Victoria and Abdul

Reading the book - Victoria and Abdul. The book titles as "The True Story of the Queen's closest confidant."

Gives a very romantic flair, at least that was my initial impression and it did indeed grow when i learnt that the said Abdul, was taken to Britain to wait at Queen Victoria's tables and soon rose to a unique position of the Queen's Munshi. He taught her hindustani and urdu, indian customs and in later years, he became first Personal Indian Clerk to the Queen, and later her Indian Secretary. However, on reading the book, the story unfolds of a Queen with a motherly regard for her Munshi. Something which is not lost on the royal family and which soon becomes a reason for dispute and anger.

The plot thickens with accusations of espionage from Abdul, the Queen's staff threatening to resign rather than work with Abdul but Queen Victoria would have none of it. She continued to shower favors upon Abdul Karim. She helped him bring his family to Britain at the royal expense and had them lodged in the grounds of royal palaces.

Well this one has so far proven and promises to continue to be an interesting read.