Q 1.In this year's Republic Day parade, only one army unit, the 61st Cavalry, has confirmed participation. This unit is special because...

a. It is the only all-women's cavalry unit.
b. It is the only operating horse-borne unit.
c. The entire Indian polo team is from this unit.

Q 2. DRDO has set up a factory in Leh to make...

a. Herbal beverages.
b. Missile parts.
c. High-altitude military gear.

Q 3. India's two post offices in Antarctica are listed under the...

a. Srinagar postal circle
b. Antarctica postal circle.
c. Goa postal circle

Answers: 1.(b), 2.(a), 3.(c)

HERITAGE
This Black Sheep Mentored an Emperor

PANNING INTO THE PAST: Mishra in Agra; (below) Khan

About two years ago, Bhubaneswar-based filmmaker Prithwiraj Mishra met a former university mate for coffee. The friend, by now a senior diplomat, advised Mishra to make a film on Bairam Khan. Despite his history degree(s), Mishra confesses he couldn't place Khan immediately. It took a little reading to do that. Next followed a proposal to the mea and a film was commissioned.

Khan-Humayun's confidant and Akbar's mentor-was one of the builders of the Mughal empire. He belonged to the Qara Qiunlu (Black Sheep) tribe of modern Turkmenistan, was born in Badakshan, Afghanistan, and went with Humayun to exile in Iran before coming back to triumph and tragedy in zameen-e-Hindustan. His life is part of that great timeless intercourse between Central Asia and India that has only gained vigour with the defeat of the Taliban. Mishra's documentary has been shot on location in India and Iran and should be ready this spring.

MUSIC REVIEW
Ragas Stamped with Individuality

Madhup Mudgal does not lay claims to any gharana. "My style stems from that of Gwalior but I have amalgamated from various gurus. To be different is always thrilling," says Mudgal.

MADHUP MUDGAL (HMV; Rs 70)

This product of Modern School, Delhi, who used to play the guitar in his youth, was initiated into Hindustani classical music by his father Pandit Vinaya Chandra Maudagalaya. He has had the tutelage of Vasant Thakar and Pandit Jasraj but the abiding influence on his music has been that of Pandit Kumar Gandharva.

And this influence is evident in this album, which comprises two morning ragas-Ahir Bhairav and Todi. Mudgal's rendition is bound to raise a few eyebrows as the ubiquitous Ahir Bhairav in his treatment uses both the flat and sharp types of the second note Rishabh. The more commonly heard version of this raga uses only the flat Rishabh.

On the flip side is raga Todi, including Nee mai maslat pucchaniya, a khayal set to madhyalaya teentaal. Mudgal's sonorous voice and individual style flowers well in this album: an intelligent and thoughtful blend of the traditional and the creative. A good buy for morning listening.

-S. Sahaya Ranjit

Before filing reports, Indian intelligence agencies consult Pakistani website www.defencejournal.com/globe and Babaji, astrologer Lachman Das Madan's mag ...The Net is full of stories that Mrs Musharraf has gone house hunting in America ...Lok Sabha Speaker G.M.C. Balayogi flew to Botswana for a Commonwealth conference ... Farmers in Harda, Madhya Pradesh, have sought Aamir Lagaan Khan's help in a battle against an increase in taxes ... Harpal Singh of Leeds United is the first ethnic Indian to figure in an English Premier League soccer squad ... There's a furore in pc circles because George W. Bush referred to Pakistanis as "Pakis". It's apparently pejorative.