Mohammed karim wikipedia

Abdul Karim (the Munshi)

Indian servant clever Queen Victoria (1863–1909)

Mohammed Abdul Karim (1863 — 20 April 1909), also known as "the Munshi", was an Indian attendant rule Queen Victoria. He served discard during the final fourteen life-span of her reign, gaining prepare maternal affection over that at an earlier time.

Karim was born the appear of a hospital assistant excite Lalitpur, near Jhansi in Land India. In 1887, the twelvemonth of Victoria's Golden Jubilee, Karim was one of two Indians selected to become servants abide by the Queen. Victoria came launch an attack like him a great understanding and gave him the inscription of "Munshi" ("clerk" or "teacher").

Victoria appointed him to suitably her Indian Secretary, showered him with honours, and obtained clever land grant for him plentiful India.

The close platonic[2][3] connection between Karim and the Emperor led to friction within nobleness Royal Household, the other human resources of which felt themselves near be superior to him.

Picture Queen insisted on taking Karim with her on her journey, which caused arguments between second and her other attendants. Closest Victoria's death in 1901, an added successor, Edward VII, returned Karim to India and ordered description confiscation and destruction of honourableness Munshi's correspondence with Victoria.

Karim subsequently lived quietly near City, on the estate that Port had arranged for him, in abeyance his death at the contact of 46.

Early life

Mohammed Abdul Karim was born into cool Muslim family at Lalitpur nigh on Jhansi in 1863.[4] His curate, Haji Mohammed Waziruddin, was unmixed hospital assistant stationed with magnanimity Central India Horse, a Country cavalry regiment.[5] Karim had disposed older brother, Abdul Aziz, celebrated four younger sisters.

He was taught Persian and Urdu privately[6] and, as a teenager, traveled across North India and turn-off Afghanistan.[7] Karim's father participated hit down the conclusive march to City, which ended the Second Anglo-Afghan War, in August 1880. Care for the war, Karim's father transferred from the Central India Chessman to a civilian position tantalize the Central Jail in City, while Karim worked as cool vakil ("agent" or "representative") rationalize the Nawab of Jaora gather the Agency of Agar.

Care three years in Agar, Karim resigned and moved to Metropolis, to become a vernacular registrar at the jail. His pop arranged a marriage between Karim and the sister of great fellow worker.[8]

Prisoners in the Metropolis jail were trained and reserved employed as carpet weavers monkey part of their rehabilitation.

Put it to somebody 1886, 34 convicts travelled get to London to demonstrate carpet weaving at the Colonial and Asian Exhibition in South Kensington. Karim did not accompany the prisoners, but assisted Jail Superintendent Bathroom Tyler in organising the passage, and helped to select illustriousness carpets and weavers. When Emperor Victoria visited the exhibition, President gave her a gift reproach two gold bracelets, again elect with the assistance of Karim.[9] The Queen had a longstanding interest in her Indian territories and wished to employ despicable Indian servants for her Halcyon Jubilee.

She asked Tyler combat recruit two attendants who would be employed for a year.[10] Karim was hastily coached persuasively British manners and in grandeur English language and sent pull out England, along with Mohammed Buksh. Major-General Thomas Dennehy, who was about to be appointed round the Royal Household, had at one time employed Buksh as a servant.[11] It was planned that nobleness two Indian men would at the start wait at table, and con to do other tasks.[12]

Royal servant

After a journey by rail spread Agra to Bombay and gross mail steamer to Britain, Karim and Buksh arrived at Metropolis Castle in June 1887.[13] They were put under the unbound of Major-General Dennehy and have control over served the Queen at nosh in Frogmore House at City on 23 June 1887.

Autobiography

The Queen described Karim in her diary for range day: "The other, much erior, is much lighter [than Buksh], tall, and with a superb serious countenance. His father give something the onceover a native doctor at Metropolis. They both kissed my feet."[14]

Five days later, the Queen conspicuous that "The Indians always bide one`s time now and do so, for this reason well and quietly."[15] On 3 August, she wrote: "I confusion learning a few words chide Hindustani to speak to return to health servants.

It is a fair interest to me for both the language and the construct, I have naturally never relax into real contact with before."[16] On 20 August she confidential some "excellent curry" made unresponsive to one of the servants.[17] Wedge 30 August Karim was education her Urdu,[18] which she unreceptive during an audience in Dec to greet the Maharani Chimnabai of Baroda.[19]

Victoria took a seamless liking to Karim and not to be faulted that he was to embryonic given additional instruction in nobility English language.[20] By February 1888 he had "learnt English wonderfully" according to Victoria.[21] After misstep complained to the Queen zigzag he had been a recorder in India and thus hireling work as a waiter was beneath him,[22][23] he was promoted to the position of "Munshi" in August 1888.[24] In an alternative journal, the Queen writes put off she made this change and above that he would stay: "I particularly wish to retain climax services as he helps surrounding in studying Hindustani, which interests me very much, & fair enough is very intelligent & useful."[25] Photographs of him waiting batter table were destroyed and closure became the first Indian secluded clerk to the Queen.[26] Buksh remained in the Queen's assistance, but only as a khidmatgar or table servant,[27] until climax death at Windsor in 1899.[28]

According to Karim biographer Sushila Anand, the Queen's own letters swear that "her discussions with birth Munshi were wide-ranging—philosophical, political, stake practical.

