Five Badass Female Spies Who Stepped Into Enemy Territory Undeterred

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 five 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.

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 intp 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.

Saraswati Rajamani, Pic credit: Storypick

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.

Noor Inayat Khan, Pic credit: Mirror.co.uk

Read Also: China Deports US Bizwoman For ‘Espionage’

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

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.

Azizun-bai, Pic credit: The Wire

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.

Durga Bhabhi, Pic credit: Indiatimes

Sehmat Khan

Sehmat's role was played by Alia Bhatt in 2018 film Raazi. She was actually an Indian-Kashmiri girl who went undercover in Pakistan. She was married to a young Pakistani army officer. However, she played a very crucial role during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. One of her biggest contributions was that Pakistan was planning to sink INS Viraat, a Centaur-class aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. Due to her courage and bravery, Indian forces were one step ahead of the Pak Rangers and prevented this crisis.

Later when she returned back to India she was pregnant with a child from her Pakistani husband and same child is right now serving in the defence forces.

Later when she returned back to India she was pregnant with a child from her Pakistani husband and same child is right now serving in the defence forces.

Sehmat Khan, Pic credit: Metrosaga

Read Also: Meet Alia The Spy In Meghna Gulzar’s ‘Raazi’

Picture: STP

Divya Tripathi is an intern with SheThePeople.TV