Shrabani Basu is an accomplished journalist and author specializing in historical nonfiction. She is best known for her works "Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan," which explores the story of a World War II heroine, and "Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen's Closest Confidant," a detailed account of Queen Victoria's relationship with her Indian attendant. Her book "Curry: The Story of the Nation's Favourite Dish" delves into the cultural history of Britain's beloved cuisine. Basu's works often highlight lesser-known historical narratives with meticulous research and engaging storytelling.
Beginning her career as a trainee journalist at The Times of India in 1983, Basu later became the London correspondent for the Ananda Bazar Patrika group, contributing to publications such as "Sunday," "Ananda Bazar Patrika," and "The Telegraph." Her dedication to preserving history extended beyond writing - she founded the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust, which successfully unveiled a memorial for the wartime spy in 2012. Basu holds degrees in History from St Stephen’s College, Delhi, and Delhi University, which inform her rigorous approach to historical narratives. Her works continue to shed light on cross-cultural connections and overlooked figures in history.