Abdul Karim (the Munshi)

Hafiz Mohammed Abdul Karim CIE, CVO (1863–1909) known as “the Munshi”, was an Indian Muslim attendant of Queen Victoria. He served her during the final fifteen years of her reign, gaining her maternal affection over that time. Karim was born near Jhansi in British India, the son of a hospital assistant. In 1887, Victoria’s Golden Jubilee year, Karim was one of two Indians selected to become servants to the Queen.