NOT SO 'SPY'IES!!!!!

In the midst of Freedom Fighters and brave soldiers, some stories remain untold. We all remember the big names like Bhagat Singh or Subhash Chandra Bose but how many of us know some of the real heroes who actually supported them by remaining behind the curtains. Some women and their contributions to this country are exemplary yet unknown. Especially, in the field of espionage which is often considered to be a ‘masculine’ job that requires strength and bravery.

However, some exceptional women of our country have proven that gender doesn’t matter when it comes to serving the nation. Let’s get to know some of these women who fearlessly stepped into the enemy territory without a second thought. Whose contribution made a huge difference and their inspiring life journey broke all gender stereotypes. So here are those badass female Indian spies you must know:

Saraswathy Rajamani

She is one of the pioneers when it comes to Indian spies. Rajamani belonged to a wealthy family, and as her father was a close subordinate of Netaji (Subhash Chandra Bose), she was very influenced by his thoughts. She was just 16 years old when she decided to join the Indian forces to battle against British Imperial Rule. A highly motivated teenager she donated all her jewellery for the cause INA (Azad Hind Fauj) was fighting for. On seeing her courage and determination Netaji included her in the army.

She was given the most difficult job of spying on the British forces and to pass on all the information. She and five other girls disguised themselves as boys and snooped on the British. Once one of her friend’s identity was disclosed and the British captured her. However, brave Rajamani went undercover into the enemy’s territory and drugged them in order to save her friend. They both escaped but unfortunately, Rajmani got a bullet shot on her leg. Today this courageous spy lives a very simple and average life.

Noor Inayat Khan

Born in 1914 in Moscow, to Hazrat Inayat Khan, she was a direct descendant of Tipu Sultan (18th-century Muslim ruler of Mysore). She worked as a secret agent in the Special Operations Executive (SOE). It was created by the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Winston Churchill during the Second World War. The main aim of this organisation was to sabotage the Nazi front.

Khan was the first woman radio operator sent into Nazi-occupied France deployed by Churchill. She managed to transmit some of the important strategies and plans made by the German forces. Unfortunately, she was arrested and executed by the German secret police force (Gestapo). Before the execution, she was captured and tortured by Nazis, it is said that she also attempted to escape jail. She was posthumously awarded the George Cross in 1949 for her bravery.

Azizun Bai

Unlike other women, Azizun had no personal motive to join the freedom struggle. She was just heavily influenced and motivated by Nana Sahib and Tatya Tope’s struggle against British rule. She used to dress up like male sepoy and always carried a pistol with her. Her house was a major meeting point for other Indian sepoys.

Azizun was a prostitute by profession; she used to leak major information of all the British officials who visited her brothel. She was so efficient with her work that she was even invited by the British officials in their parties for entertainment. During those days she even secretly assassinated some of the British officers.

Durga Bhabhi or Durga Devivas

She was married at a very young age to Professor Bhagwati Charan Vohra who was a revolutionary. He died while testing a bomb with Chandra Shekhar Azad leaving young Durga behind. So Durga herself was very closely attached to the freedom struggle. She was a revolutionary woman and spy. Once she introduced herself as Bhagat Singh’s wife to save him. She had a deep influence and connections with the members of the Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (HSRA).

On a mission to dupe over 500 policemen travelling in the same train, Bhagat Singh and Durga acted like a couple and Rajguru as their servant. She even sold her jewels worth of 3,000 rupees at that time in order to rescue Bhagat Singh. After independence, she lived her life in exclusion in Ghaziabad and opened a school in the Purana Kila area of Lucknow. She died in 1999 at the age of 92.

Bibi Sharan Kaur

Sharni was an 18 year old Hindu girl living in the North West Frontier Province. Kidnapped on her wedding by a group of fierce dacoits, Sharni was freed by the army of Hari Singh Nalwa, the great commander of Sikh empire. Grateful to Nalwa for having been freed her from doom, Sharni took up Sikhism and became Sharangat Kaur, a Khalsa warrior and a shrewd spy. At a time when Nalwa was facing the ferocious Pathan tribes of North East and their cruel leader, Dost Mohammad, Sharan braved to go where no Sikh Man would go.

Even history fails to prove his unbiasedness, these unsung heroes often get lost in the test of its times. Their roles are as important as their names...probably not to be glorified in history...These unsung legends have not only shattered the myths of masculinity...but have gone a way beyond the male chauvinists...Unlike history...they stood loyal to their fame...Only to be heard no more.

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