Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan

March is women's history month, at least here in the U.S. (I'm never sure if these months and days are an international thing. Earlier this week, it was Polar Bear Awareness day). Why do we need a woman's history month? Well, according to holiday and some textbooks (older ones), women just cooked, cried, and popped at babies, when they weren't being sluts. Thank good for PBS and other networks that show us differently.Of course, here in the U.S., we only care about American women cause those Europeans are strange, chopping off thier wives' heads and everything.Which is a shame because the story of Noor Inayat Khan should be more widely known, especially here in the U.S. Born in Moscow, to an Indian father (a princely son of a royal house) and an American mother (herself a version of American royalty), raised in Britian and France, Noor Khan was an international child before the term was really thought of. Look at how many countries can claim her.Upon the invasion of France, Noor and most of her family (her father had died by then, one brother stayed) fled to Britian. Noor Khan eventually joined S.O.E. She was a highly princpled, perhaps overly idealstic woman who did not believe in lying. For instance, she told the British comittee that was interviewing her for a comission, extactly what she thought about Indian Independence. A view that differed greatly from theirs, yet she was awarded the comission anyway, and recommended to SOE.She was also a musician and rather talented children's author who believe strongly in fighting aganist the Nazis. Trained by the SOE as a wireless operator, Khan was sent to occupied France to join the ill-fated Prosper circuit. On the circuit's collaspe, she stayed on step of the Getaspo (including some very close calls), and despite great personal risk, kept transmitting. When she was captured, it was because she was betrayed.Khan's story is impressive in two ways. First, despite her royal princess status, Khan seems to have been an everywoman. She might have beena princess, but money was tight. She was bound to her family in much the way many of us are today. At times, she suffered from depression and a desire to find herself. Second, despite the luke warm recommandations of some of her SOE instructors, despite her "soft" upbringing, Khan did not break during her capture. In fact, unlike some of her male counterparts (manly man who would do things), Khan did not break, did not work with the Nazis, or plead for her life. If Anne Frank is used as a door to the Holocaust, Noor Khan should be an example for the power of the human spirit to stay true to principle and cause despite the evils visitied upon a body. She needs more than just an Indian (Bollywood) biopic.Basu seesm to have written the book under the asupices of the Inayat Khan estate/society, yet her biography is balanced and she does consider the stress of a famous family on the children.Khan's book is still in print and intersted readers should also pick it up.

"SPY PRINCESS"; The Life of Noor Inayat Khan was as unique a story as any fictional novel could be. The only difference is ... this story was true. Noor Inayat Khan was born to the union of an American journalist, Ora Ray Baker, and Hazrat Inayat Khan, a descendant from the Tipu Sultan of India who led an uprising against the British in 1799.The author, Shrabani Basu does a superb job of delving both into the mystical side of Noor Khan as well as, the secular side of her life and her work as a spy for British intelligence.Here is a book that portrays a real patriot, and... a real avatar. The reader can not help but see that Noor Khan actually takes on a "Christ figure" in her life as well as in her death. She is "Arjuna" from the Bhagavad-Gita, and at the same time, she emanates the incarnate spirit of a real Joan of Arc.Noor's artistic side is no less impressive. She was a writer of children's books (Twenty Jataka Tales), poetry, and indulged in various classical arts.On the secular side, Noor Khan was an exceptional patriot who becomes a member of the British SOE and was recruited for special assignment behind enemy lines in occupied France (her adopted country), during WWII. She becomes the first female wireless operator to enter France and the last wireless operator in Paris before her betrayal and arrest by the Gestapo.The author indicates that Noor Khan was totally truthful. A fact that may have sealed her fate even while still training in England. During the war, India was struggling for its own independence and was a real possible threat to Britan. When she appeared before a board that would either pass or fail her in on-going spy training, she was asked; what she thought of the Indian situation, and... which side would she support in case of conflict. Ms. Khan told the board she would, if necessary, stand for India against England...after the war with Germany. Despite the disapproving grunts she was still passed on for further training. I can not help but wonder if, the British government sent her into "harms way" knowing... that her survival chances were more than slim.None the less, Noor Inayat Khan chose to follow her path(karma), and like Joan of Arc... met her end and was burned at the martyrs alter.This is a very strong and tragic story, but one that should be read and felt by everyone!

I don't often find myself reading a book cover to cover in one sitting but for this one i did. Noor Inayat Khan, what a beautiful soul to have graced this earth with her presence. May she RIP. Thank you for your service Noor and thank you to the author for telling her story so well.

Shrabani Basu's research appears most impressive and from the relatively few outstanding events in her life she has succeeded in making this a readable account of this heroine's life.That said, the editorial team could have made a much better job of making sense of the multitude of characters by at least listing them in alphabetical order in Appendix II and anyone reading this would hardly need the historical details in Appendix III. As for Appendix IV - these names have sadly been neglected for so long by the British authorities that their inclusion here is not only incongruous with the European theatre of war but with the aim of the book. I for one recognise the great debt that they are still owed but this was not the place to highlight it.Additionally, and annoyingly (for the error was repeated) the phrase is: "On the one hand ... on the other," with both definite articles included.

Not a very good book. A bland recounting of facts from her life but tells us nothing about who she really was and ignores her Sufi upbringing.Twice refers to her as a theosophist, but she wasn't -- Theosophy is very different from Sufism. It refers to her royal heritage (Spy Princess) when in reality the Sultan she was descended from lived centuries ago -- a princess is the daughter of a king or the wife of a Prince! However, if you just want the bare facts, it's good enough. Some details are confusing: how many brothers/cousins are in the musical group of her father? It changes all the time!

This is a book that should be read - a book that those who teach History in schools, colleges and universities should include on their reading lists when teaching this period in History, because this woman's story - her story - is truly remarkable. If we wish to teach [young] people values such as strength, courage, determination and perseverance, what it is to have faith and stand up for your beliefs and human rights against the odds - even if that means suffering and sacrificing your own life for it - then we can teach it and learn it from people such as Noor Inayat Khan. Reading this book has touched me profoundly and changed the way I view a great many things in these materialistic, superficial societies we have evolved into.Highly recommended - reading it is a life experience not to be missed.

Incredible. The members of the SOE should be honoured and remembered. I had the pleasure of visiting Noor’s memorial in Gordon Square. What a brave and courageous young woman. There were many courageous, men and women. A generation with values and beliefs we need to connect to and with. Let us not become so dumbed down and lost that we become less authentic and true than the likes of Noor and her peers.Thank you Noor and all of the known and unknown of her ilk. May God bless you all, and God bless us all. Xxxx