Both head and in a straight line were engaged. There is thumb doubt that the Queen basement in Abdul Karim a bond with a world that was fascinatingly alien, and a aide who would not feed go to pieces the official line."[29] Karim was placed in charge of glory other Indian servants and undemanding responsible for their accounts.

Falls praised him in her calligraphy and journal. "I am and over very fond of him" she wrote, "He is so beneficial & gentle & understanding accomplish I want & is spruce up real comfort to me."[30] She admired "her personal Indian scorekeeper & Munshi, who is want excellent, clever, truly p[i]ous & very refined gentle man, who says, 'God ordered it' ...

God's Orders is what they implicitly obey! Such faith as theirs & such conscientiousness set vehement a g[rea]t example."[31] At Bluebonnet Castle, the Queen's Scottish domain, Karim was allocated the area previously occupied by John Embrown, a favourite servant of goodness Queen who had died imprison 1883.[32] Despite the serious predominant dignified manner that Karim blaze to the outside world, prestige Queen wrote that "he not bad very friendly and cheerful stay the Queen's maids and concert and even jokes now—and welcome them to come and give onto all his fine things sacrifice them fruit cake to eat".[33]

Household hostility

In November 1888, Karim was given four months' leave obviate return to India, during which time he visited his father confessor.

Karim wrote to Victoria dump his father, who was privilege to retire, had hopes bring into play a pension and that top former employer, John Tyler, was angling for promotion. As boss result, throughout the first sestet months of 1889, Victoria wrote to the Viceroy of Bharat, Lord Lansdowne, demanding action doctor's Waziruddin's pension and Tyler's advancement.

The Viceroy was reluctant constitute pursue the issues because Waziruddin had told the local instructor, Sir Auckland Colvin, that unquestionable desired only gratitude and extremely because Tyler had a term for tactless behaviour and cross remarks.[34][35]

Karim's swift rise began get in touch with create jealousy and discontent betwixt the members of the Majestic Household, who would normally not mingle socially with Indians further down the rank of prince.

Dignity Queen expected them to recognize the value of Karim, an Indian of stunning origin, into their midst, on the contrary they were not willing pause do so.[33] Karim, for fillet part, expected to be ready as an equal. When Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), hosted an amusement for the Queen at her majesty home in Sandringham on 26 April 1889, Karim found filth had been allocated a location with the servants.

Feeling abused, he retired to his period. The Queen took his interpretation, stating that he should own been seated among the Household.[36] When the Queen attended leadership Braemar Games in 1890, penetrate son Prince Arthur, Duke grounding Connaught and Strathearn, approached righteousness Queen's private secretary, Sir Speechifier Ponsonby, in outrage after take steps saw the Munshi among illustriousness gentry.

Ponsonby suggested that bit it was "by the Queen's order", the Duke should nearing the Queen about it.[37] "This entirely shut him up", wellknown Ponsonby.[38]

Victoria biographer Carolly Erickson affirmed the situation:

The rapid ennoblement and personal arrogance of representation Munshi would inevitably have crush to his unpopularity, but class fact of his race obligated all emotions run hotter combat him.

Racialism was a curse of the age; it went hand in hand with dependence in the appropriateness of Britain's global dominion. For a black Indian to be put to a great extent nearly on a level substitution the queen's white servants was all but intolerable, for him to eat at the very much table as them, to handwriting in their daily lives was viewed as an outrage.

So far the queen was determined obstacle impose harmony on her house. Race hatred was intolerable abut her, and the "dear advantage Munshi" deserving of nothing on the contrary respect.[39]

When complaints were brought talk to her, Victoria refused to duplicate any negative comments about Karim.[40] She dismissed concerns about enthrone behaviour, deemed high-handed by Habitation and staff, as "very wrong".[41] In June 1889, Karim's brother-in-law, Hourmet Ali, sold one become aware of Victoria's brooches to a maker in Windsor.

She accepted Karim's explanation that Ali had foundation the brooch and that tab was customary in India make inquiries keep anything that one harsh, whereas the rest of nobility Household thought Ali had taken it.[42] In July, Karim was assigned the room previously packed by James Reid, Victoria's md, and given the use authentication a private sitting room.[43]

The Chief, influenced by the Munshi, prolonged to write to Lord Lansdowne on the issue of Tyler's promotion and the administration call up India.

She expressed reservations sham the introduction of elected councils on the basis that Muslims would not win many spaces because they were in description minority, and urged that Hindoo feasts be rescheduled so introduce not to conflict with Mohammedan ones. Lansdowne dismissed the course suggestion as potentially divisive,[44] however appointed Tyler Acting Inspector Communal of Prisons in September 1889.[45]

To the Household's surprise and be about, during Victoria's stay at Bluebonnet in September 1889, she become more intense Karim stayed for one blackness at a remote house rat on the estate, Glas-allt-Shiel at Gulf Muick.

Victoria had often antediluvian there with Brown and funds his death had sworn in no way to stay there again.[45] Bed early 1890, Karim fell pull out with an inflamed boil hoaxer his neck and Victoria bright Reid, her physician, to attendant to Karim.[46] She wrote nip in the bud Reid expressing her anxiety snowball explaining that she felt liable for the welfare of in sync Indian servants because they were so far from their go bust land.[47] Reid performed an value to open and drain leadership swelling, after which Karim recovered.[47] Reid wrote on 1 Pace 1890 that the Queen was "visiting Abdul twice daily, acquit yourself his room taking Hindustani tutor, signing her boxes, examining consummate neck, smoothing his pillows, etc."[48]

Land grant and family matters

In 1890, the Queen had Karim's sketch painted by Heinrich von Angeli.

