147. Queen Victoria: Empress of India (Ep 4)

This podcast episode is a discussion between two hosts, Ali Ansari and William Dalrymple, about Queen Victoria's life, focusing on the period after Prince Albert's death. The discussion covers Victoria's relationships with John Brown and Abdul Karim, her emotional state following Albert's death, and the significant events of her Golden and Diamond Jubilees, including the Delhi Durbar. The hosts highlight Victoria's complex relationship with her empire, particularly India, and her eventual adoption of the title Empress of India. A key takeaway is the discovery of previously unknown letters and documents by Shrabani Basu, revealing intimate details of Victoria's life and relationships. The episode provides a nuanced portrait of Victoria, challenging common perceptions of her reign.