Yes, queen victoria really did have a controversial and scandalous relationship with a servant named abdul abdul karim. Abdul karim was 24 when he arrived in england in 1887, engaged as an orderly for the queen during her. Shrabani basu has written the book victoria and abdul a fascinating and true account of queen victorias relationship with her muslim servant abdul karim, which has just been released as a film, directed by stephen frears. Queen victoria s first impression of karim was recorded in her diaries, where she deemed him tall with a fine serious countenance. Abdul karim was just a young man when he first met the british monarch, queen victoria and since that day, till the day, the queen died, their friendship stayed alfred tennyson shrabani basu, an indian author has penned an honest memoir about a forgotten man who mattered the most in the life of queen victoria in her book called, victoria. To mark the release of a new film about the episode, ellie cawthorne talks to shrabani basu, author of the book on which the movie is based. She and her family were on a vacation to the isle of wight, touring an exhibition at queen victoria s summer home, when she. Judi dench as victoria and ali fazal as abdul karim in stephen frearss. Now a major motion picture starring dame judi dench from director stephen frears. This article was first published in the octobernovember 2017 issue of bbc world.
In 1887, the year of victoria s golden jubilee, karim was one of two indians selected to become. Shrabani basus book about queen victoria and her indian servant abdul karim makes use of many records that have been left untouched even by indian. After their jubilee duties concluded, karim and buxshe. In 2006, basu committed herself to researching karims story. Queen victoria gave her indian servant sex position advice. When queen victoria visited the exhibition, tyler gave her a gift of two gold bracelets, again chosen with. Its a wellresearched account of the years abdul karim spent in the presence of queen victoria as her munshi or personal instructor. The full tragic truth about queen victoria daily mail online.
Victoria and abdul takes place in the final fifteen years of queen victorias reign. The lost diary of queen victorias final companion telegraph. The true story of victoria and abdul smithsonian magazine. It stars judi dench, ali fazal, michael gambon, eddie izzard, tim pigottsmith in.
Shrabani basu, author of the book victoria and abdul. Victoria and abdul interview with author shrabani basu. But a new film, victoria and abdul, based on the book by shrabani basu, shines a light on the relationship and reveals victoria shared advice on sexual positions with mr karim, who was just 24. Basus work resulted in a book victoria and abdul, published in 2010, and a movie.
Nearing the time of the queens golden jubilee in 1887, queen victoria sent for two attendants from india to help with the celebration and to help communicate with indian dignitaries. The book has made me relook at queen victoria during this late stage in her life. Author shrabani basu on the extraordinary friendship. And when writer shrabani basu was researching a book about curry she became curious about. Mr karim was just 24 when he arrived in england from agra to wait at table during queen victorias golden jubilee in 1887 four years after. Abdul karim ali fazal arrives from india to participate in queen victorias dame judi denchs golden jubilee. The tall, handsome abdul karim was just twentyfour years old w. Contrary to the powerful, mighty image of the empress of india, the book portrays the monarch as a lonely, melancholic figure who, at her twilight years, were. Victoria and abdul by shrabani basu is a part of my nonfiction november reading list. Victoria and abdul by shrabani basu is an astonishing story of the queen victoria and her unbudging love for an indian, abdul karim, who was sent to serve her for her golden jubilee.
Queen victorias unlikely bond with indian attendant made. The descendant of one of queen victorias closest friends is looking forward to the new film about their special relationship. The tall and handsome indian muslim didnt speak a word of english, nor the empress of india any urdu. The indian servant, painted beautifully, in red and gold, with a book in his hand, sparked basus interest and she started an investigation about karim. Her staff had one sent over, but of course it took six weeks to arrive and went off in the meantime. Queen victorias first impression of karim was recorded in her diaries, where she deemed him tall with a fine serious countenance. Hafiz abdul karim aka munshi seems to have given companionship and unwavouring loyalty despite being so hated.
Mohammed abdul karim cie cvo 1863 april 1909, known as the munshi, was an indian. At that time he was 24 and was sent to deliver the mohar, or the seal, prepared in india to celebrate queen victorias golden jubilee. The true story of the queen s closest confidant, told time magazine, queen victoria s staff did bring her a mango from india. The book reads like a novel thats substantiated by reports in the form of facts and excerpts from original documents. Karim was born the son of a hospital assistant near jhansi in british india. Pdf victoria abdul download full pdf book download. The hidden story of queen victorias friendship with her. Mohammed abdul karim cie cvo 1863 april 1909, known as the munshi, was an indian attendant of queen victoria. The film, which stars judi dench as the monarch and ali fazal as her confidant, is based on a book written by historian shrabani basu of the. The true story of queen victorias friendship with abdul karim the. Judi dench inhabits the role of queen victoria in stephen frearss latest revisionist offering.
