The Munshi Abdul Karim entered Queen Victoria’s service in 1887 as her personal Indian servant. Munshi means writer or secretary and was the title used in British India for native language teachers or secretaries. In 1888 he became the Queen’s official Indian Secretary. He taught her Hindi and she considered him ‘a perfect gentleman’. On his accession to the throne, however, Edward VII sent the Munshi back to India. He was given a Royal Household pension in 1901 and died in Agra.

Signed and dated: R Swoboda 88.