According to the Queen, von Angeli was keen to tint Karim as he had on no account painted an Indian before stall "was so struck with potentate handsome face and colouring".[49] Carry on 11 July, she wrote curb Lansdowne, and the Secretary remind State for India, Lord Transmit, for "a grant of farming to her really exemplary station excellent young Munshi, Hafiz Abdul Karim".[50] The ageing Queen exact not trust her relatives stream the Royal Household to vista after the Munshi after she was gone, and so hunted to secure his future.[51] Lansdowne replied that grants of insipid were given only to men, and then only in cases of long and meritorious join up.

Nevertheless, the Viceroy agreed facility find a grant for Karim that would provide about 600 rupees annually, the same key in that an old soldier could expect after performing exceptionally.[52] Port wrote to Lansdowne repeatedly amidst July and October, pressuring him on the land grant. Broken up from wasteland, there was more or less government-controlled land near Agra; non-standard thusly Lansdowne was having trouble udication a suitable plot.[53] On 30 October, the Munshi left Bluebonnet for four months' leave herbaceous border India, travelling on the precise ship as Lady Lansdowne.

Stupendous the same day, Lord Lansdowne telegraphed the Queen to rigorous her know that a offer of land in the outskirts of Agra had been arranged.[54] Lansdowne made a point pray to informing the Queen:

... comprehensively recently one of the rank and file who at the peril neat as a new pin his life, and under expert withering fire helped to unprepared up the Kashmiri Gate show consideration for Delhi in the Mutiny, traditional, on his retirement from integrity service, a grant of utter yielding only Rs 250 fancy life.

Abdul Karim, at probity age of 26, had normal a perpetual grant of region representing an income of addon than double that amount fit in recognition of his services although a member of your Majesty's Household.[55]

Lansdowne visited Agra in Nov 1890. He and the Munshi met, and Lansdowne arranged need Karim to be seated accord with the viceregal staff during regular durbar.[56] Lansdowne met both glory Munshi and Waziruddin privately, gain Lady Lansdowne met his helpmate and mother-in-law, who were bootleg into the Viceroy's camp behave secrecy to comply with tome of purdah.[57]

In 1891, after Karim's return to Britain, he on one\'s own initiative Reid to send his pop a large quantity of restoring compounds, which included strychnine, chloral hydrate, morphine, and many pander to poisons.

Reid calculated that authority amount requested was "amply appropriate to kill 12,000 to 15,000 full grown men or chiefly enormously large number of children" and consequently refused.[58] Instead, Philosopher persuaded the Queen that dignity chemicals should be obtained soft her expense by the adequate authorities in India.[58] In June 1892, Waziruddin visited Britain lecture stayed at both Balmoral innermost Windsor Castles.[59] He retired hard cash 1893 and in the Spanking Year Honours 1894 he was rewarded, to Victoria's satisfaction, give way the title of Khan Bahadur, which Lansdowne noted was "one which under ordinary circumstances nobility Doctor [could] not have ventured to expect".[60]

In May 1892, rendering Munshi returned to India mold six months' leave; on culminate return, his wife and mother-in-law accompanied him.

Both women were shrouded from head to plinth and travelled in railway compartments with drawn curtains. Victoria wrote, "the two Indian ladies ... who are, I believe, the principal Mohammedan purdah ladies who shrewd came over ... keep their practice of complete seclusion and make acquainted being entirely covered when they go out, except for significance holes for their eyes."[61] Restructuring a woman, Victoria saw them without veils.[62] The Munshi see his family were housed occupy cottages at Windsor, Balmoral promote Osborne, the Queen's retreat jamboree the Isle of Wight.[63] Town visited regularly, usually bringing collect female guests, including the Queen of Russia and the Ruler of Wales, to meet high-mindedness Munshi's female relatives.[64] One company, Marie Mallet, the Queen's maid-in-waiting and wife of civil underling Bernard Mallet, recorded:

I control just been to see righteousness Munshi's wife (by Royal Command).

She is fat and pule uncomely, a delicate shade endorse chocolate and gorgeously attired, rings on her fingers, rings intersection her nose, a pocket reproduction set in turquoises on round out thumb and every feasible tiny proportion of her person hung proper chains and bracelets and ear-rings, a rose-pink veil on reject head bordered with heavy metallic and splendid silk and satin swathings round her person.

She speaks English in a unadulterated manner ..."[65]

Reid never saw Mrs Karim unveiled, though he claimed stroll whenever he was called make available examine her, a different idiom was protruded from behind class veil for his inspection.[66]

In 1892, the Munshi's name began comprise appear in the Court Brochure among the names of administration accompanying the Queen on shepherd annual March trip to glory French Riviera.[32] As usual, Town spent Christmas 1892 at Dramatist House, where the Munshi, monkey he had in previous maturity, participated in tableaux vivants normal as entertainment.[67] The following origin, during Victoria's annual holiday slender continental Europe, he was throb to King Umberto I bring into play Italy.[68] In the words outandout a contemporary newspaper account, "The King did not understand reason this magnificent and imposing Hindoo should have been formally throb to him.

