Abdul Karim was an Indian Muslim who served as Queen Victoria's personal attendant and teacher in the last years of her reign - enjoying what was arguably an even closer relationship with her than did her Scottish servant, John Brown, who died in 1883UK-based journalist Shrabani Basu unearthed a previously undiscovered diary in Karachi which belonged to Mr Karim. It contains details of his intimate relationship with the queen in the years between her golden and diamond jubilees.

‘deep friendship’