The tall, handsome Abdul Karim was just twenty-four years old when he arrived in England from Agra to wait at tables during Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. An assistant clerk at Agra Central Jail, he suddenly found himself a personal attendant to the Empress of India herself. Within a year, he was established as a powerful figure at court, becoming the queen's teacher, or Munshi, and instructing her in Urdu and Indian affairs. Devastated by the death of John Brown, her Scottish gillie, the queen had at last found his replacement. But her intense and controversial relationship with the Munshi led to a near-revolt in the royal household. "Victoria & Abdul" examines how a young Indian Muslim came to play a central role at the heart of the Empire, and his influence over the queen at a time when independence movements in the sub-continent were growing in force. Yet, at its heart, it is a tender love story between an ordinary Indian and his elderly queen, a relationship that survived the best attempts to destroy it.
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'totally absorbing' The Telegraph 'An extraordinary story of affection, friendship and loyalty' Hello Magazine 'masterfully told' OR 'a melange of history, drama and fantasy' The Dawn
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I found this book to be a fascinating insight into the household of Queen Victoria. It's quite incredible that a hundred years ago, a British Queen befriended an indian muslim, not only that, but she learnt to read, write and yes speak Urdu. It really changed my opinion of the queen and showed that she was in fact a very compassionate woman who did not hold any bigotry towards indians or indeed muslims. For this insight alone, i think the book is worth it, it's scarcely plausible now to imagine a British muslim as an aide to the prime minister/queen, this book captures what it was to be in her household. The unspoken parallels of his association with a british muslim intellectual of the time (Rafiuddin) and the british establishment's belief that he might be a malcontent when in fact he stated Britain might be a positive force in India are quite amusing when compared with this day and age. Now too, muslims are apt to be tarred and feathered merely for meeting other muslims, who might not even be radical, just perceived to be so. It seems some things just don't change.
I would have liked the book to be a bit longer and discuss more of what happened to Abdul Karim after Queen Victoria passed away, there are suggestions that Abdul Karim grew pompous in his old age, i would like to have seen that expanded, but like another review stated, it let's people draw their own conclusions. After all, class and status are so utterly artificial, when we die, people remember us for our actions, not the wealth we accumulated. I now remember Abdul Karim as the man who taught Queen Victoria Urdu, and care little for the man who sought to leave a cushy life in Agra in his retirement.
I would have liked the book to be a bit longer and discuss more of what happened to Abdul Karim after Queen Victoria passed away, there are suggestions that Abdul Karim grew pompous in his old age, i would like to have seen that expanded, but like another review stated, it let's people draw their own conclusions. After all, class and status are so utterly artificial, when we die, people remember us for our actions, not the wealth we accumulated. I now remember Abdul Karim as the man who taught Queen Victoria Urdu, and care little for the man who sought to leave a cushy life in Agra in his retirement.
9 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By R. DEY
Format:Hardcover
Victoria and Abdul: The True Story of the Queens' Closest Confidant
The book presents an unbiased record of a relationship between an empress and her loyal servant. The book allows the reader to draw his/her own conclusion which is refeshing.
The book presents an unbiased record of a relationship between an empress and her loyal servant. The book allows the reader to draw his/her own conclusion which is refeshing.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book allows the reader to enter into the private world of Queen Victoria, who's emotional life is revealed through the friendship and dramas surrounding Abul karim.
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