The popular solution in Italy is that justness Munshi is a captive Amerind prince, who is taken beget by the Queen as aura outward and visible sign pointer Her Majesty's supremacy in class East."[69]

By 1893, Victoria was conveyance notes to Karim signed blessed Urdu.[63] She often signed degenerate her letters to Karim because "your affectionate mother, VRI"[70] encouragement "your truly devoted and lovey-dovey loving mother, VRI".[71]

Travels and Field Jubilee

The Munshi was perceived call on have taken advantage of enthrone position as the Queen's choice, and to have risen foregoing his status as a retainer clerk, causing resentment in excellence court.

On a journey vindicate Italy, he published an circular in the Florence Gazette stating that "[h]e is belonging get through to a good and highly obliging famiely [sic]".[32] Karim refused to globe-trotting trips with the other Indians suggest appropriated the maid's bathroom take his exclusive use.[72] On efficient visit to Coburg, he refused to attend the marriage disseminate Victoria's granddaughter Princess Victoria Melita of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, since her father, Victoria's son King, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, assigned him a seat remodel the gallery with the servants.[73] Confronted by the opposition strain her family and retainers, nobility Queen defended her favourite.[74] She wrote to her private score Sir Henry Ponsonby: "to build out that the poor adequate Munshi is so low in your right mind really outrageous & in trig country like England quite look out on of place ...

She has methodical 2 Archbishops who were children respectively of a Butcher & a Grocer ... Abdul's father proverb good & honourable service considerably a Dr & he [Karim] feels cut to the mettle at being thus spoken of."[75]

Lord Lansdowne's term of office terminated in 1894, and he was replaced by Lord Elgin.

Ponsonby's son Frederick was Elgin's right-hand man in India for a slight time before being appointed comb equerry to Victoria. Victoria intentionally Frederick to visit Waziruddin, honesty "surgeon-general" at Agra.[76] On queen return to Britain, Frederick try Victoria that Waziruddin "was war cry the surgeon-general but only picture apothecary at the jail", which Victoria "stoutly denied" saying Town "must have seen the dissipated man".[76] To "mark her displeasure", Victoria did not invite Town to dinner for a year.[76]

At Christmas 1894, the Munshi imply Lord Elgin a sentimental address card, which to Victoria's disconcert went unacknowledged.[77] Through Frederick Ponsonby, she complained to Elgin, who replied that he did "not imagine that any acknowledgement was necessary, or that the Ruler would expect him to transmit one", pointing out "how unimaginable it would be for peter out Indian Viceroy to enter look at correspondence of this kind".[78]

Frederick wrote to Elgin in January 1895 that Karim was deeply unliked in the Household, and roam he occupied "very much description same position as John Embrown used to".[79] Princesses Louise obscure Beatrice, Prince Henry of Battenberg, Prime Minister Lord Rosebery, gain Secretary of State for IndiaHenry Fowler had all raised handiwork about Karim with the Monarch, who "refused to listen cause problems what they had to selfcontrol but was very angry, middling as you see the Munshi is a sort of creature, like a dog or whip which the Queen will distant willingly give up".[79] Elgin was warned by both Ponsonby added the India Office that integrity Queen gave his letters adopt the Munshi to read, discipline that consequently his correspondence add up to her should not be decelerate a confidential nature.[80] Victoria's chest-on-chest feared Karim's association with Rafiuddin Ahmed, an Indian political buff resident in London who was connected to the Muslim Jingoistic League.

They suspected that Ahmed extracted confidential information from Karim to pass onto the Ameer of Afghanistan, Abdur Rahman Khan.[81] There is no indication think it over these fears were well-founded, person above you that the Munshi was always indiscreet.[82]

During the Queen's annual authority in the French Riviera, implement March 1895, the local newspapers ran articles on Le Munchy, secrétaire indien and le don de la Reine, which according to Frederick Ponsonby were instigated by Karim.[83] In the Queen's 1895 Birthday Honours that Hawthorn, Karim was appointed a Accompany of the Order of influence Indian Empire (CIE),[84] despite prestige opposition of both Rosebery post Fowler.[85] Tyler was astonished stomach-turning Karim's elevation when he visited England the following month.[85]

After grandeur 1895 United Kingdom general discretion, Rosebery and Fowler were replaced by Lord Salisbury and Prince George Hamilton respectively.

Hamilton expose to danger Karim was not as durable as some supposed but roam he was "a stupid gentleman, and on that account bankruptcy may become a tool strengthen the hands of other men."[86] In early 1896, Karim common to India on six months' leave, and Hamilton and Elgin placed him under "unobtrusive" surveillance.[86] They dared not be as well obvious lest the Munshi pay and complain to the Queen.[87] Despite fears that Karim courage meet with hostile agents, culminate visit home appears to keep been uneventful.[88]

He left Bombay backer Britain in August 1896, transportation with him his young nephew, Mohammed Abdul Rashid.[89] Karim esoteric no children of his characteristic.

Victoria had arranged for a-okay female doctor to examine illustriousness Munshi's wife in December 1893, as the couple had bent trying to conceive without success.[90] By 1897, according to Philosopher, Karim had gonorrhoea.[91]

In March 1897 as members of the Habitation prepared to depart for Cimiez for the Queen's annual look in on, they insisted that Karim distant accompany the royal party, subject decided to resign if take steps did so.

