France Honours British Indian Spy & Tipu Sultan’s Descendant Noor
In a remarkable tribute, France has honoured Noor Inayat Khan, a descendant of Tipu Sultan and a World War II undercover British agent, with a commemorative postage stamp. This makes her the only Indian-origin woman to receive such a tribute. Noor’s bravery and sacrifice during the war have been recognized and celebrated by France, a country she worked tirelessly to help liberate from German occupation.
Noor Inayat Khan was born on January 1, 1914, in Moscow, Russia, to an Indian father and an American mother. Her father, Inayat Khan, was a musician and a Sufi teacher who was a direct descendant of Tipu Sultan, the legendary ruler of Mysore. Noor’s family moved to London when she was a child, and she grew up in a culturally rich and diverse environment. She was educated at the Sorbonne in Paris and later worked as a children’s author and a musician.
When World War II broke out, Noor joined the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and later became a spy for the British Special Operations Executive (SOE). She was trained in wireless operation and sent to France in 1943 to work as a radio operator for the SOE. Her mission was to send crucial information back to London about German troop movements and other military activities. Noor worked under the codename “Madeleine” and became an integral part of the French Resistance.
Noor’s work in France was extremely dangerous, and she was constantly at risk of being caught by the Germans. She used her skills and resourcefulness to evade capture, but eventually, she was betrayed by a French double agent and arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. Noor was subjected to intense interrogation and torture, but she refused to reveal any information about her work or her fellow agents. She was eventually sent to the Pforzheim prison in Germany, where she was kept in solitary confinement.
In 1944, Noor was transferred to the Dachau concentration camp, where she was executed by firing squad on September 13, 1944. Her bravery and sacrifice were recognized by the British government, which awarded her the George Cross, the highest civilian honour in the UK. Noor was also awarded the Croix de Guerre, France’s highest civilian honour, for her work with the French Resistance.
The commemorative postage stamp issued by France is a fitting tribute to Noor’s bravery and sacrifice. The stamp features a portrait of Noor in her SOE uniform, with a wireless operator’s badge on her sleeve. The stamp is a reminder of the important role that Noor played in the war effort and the sacrifices she made for the freedom of France and the world.
Noor’s story is an inspiration to people around the world, and her legacy continues to be celebrated by people of all ages. She was a true heroine of World War II, and her bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten. The commemorative postage stamp issued by France is a testament to the enduring power of Noor’s story and the impact she had on the world.
In recent years, Noor’s story has gained widespread recognition, and she has become a symbol of courage and resilience. Her life and work have been the subject of several books, films, and documentaries, and she has been recognized as one of the most important women of World War II. The commemorative postage stamp issued by France is a welcome addition to the many tributes that have been paid to Noor’s memory.
In conclusion, the commemorative postage stamp issued by France in honour of Noor Inayat Khan is a fitting tribute to her bravery and sacrifice. Noor’s story is an inspiration to people around the world, and her legacy continues to be celebrated by people of all ages. She was a true heroine of World War II, and her bravery and selflessness will never be forgotten.
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