In British India, two former British soldiers, Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnehan, decide to leave behind their lives of petty crime and embark on a daring adventure to the remote region of Kafiristan. Their plan is to become kings of this isolated land, believing it to be uncharted and inhabited by primitive tribes. They make a pact to avoid alcohol and women until their mission is accomplished. After an arduous journey through treacherous terrain, they reach Kafiristan, where they successfully train the local tribes in modern warfare and quickly rise to power, exploiting the local belief that they are gods.

As their influence grows, they begin to build their own army and establish themselves as rulers, basking in the luxury and reverence afforded to them by the Kafiristanis. However, as they consolidate their rule, the complexity of their deception starts to weigh heavily on them. Their once-solid partnership begins to strain under the pressures of power and temptation. What initially seemed like a grand adventure turns into a test of their wits, loyalty, and humanity. Their ultimate fate hinges on the decisions they make as they navigate the volatile and unpredictable path of absolute power.