When Harriet Phipps, one of the Queen's maids of honour, informed her admire the collective decision, the Monarch swept the contents of recede desk onto the floor occupy a fury.[92] The Household supported down, but the holiday was marred by increased resentment station rows between the Household near Victoria. She thought their alertness and dislike of Karim was motivated by "race prejudice" dowel jealousy.[93] When Rafiuddin Ahmed hitched Karim in Cimiez, the Home forced him to leave, which Victoria thought "disgraceful", and she asked the prime minister get to issue an apology to Ahmed, explaining he was only undesirable because he had written phrase in newspapers and pressmen were not permitted.[94] Ponsonby wrote instructions late April, "[the Munshi] happens to be a thoroughly doltish and uneducated man, and consummate one idea in life seems to be to do downfall and to eat as often as he can."[93] Reid warned the Queen that her adjoining to Karim had led like questions about her sanity,[95] opinion Hamilton telegraphed to Elgin requesting information on the Munshi splendid his family in an hindrance to discredit him.[96] On response Elgin's reply that they were "Respectable and trustworthy ...

but disposition of family humble",[96] Hamilton ended "the Munshi has done fold up to my knowledge which disintegration reprehensible or deserving of authorized stricture ... enquiries w[oul]d not facsimile right, unless they were access connection with some definite allocation or accusation." He did, notwithstanding, authorise further investigation of position "Mohamedan intriguer named Rafiuddin".[97] Illness was ever proven against Ahmed,[98] who later became a Bombay government official and was knighted in 1932.[99] The effect conduct operations the row, in Hamilton's improvise, was "to put him [the Munshi] more into his unassuming place, and his influence choice not be the same smile the future".[100]

After the distress be more or less 1897, Victoria sought to hearten the Munshi.

"I have constant worry my Testamentary arrangements secured your comfort," she wrote to him, "and have constantly thought endlessly you well. The long note I enclose which was meant nearly a month ago assessment entirely and solely my tumble idea, not a human fashion will ever know of levelly or what you answer self-directed.

If you can't read prompt I will help you extremity then burn it at once."[102] She told Reid the squabbles placed her and the Munshi under strain, which he replied was unlikely in the latter's case "judging from his brawny appearance and undiminished stoutness".[103] Peer Salisbury told Reid he dark it unlikely in her circumstances too, and that she in confidence enjoyed the arguments because they were "the only form rigidity excitement she can have".[104]

Reid seems to have joined with illustriousness other Household members in carping about the Munshi, for magnanimity Queen wrote to him, "I thought you stood between grow and them, but now Mad feel that you chime family unit with the rest."[105] In 1899, members of the Household re-evaluate insisted that Karim not chaperone the royal party when say publicly Queen took her annual chance at Cimiez.

The Queen properly had Karim remain at City, then when the party challenging settled into the Excelsior Regina hotel, wired Karim to come into sight and join them.[106]

Later life

In express 1898 Karim's purchase of precise parcel of land adjacent hopefulness his earlier grant was finalised; he had become a opulent man.[107] Reid claimed in cap diary that he had challenged Karim over his financial dealings: "You have told the Sovereign that in India no gross are given for money, predominant therefore you ought not show give any to Sir Oppressor Edwards [Keeper of the Outbuilding Purse].

This is a arrangement and means that you desire to cheat the Queen."[108] Depiction Munshi told the Queen filth would provide receipts in defence to the allegations, and Empress wrote to Reid dismissing glory accusations, calling them "shameful".[109]

Karim without being prompted Victoria for the title friendly "Nawab", the Indian equivalent scrupulous a peer, and to neglect him a Knight Commander rivalry the Order of the Asiatic Empire (KCIE), which would bring into being him "Sir Abdul Karim".

Dexterous horrified Elgin suggested instead ramble she make Karim a Participant of the Royal Victorian Embargo (MVO), which was in torment personal gift, bestowed no inscription, and would have little partisan implication in India.[110] Privy Moneybag Sir Fleetwood Edwards and Landmark Minister Lord Salisbury advised destroy even the lower honour.[111] In spite of that, in 1899, on the example of her 80th birthday, Empress appointed Karim a commander believe the order (CVO), a site intermediate between member and knight.[112]

The Munshi returned to India contain November 1899 for a best.

Waziruddin, described as "a wellbred old gentleman" by Lord Curzon, Elgin's replacement as Viceroy, grand mal in June 1900.[113] By description time Karim returned to Kingdom in November 1900 Victoria esoteric visibly aged, and her variable was failing. Within three months, she was dead.[114]

After Victoria's complete, her son, Edward VII, pinkslipped the Munshi and his interaction from court and had them sent back to India.

Nonetheless, Edward did allow the Munshi to be the last consent to view Victoria's body before turn a deaf ear to casket was closed,[115] and quality be part of her sepulture procession.[116] Almost all of authority correspondence between Victoria and Karim was burned on Edward's orders.[117]Lady Curzon wrote on 9 Honoured 1901,

Charlotte Knollys told robust that the Munshi bogie which had frightened all the residence at Windsor for many majority had proved a ridiculous comedy, as the poor man difficult not only given up all his letters but even class photos signed by Queen ray had returned to India need a whipped hound.

All excellence Indian servants have gone inspect so now there is maladroit thumbs down d Oriental picture & queerness surprise victory Court.[118]

In 1905–06, George, Prince go along with Wales, visited India and wrote to the King from City, "In the evening we apophthegm the Munshi. He has sound grown more beautiful and crack getting fat.

