Noor Inayat Khan, WWII Spy of Indian Origin, Honoured With a Special French Stamp

Noor Inayat Khan – the legendary World War II undercover agent of Indian descent and a direct descendant of the 18th-century Mysore ruler Tipu Sultan – has become the only woman of Indian origin to receive a dedicated French postage stamp for her heroic role in the French Resistance.

The commemorative stamp was released by La Poste as part of a special collection honouring twelve extraordinary men and women whose courage shaped the resistance movement during WWII. This release also coincides with the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, making the tribute especially significant.

“I am thrilled that France has honoured Noor Inayat Khan with a postage stamp, especially on this landmark 80th anniversary of the end of the war,” said Shrabani Basu – the London-based author of Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan, which documents Noor’s remarkable journey.

Basu added, “Noor gave her life fighting Nazism. It is heartening to see her face on a postal stamp that people across France will use. She was born and raised in Paris and later contributed to the war effort from england.”

Each stamp in the series has been created using etched illustrations derived from archival photographs. Noor’s stamp depicts her in the uniform of the British Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), capturing the authenticity of her wartime role.

Noor’s legacy has been recognised internationally. Britain marked her centenary in 2014, and both the UK and France have previously issued tributes in her honour. “India, the country of her ancestors, should also celebrate her with a postage stamp,” Basu added.

Who Was Noor Inayat Khan?

Born in Moscow in 1914 to an American mother and an Indian Sufi saint father, Noor-un-Nisa Inayat Khan spent much of her early life in Paris before moving to London. Following the German invasion of France, her family fled to England, where Noor enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force.

On February 8, 1943, she joined the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a covert British organisation established to conduct espionage, sabotage, and reconnaissance in Nazi-occupied territories.

In June 1943, Noor became the first female wireless operator infiltrated into occupied France. Despite the immense danger, she continued transmitting crucial messages to London until she was captured by the Gestapo. She was eventually deported to the Dachau concentration camp, where she was tortured and executed on September 13, 1944 – at just 30 years old.

Honours for Her Bravery

Noor Inayat Khan received multiple prestigious awards for her heroic sacrifice, including:

• George Cross (GC) – Britain’s highest civilian award for bravery, bestowed posthumously in 1949
• Croix de Guerre – France’s distinguished military honour
• French Resistance Medal

Her contributions remain a powerful symbol of courage, integrity, and resistance against tyranny.

About the New French Stamp Series

The newly released collection by La Poste honours several key figures who risked their lives in clandestine operations – from sabotage missions to intelligence-gathering networks – ensuring France remained on the “side of honour” during the war.

The series also includes notable personalities such as:

• Violette Szabo – Another celebrated British-French SOE agent who was executed at Ravensbrück concentration camp.
• Jean-Pierre Levy – Founder of “France Libre,” one of the most influential French Resistance movements.

The stamp collection stands as a reminder of the extraordinary resilience of resistance fighters like Noor, whose legacy continues to inspire future generations.