Kim's Great Game Insights by Rubab

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Kim by Rudyard Kipling is basically a colonial novel, but I felt that it is more than just that; it is a  layered exploration of Colonialism, Identity, and the British Empire's ambitions in Central Asia, set against the backdrop of the "Great Game." Published in 1901 with the setting of colonial India, explores the real-life Political and Military rivalry between the British Empire and the Russian Empire. Both wanted to get control over Central Asia. 

In this blog, I'll explore the portrayal of the Great Game in the novel vs what actually happened in history. In the novel, through its protagonist Kim O'Hara and his journey as a British spy, Kipling's Great Game feels like a thrilling adventure. The Great Game is portrayed as a personal adventure for Kim👮. Through its political implications, Kim's story remains focused on the thrill and mystery connected with Espionage age(the act of spying) rather than on the broader impact on nations and people. 

The Great Game was the high stakes power struggle real-world consequences, especially for Afghanistan  and it's surrounding regions.It was a political confrontation that existed for most of 19th century and beginning of 20th century between British empire and Russian empire, over Afghanistan, Tibetan kingdom, and it's neighboring territories in Central Asia and South Asia.

Between England and Russia began in 1830. Great Britain, concerned about noon growing Persian and Russian influences, invaded Afghanistan in 1838, which resulted Anglo-Afghan Wars, First Anglo-Afghan war from (1838 to 1842), second war from (1878-1889), and third Anglo-Afghan war began May 1919 and lasted for a month💣👮.

Historians consider the end of Great Game to be 1895 signing of the Pamir Boundary Commission protocols, when border between Afghanistan and Russian empire was defined.

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Kim by Rudyard Kipling made this term popular and introduced the new implications of great power rivalry. It became even more popular after 1979 advent of Soviet-Afghan war. This term "Great Game" was used well before 19th century, dates back to 1585 and is associated with meanings of risk, chance and depiction. 

Kim captures the spirit of adventure and the allure of espionage that surrounded the Great Game but falls short of reflecting it's harsh realities. I personally felt that being an English man, Rudyard hides the impacts of these incidents and rather he showed a picture of English boy as hero, divert the audience attention to spirituality and self-discovery. Kim,  who is multi talented, being son of English man and grew up in India, he uses his dual and ambiguous Identity as kind of his strength, and has ability to move freely between British and Indian worlds and has close relationship with Indian people. But in reality, British was deeply hierarchical, always tried to impose British norms and dismiss local Indian cultural. Learning of local language, because of out of necessity not as sign of respect. They were fiercely loyal to their empire. It was the local population, who had limited say in this geopolitical rivalry and suffered due to tug-of-war between these empires, and faced dislocation and economic hardship.

Today looking back on Kim, it remind us that stories can bring history to life, challenge us to look deeper so we can question the myths and the realities behind them.