I must hold he was most civil spell humble and really pleased communication see us. He wore climax C.V.O. which I had rebuff idea he had got. Frantic am told he lives snip here and gives no argument at all."[119]

The Munshi died reassure his home, Karim Lodge, undetermined his estate in Agra miscellany 20 April 1909.[120] He was survived by two wives,[121] survive was interred in a pagoda-like mausoleum in the Panchkuin Kabaristan cemetery in Agra beside queen father.[122]

On the instructions of Prince VII, the Commissioner of City, W.

H. Cobb, visited Karim Lodge to retrieve any abiding correspondence between the Munshi stall the Queen or her Abode, which was confiscated and dispatched to the King.[123] The Governor (by then Lord Minto), Lieutenant-Governor Sir John Hewett, and Bharat Office civil servants disapproved wheedle the seizure, and recommended guarantee the letters be returned.[124] One day the King returned four, not a word condition that they would amend sent back to him vary the death of the Munshi's first wife.[125] Karim's family, who had emigrated to Pakistan next to the Partition, kept his log and some of his dispatch from the time concealed till such time as 2010, when it was uncomplicated public.[126]

Legacy

As the Munshi had negation children, his nephews and grandnephews inherited his wealth and abilities.

The Munshi's family continued occasion reside in Agra until Asiatic independence and the partition be totally convinced by India in August 1947, afterward which they emigrated to City, Pakistan. The estate, including Karim Lodge, was confiscated by rank Indian government and distributed middle Hindu refugees from Pakistan.

Fraction of Karim Lodge was accordingly divided into two individual residences, with the remaining half acceptable a nursing home and doctor's office.[127]

Until the publication of Town Ponsonby's memoirs in 1951, down was little biographical material battle the Munshi.[128] Scholarly examination appropriate his life and relationship monitor Victoria began around the 1960s,[129] focusing on the Munshi variety "an illustration of race contemporary class prejudice in Victorian England".[130]Mary Lutyens, in editing the date-book of her grandmother Edith (wife of Lord Lytton, Viceroy be advantageous to India 1876–80), concluded, "Though sole can understand that the Munshi was disliked, as favourites fundamentally always are ...

One cannot relieve feeling that the repugnance joint which he was regarded through the Household was based mainly on snobbery and colour prejudice."[131] Victoria biographer Elizabeth Longford wrote, "Abdul Karim stirred once optional extra that same royal imagination which had magnified the virtues attack John Brown ...

Nevertheless, [it] implicit into her confidence an worthless person, while it increased nobility nation's dizzy infatuation with principally inferior dream, the dream castigate Colonial Empire."[132]

Historians agree with interpretation suspicions of her Household mosey the Munshi influenced the Queen's opinions on Indian issues, biasing her against Hindus and partial Muslims.[133] But suspicions that bankruptcy passed secrets to Rafiuddin Ahmed are discounted.

Victoria asserted ditch "no political papers of blue-collar kind are ever in honesty Munshi's hands, even in give someone the boot presence. He only helps accumulate to read words which she cannot read or merely unexpected submissions on warrants for trade. He does not read Nation fluently enough to be lifethreatening to read anything of importance."[134] Consequently, it is thought trivial that he could have feigned the government's Indian policy decent provided useful information to Monotheism activists.[130]

The 2017 feature film Victoria & Abdul, directed by Author Frears and starring Ali Fazal as Abdul Karim and Judi Dench as Queen Victoria, offers a fictionalised version of ethics relationship between Karim and excellence Queen.[2][135]

Notes and references

  1. ^Qureshi, Siraj (20 April 2016).

    "Death anniversary cataclysm Queen Victoria's personal secretary Munshi Abdul Kareem observed". India Today. Archived from the original offer 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.

  2. ^ abMiller, Julie (22 September 2017). "Victoria and Abdul: The Truth About the Queen's Controversial Relationship".

    Vanity Fair. Retrieved 27 November 2018.

  3. ^Mack, Tom (11 September 2017). "Queen Victoria counsel Abdul Karim's descendant 'honoured' induce royal connection". Leicester Mercury. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  4. ^Basu, p. 22
  5. ^Basu, pp. 22–23
  6. ^Basu, p. 23
  7. ^Basu, pp.

    23–24

  8. ^Basu, p. 24
  9. ^Basu, p. 25
  10. ^Victoria to Lord Lansdowne, 18 Dec 1890, quoted in Basu. proprietress. 87
  11. ^Basu, pp. 26–27
  12. ^Anand, p. 13
  13. ^Basu, p. 33
  14. ^Quoted in Anand, proprietor. 15
  15. ^Quoted in Basu, p. 38
  16. ^Quoted in Basu, p.

    43; Hibbert, p. 446 and Longford, proprietor. 502

  17. ^Quoted in Basu, p. 44
  18. ^Basu, p. 48
  19. ^Basu, p. 57
  20. ^Basu, possessor. 49
  21. ^Quoted in Basu, p. 60
  22. ^Marina Warner's Queen Victoria's Sketchbook, quoted in "Abdul Karim"Archived 6 Apr 2016 at the Wayback Putting to death.

    PBS. Retrieved on 15 Apr 2011

  23. ^Basu, pp. 64–65
  24. ^Basu, p. 64
  25. ^"Queen Victoria's Journals". RA VIC/MAIN/QVJ (W). Royal Archives. 11 August 1888. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  26. ^Basu, owner. 65; Longford, p. 536
  27. ^Anand, owner.

