel Creighton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/colonel_creighton) _professional_ Colonel Creighton is the head of British intelligence in India who oversees Kim's training and deployment as a spy. ### [Hurree Chunder Mookerjee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/hurree_chunder_mookerjee) _professional_ Hurree Chunder Mookerjee is a Bengali intelligence agent who collaborates with Kim on missions, often acting as a fellow operative. ### [The Frenchman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/the_frenchman) _rivalry_ The Frenchman is a foreign spy whom Kim must outwit and observe during the Great Game, representing a direct adversarial intelligence target. ### [The Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/the_bull) _psychological_ The Bull is a recurring symbol and memory for Kim, representing his father's regimental mascot and his own lost heritage. ### [The Old Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/the_old_lady) _friendship_ The Old Lady is a wealthy and kind-hearted woman who shelters Kim and the lama, treating Kim with maternal affection. ### [Teshoo Lama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/teshoo_lama) _friendship_ Kim becomes the devoted chela (disciple) and traveling companion of the Teshoo Lama, sharing a deep spiritual and paternal bond. ### [Lurgan Sahib](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/lurgan_sahib) _professional_ Lurgan Sahib trains Kim in espionage, observation, and disguise at his jewelry shop, serving as a stern but effective instructor. ### [Mahbub Ali](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/mahbub_ali) _professional_ Mahbub Ali is a horse trader and secret agent who recruits Kim into the British intelligence network, acting as a mentor and handler. ## In the story ### [Chapter I: The Wonder House and the Lama](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/i) Introduced as a poor white boy, 'Little Friend of all the World,' who sits on Zam-Zammah and guides the lama to the Museum. ### [Chapter II: The Prophecy of the Red Bull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/ii) Kim revels in his perceived favor with the stars, interprets the prophecy of the Red Bull, and cleverly secures a train ticket from a charitable woman. ### [Chapter III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/iii) Kim acts as the lama's disciple, prophesies war to the villagers, and shows his white heritage by standing up and confronting the farmer. ### [On the Grand Trunk Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/iv) Kim walks beside the lama, observing the road's diversity and engaging with the caravan's servants. He is thrilled by the journey and the old lady's company. ### [The Lama's Grief and Kim's Destiny](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/v) Kim is distressed by the lama's grief and tries to reassure him, while also plotting to escape and return to the Search. ### [Chapter VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/vi) Feels lonely and trapped among white men; writes to Mahbub Ali; hires a bazaar letter-writer. ### [The Gates of Learning](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/vii) Kim begins his education at St. Xavier's, adapting to school life while secretly planning to return to the road. He uses his knowledge of native customs to disguise himself and interacts with Colonel Creighton. ### [The Road to Simla](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/viii) Kim travels with Mahbub Ali, overhears a plot against him, and cleverly avoids danger. He reflects on his growth and his bond with the lama. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/ix) Immerses himself in training, excels at disguise, and silences a talking phonograph. ### [The Great Game Intensifies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/x) Maps Bikanir, receives a revolver and new clothes from Mahbub, is assigned to the Canal Department, and undertakes spy missions. ### [The Juggler's Art](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/xi) Disguised as a Saddhu, performs a healing on E.23; later reflects on his identity and loneliness. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/xii) Kim observes the lama and Hurree Babu's discussions, enjoys the hospitality of the old lady, and later learns that Hurree Babu is a fellow agent. ### [XIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/xiii) Takes possession of the spies' kilta, using his wits to prevent the hillmen from mishandling it. ### [The Woman of Shamlegh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/xiv) Kim manages the lama's collapse, accepts help from the Woman of Shamlegh, kisses her in a Western gesture, and reads Hurree Babu's message. ### [Chapter XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/chapters/xv) Recovering from physical and mental exhaustion; cared for by the Sahiba; hides Mahbub's pistol and letters. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters/kim - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/kim_se/characters