Queen Victoria's Hindustani journal makes public debut

World
Europe

A journal showing how Britain's 19th century monarch Queen Victoria learned to write Hindustani has gone on public display for the first time recently, at Osborne, the queen's home on the Isle of Wight.

The diary brings to life the remarkable true story, now captured in a blockbuster movie, of the friendship between the widowed queen and Abdul Karim, her Indian servant and tutor.

An extract from her Hindustani diary /PA Photo

The diary, showing how Victoria learned to write Hindustani under the tutelage of Karim, has been loaned by Queen Elizabeth to Osborne from the Royal Archive.

Dating from 1895, the incredibly rare diary shows Urdu characters in Queen Victoria's own handwriting, above Abdul Karim's careful instruction. Alongside the journal are two signed photographs of Abdul at Osborne, also on display for the first time. Victoria spent many hours with her "Munshi" (teacher) Abdul Karim.

A photo of Abdul Karim on display at Osborne /Photo via English Heritage

"The diary gives an intimate glimpse into the relationship of Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim. It's fascinating to see this elaborate script in her own handwriting, and the painstaking way that Abdul set out the lessons,” said Michael Hunter, English Heritage's Curator at Osborne.

The diary is on show from September 15 to September 30.

(Cover photo: Victoria became Britain’s Queen on June 20, 1837. /Getty Images)

9192km