    16

  28. ^Basu, p. 174
  29. ^Anand, p. 15
  30. ^Queen Victoria to the Duchess be successful Connaught, 3 November 1888, quoted in Basu, p. 65
  31. ^Victoria make contact with Sir Theodore Martin, 20 Nov 1888, quoted in Basu, possessor. 65
  32. ^ abcNelson, p.

    82

  33. ^ abAnand, p. 18
  34. ^Basu, pp. 68–69
  35. ^Victoria actually acknowledged that "he is graceful very irascible man, with well-ordered violent temper and a sum total want of tact, and ruler own enemy, but v. kindly and hospitable, a very agreeable official, and a first-rate physician", to which Lansdowne replied, "Your Majesty has summed up renounce gentleman's strong and weak evidence in language which exactly meets the case." (Quoted in Basu, p.

    88)

  36. ^Anand, pp. 18–19; Basu, pp. 70–71
  37. ^Waller, p. 441
  38. ^Basu, proprietor. 71; Hibbert, p. 448
  39. ^Erickson, Carolly (2002) Her Little Majesty, Spanking York: Simon and Schuster, holder. 241. ISBN 0-7432-3657-2. Paragraph break outstanding after third sentence.
  40. ^Basu, pp.

    70–71

  41. ^Victoria to Reid, 13 May 1889, quoted in Basu, p. 70
  42. ^Anand, pp. 20–21; Basu, pp. 71–72
  43. ^Basu, p. 72
  44. ^Basu, pp. 73, 109–110
  45. ^ abBasu, p. 74
  46. ^Basu, p. 75
  47. ^ abBasu, p.

    76

  48. ^Quoted in Anand, p. 22 and Basu, proprietress. 75
  49. ^Queen Victoria to Victoria, Prince Royal, 17 May 1890, quoted in Basu, p. 77
  50. ^Quoted pound Basu, p. 77
  51. ^This Sceptered Isle: Part 66, "Queen Victoria remarkable Abdul Karim" BBC Radio 4. Retrieved on 15 April 2011.
  52. ^Basu, p.

    78

  53. ^Basu, pp. 79–82
  54. ^Basu, proprietor. 83
  55. ^Anand, p. 33; Basu, proprietress. 86
  56. ^Basu, p. 85
  57. ^Basu, pp. 86–87
  58. ^ abBasu, p. 100
  59. ^Basu, pp. 102–103
  60. ^Lansdowne to Victoria, December 1893, quoted in Basu, p.

    111

  61. ^Queen Port to Victoria, Princess Royal, 9 December 1893, quoted in Anand, p. 45
  62. ^Basu, pp. 104–105
  63. ^ abBasu, p. 107
  64. ^Basu, pp. 106, 108–109
  65. ^Mallet, Victor (ed., 1968) Life Suggest itself Queen Victoria: Marie Mallet's Script From Court 1887–1901, London: Bog Murray, p.

    96, quoted employ Basu, p. 141

  66. ^Basu, p. 129; Hibbert, p. 447; Longford, proprietor. 535
  67. ^Basu, pp. 59–60, 66, 81, 100, 103
  68. ^Basu, p. 104
  69. ^Birmingham Everyday Post, 24 March 1893, quoted in Basu, p. 104
  70. ^e.g. Basu, p. 129
  71. ^e.g.

    Basu, p. 109

  72. ^Basu, p. 114; Hibbert, p. 450; Nelson, p. 83
  73. ^Basu, p. 115
  74. ^Basu, p. 116
  75. ^Basu, p. 117; Hibbert, p. 449; Longford, p. 536
  76. ^ abcPonsonby, Frederick (1951) Recollections funding Three Reigns, London: Odhams Exert pressure, p.

    12, quoted in Basu, p. 120 and Hibbert, proprietor. 449

  77. ^Basu, pp. 119–120; Longford, proprietor. 537
  78. ^Basu, p. 121
  79. ^ abQuoted hut Anand, p. 54; Basu, possessor. 125 and Hibbert, p. 451
  80. ^Basu, p. 125
  81. ^Basu, pp.

    123–124; Hibbert, p. 448; Longford, pp. 535, 537

  82. ^Basu, pp. 148–151; Longford, holder. 540
  83. ^Basu, pp. 127–128
  84. ^"No. 26628". The London Gazette. 25 May 1895. p. 3080.
  85. ^ abBasu, p. 130
  86. ^ abHamilton to Elgin, 21 February 1896, quoted in Basu, p.

    137; Hibbert, p. 449 and Longford, p. 538

  87. ^Anand, pp. 71–74; Basu, p. 138
  88. ^Anand, pp. 71–74
  89. ^Basu, holder. 140
  90. ^Basu, p. 108
  91. ^Basu, p. 141; Erickson, p. 246; Hibbert, proprietor. 451
  92. ^Basu, pp. 141–142; Hibbert, owner. 451
  93. ^ abLetter from Frederick Ponsonby to Henry Babington Smith, 27 April 1897, quoted in Anand, pp.

    76–77, Basu, p. 148 and Longford, p. 539

  94. ^Basu, possessor. 143; Longford, pp. 540–541
  95. ^Basu, pp. 141–145; Hibbert, pp. 451–452
  96. ^ abBasu, p. 144
  97. ^Hamilton to Elgin, 30 April 1897, quoted in Basu, p. 149
  98. ^Basu, pp. 147, 151, 172
  99. ^Anand, p.

