 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 . Victoria came to like him a great deal and gave him the title of " Munshi " , an Urdu word often translated as " clerk " or " teacher " . Victoria appointed him her Indian Secretary , showered him with honours , and obtained a land grant for him in India . 