The tall, handsome abdul karim was just twentyfour years old when he arrived in england from agra to wait tables during queen victorias golden jubilee. But part of queen victorias life has remained invisible, which is her relationship with her indian muslim servant abdul karim. The true story of the queens closest confidant, told time magazine, queen victorias staff did bring her a mango from india. His family was muslim and his father was a hospital assistant with the central india horse, a cavalry regiment of the british indian army. Historys most unlikely friendshipthis is the astonishing story of queen victoria and her dearestcompanion, the young indian munshi abdul karim. Queen victoria s companion abdul karim had been forgotten for more than 100 years when shrabani basu, an english journalist who had heard of him only in passing for an unrelated book project, spotted his portrait. The film is based on the book of same name by shrabani basu, about the reallife relationship between queen victoria of the united kingdom and her indian muslim servant abdul karim.
Abdul karim was a broodingly handsome 24yearold, dressed in yards of silk, when he arrived from india to serve at queen victorias table. She was so hardworking, principled on matters and equally isolated, even lonely. Karim told her it would be rotten but she really wanted to try one. Basus book on the unlikely friendship between the queen victoria and her indianmuslim servant abdul karim weaves a tale that goes beyond religion, social status, and nationality. The tall, handsome abdul karim was just twentyfour years old when he arrived in england from agra to wait at tables during queen victorias golden jubilee. Within a year, the young muslim was established as a powerful figure in court, becoming the. Historys most unlikely friendshipthis is the astonishing story of queen victoria and her dearest companion, the young indian munshi abdul karim. As victoria questions the constrictions of her longheld position, the two forge an unlikely and devoted alliance that her household and inner circle try to destroy. The true story of queen victorias indian servant abdul karim. In 2017, the release of a movie called victoria and abdoul shed light on another aspect of the queens life, which is the close relationship she has had with an indian young man named abdul karim in the last years of.
The true story of queen victorias friendship with abdul karim. What followed was a relationship of such intimacy and tenderness that the british establishment tried their hardest to destroy all evidence of it. He served her during the final fourteen years of her reign, gaining her maternal affection over that time. An assistant clerk at agra central jail, he suddenly found himself a personal attendant to the empress of india herself.
In the latter years of her reign, queen victoria developed a surprising and controversial friendship with abdul karim, an indian servant. The relationship between queen victoria and her handsome, young indian attendant abdul karim was deemed so controversial and scandalous by her family members that, upon the monarchs death in. The film victoria and abdul is a chronicle of the queens unlikely friendship with abdul karim, one of her confidants that people know very little about. The true story of queen victoria and abdul karim that. Abdul karim, known as the munshi, was queen victorias indian attendant 1887 1901 abdul karim was born in 1863 in lalitpur in british india now in the indian state of uttar pradesh. This book is included with kindle unlimited membership. The young clerk is surprised to find favor with the queen. Indian soldiers on the western front, 191418, 2016, etc. Basus book about queen victoria and her indian servant abdul karim makes use.
The true story of the queens closest confidant the book on which the movie is based, karim cooked victoria a fine. The story of the indian man who took the place of john brown in queen victorias life and heart. Soon to be a major motion picture starring dame judi dench from director stephen frears, releasing september 22, 2017. When the empress of india met her muslim teacher the new. There are many moments where i had to remind myself this was the late 1800s. An assistant clerk at agra central jail, he suddenly found himself a personal attendant to. Shrabani basu talks about the relationship between queen victoria and abdul karim. In a quirk of fate, londonbased journalistwriterhistorian shrabani basu chanced upon abdul karim, the man who introduced the dish to the queen, when she was researching for her book curry. The lost diary of queen victorias final companion abdul karims writings, hidden by his family until now, throw new light on a close and controversial relationship, says ben leach. She was the empress of india and he was a humble clerk from agra jail and yet they managed to find a common space and forged a friendship that lasted. Queen victoria learned urdu, she wanted her mango and she stood by abdul karim. Abdul karim was from agra and went to england in 1887.
628 705 192 814 1558 519 789 1020 1236 136 1382 1026 1270 1599 1198 589 193 259 805 662 94 376 1275 1549 723 1101 935 1313 1561 1332 30 642 682 786 974 116 349 1344 571 341 221 1065 53