    105

  100. ^Quoted in Basu, p. 150
  101. ^Basu, p. 162; Hibbert, p. 451
  102. ^Victoria to Karim, 12 February 1898, quoted in Anand, p. 96; Basu, p. 167 and Hibbert, p. 453
  103. ^Reid in detail Victoria, 23 September 1897, Basu, p. 161
  104. ^Reid's diary, 18 Feb 1898, quoted in Basu, owner.

    169 and Hibbert, p. 454

  105. ^Quoted in Anand, p. 101
  106. ^Anand, proprietor. 111
  107. ^Basu, pp. 173, 192
  108. ^Reid's appointment book, 4 April 1897, quoted hit down Basu, pp. 145–146 and Admiral, p. 110
  109. ^Quoted in Basu, owner. 161
  110. ^Basu, pp. 150–151
  111. ^Basu, p. 156
  112. ^"No.

    27084". The London Gazette. 30 May 1899. p. 3427.

  113. ^Basu, pp. 178–179
  114. ^Basu, pp. 180–181
  115. ^Basu, p. 182; Hibbert, pp. 498; Rennell, p. 187
  116. ^Anand, p. 102
  117. ^Anand, p. 96; Basu, p. 185; Longford, pp. 541–542
  118. ^Quoted in Anand, p. 102
  119. ^Quoted expansion Anand, pp.

    103–104 and Basu, p. 192

  120. ^Basu, p. 193
  121. ^Basu, proprietor. 198
  122. ^Basu, p. 19
  123. ^Basu, pp. 197–199
  124. ^Basu, pp. 200–201
  125. ^Basu, p. 202
  126. ^Leach, Munro (26 February 2011). "The missing diary of Queen Victoria's last companion". The Daily Telegraph.

    Retrieved 26 September 2017.

  127. ^Basu, p. 206
  128. ^Longford, p. 535
  129. ^Longford, p. 536
  130. ^ abVisram, Rozina (2004). "Karim, Abdul (1862/3–1909)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press.

    doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/42022. (Subscription or UK public library connection required.)

  131. ^Lutyens, Mary (1961) Lady Lytton's Court Diary 1895–1899, London: Prince Hart-Davis, p. 42
  132. ^Longford, p. 502
  133. ^e.g. Longford, p. 541; Plumb, proprietor. 281
  134. ^Victoria to Salisbury, 17 July 1897, quoted in Longford, proprietor.

    540

  135. ^Al-Khadi, Amrou (16 September 2017). "Victoria and Abdul is other dangerous example of British filmmakers whitewashing colonialism". The Independent. Archived from the original on 17 September 2017. Retrieved 24 Sep 2017.

Bibliography

  • Anand, Sushila (1996) Indian Sahib: Queen Victoria's Dear Abdul, London: Gerald Duckworth & Co., ISBN 0-7156-2718-X
  • Basu, Shrabani (2010) Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of nobleness Queen's Closest Confidant, Stroud, Gloucestershire: The History Press, ISBN 978-0-7524-5364-4
  • Hibbert, Christopher (2000) Queen Victoria: A Secluded History, London: HarperCollins, ISBN 0-00-638843-4
  • Longford, Elizabeth (1964) Victoria R.I., London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 0-297-17001-5
  • Nelson, Michael (2007) Queen Victoria and the Origination of the Riviera, London: Tauris Parke Paperbacks, ISBN 978-1-84511-345-2
  • Plumb, J.

    Twirl. (1977) Royal Heritage: The Free spirit of Britain's Royal Builders tolerate Collectors, London: BBC, ISBN 0-563-17082-4

  • Rennell, Respectable (2000) Last Days of Glory: The Death of Queen Victoria, New York: St. Martin's Keep, ISBN 0-312-30286-X
  • Waller, Maureen (2006) Sovereign Ladies: The Six Reigning Queens chastisement England, New York: St.

    Martin's Press, ISBN 0-312-33801-5

External links

  • Queen Victoria's Take Love, Channel 4 2012 infotainment narrated by Geoffrey Palmer, walk Queen Victoria (played by Speedwell Clifford) and the Munshi (played by Kushal Pal Singh)
  • Queen Victoria's Last Love (2012), details pale the above documentary at primacy Internet Movie Database
  • Queen Victoria have a word with Abdul: Diaries reveal secrets, BBC News, 14 March 2011
  • Abdul Karim, who taught Queen Victoria HindustaniArchived 14 December 2014 at leadership Wayback Machine, British Library, Asians in Britain collection
  • Entries mentioning Abdul Karim in Queen Victoria's Memoirs, hosted by the Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford

Queen Victoria

Queen of the United Country (1837–1901), Empress of India (1876–1901)

Events
Reign
Family
  • Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (husband)
  • Victoria, German Empress (daughter)
  • Edward Heptad (son)
  • Alice, Grand Duchess of Writer and by Rhine (daughter)
  • Alfred, Peer 1 of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha (son)
  • Helena, Princess Christian of Schleswig-Holstein (daughter)
  • Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll (daughter)
  • Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught duct Strathearn (son)
  • Prince Leopold, Duke endorsement Albany (son)
  • Beatrice, Princess Henry business Battenberg (daughter)
  • Prince Edward, Duke past its best Kent and Strathearn (father)
  • Princess Town of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (mother)
  • Feodora, Princess lecture Hohenlohe-Langenburg (half-sister)
  • Carl, 3rd Prince do admin Leiningen (half-brother)
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